Test Plan And Operational Suitability Of The Automated Weather .

from 11 to 33 feet. This will permit the testing of the instrument'ssensitivity to rotor wash and gusts at different heights.5.1SITE SELECTION.The AWOS should be installed in a location that will satisfy the followingconditions:a. Near the heliport to simulate the siting limitations imposed by limitedreal estate.b.Not in the predominant approach/departure path.c.Provide flexibility in approach path selection.d. Meet Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) and Advisory Circular (AC)150 (Draft) obstacle clearance requirements.e. Theoretically unaffected by rotor effects when the aircraft is centeredon the heliport.f.Accessible to existing power supplies.Based on theoretical data from reference 4.a (appendix B-5), a site 195 feetfrom the center of the pad and abeam the leading edge of the heliport wasselected.This location reflects the best compromise of the above requirements(appendix B-6).5.2SlTE PREPARATION ANn INSTALLATION.A total of four concrete pads will be poured. These pads will conform to theUniform Building Code Standards. The ceilometer will be installed on one pad;the rain/snow guage with wind screen will be on anotherj and the tower(temperature and dew point sensor, anemometer, radiation shield, junction box,obstruction lights, lightning protection, field data converter, and data link .equipment) on another (appendix B-7). The rain/snow gauge with wind screen willbe installed on a wood platform at least 24 inches off the ground. This will bedone in case of prolonged accumulation of snow affecting the instruments (theyearly average of snow fall in Atlantic City is 15 inches) (appendix B-8).6.TEST PROCEDURES.Two types of flights will be involved in AWOS heliport site testing. The firsttype will consist of collecting AWOS site data and accurate ship state data inconjunction with other helicopter projects, such as MLS Flight Director TERPS·Work and Loran 3D Approaches. When AWOS data are being collected in conjunctionwith other project work, the flightpaths will not be modified or test procedureschanged to support data collection.4

The second type of data collection test flight is dedicated to support AWOS sitetesting. The ·flight procedures to be used during the dedicated flight testingcan be divided into four subsets:a.b.c.d.6.1Approach and departure path testingHeliport manuever testingExtended ground run testingWeather related tests.APPROACH AND DEPART!JRE PATH TE TING .Approach and departure path testing will consist of 30 approach segments,including site overflights. The approach angles to be used will be 3 ,6 , and9 commensurate with terrain and obstructions. The primary approach course atthe interim Concept Development Heliport is 354 . Table 1 represents the testdesign to be used during the approach and departure phase. A complete blockdesign is impossible due to terrain and obstruction clearance requirements. Thetouchdown offset values range from 75 to 195 feet in 30-foot increments anddenotes the spacing between the AWOS equipment cluster and the approachtouchdown point (appendix B-9). The design shown will be repeated three times;with winds less than 6 knots (early morning flying), with the termination pointdownwind from the equipment cluster, and with the touchdown point upwind of theequipment cluster.TABLE 1.ApproachCourse(Deg Mag)AWOS HELIPORT APPROACH AND DEPARTURE TEST DESIGN*DepartureCourse(Deg t(Feet)ApproachAngle(Degree)5 Values(75 to 195)(75 to 195)(75 to 195)3 Values(135 to 195)2 Values(165 to 195)3 Values(135 to 195)3,6,9153,6,93,6,96,915156926,96Total59)No. ofApproaches*Appendix B-I0Half of the scenario will be flown with the wind sensor at 15 feet and thetemperature sensor at 5 feet; the other half with the wind sensor at 30 feet andthe temperature sensors at 10 feet.All approaches will be flown under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Visual referencewill be used to maintain constant approach angles (appendix B-ll). Approachangle interception will be identified by reference to altimeter and collocatedprecision distance measuring equipment (P/DME) information. Both S-76 and UH-lhelicopters will be used during these approach/departure tests.5

6.2HELIPORT MANEUVERING.Hovering and maneuvering tests will be conducted at four different altitudes (S.10. 20. 2S feet) at each of the touchdown offset distances. Data will becollected to determine sensor effects associated with hovering flight.6.3EXTENDED GROUND RUN TESTING.During extended ground run testing. the helicopter will be run at 100 percentrotor revolution per minute (rpm) for a period of 2S minutes at each touchdownoffset distance. The purpose of the extended ground run test is to identifypossible long time-constant effects on AWOS system. performance.6.4WEATHER RELATED TESTS.Other flight testing will be conducted during periods of precipitation todetermine interaction of rotor effects and precipitation on sensor/systemperformance.7.7.1DATA ANALYSIS.DATA COLLECTION.The collected data for the approach and departure tests will consist of twogroups. The first group of data will be ship state data (appendix C) providedby the airborne data collection systems already in place in the UH-l and S-76.The data will be augmented by range tracking data to accurately determineaircraft position.The second group of data is collected by the AWOS data recording system. Each30 seconds the sensor output is recorded along with several fault detectionflags. The system's weather report will be recorded once every minute.Subject pilot statements about AWOS system performance and limitations (onapproach/departure procedures) will be noted in the flight log by the flighttechnician. Additional flight log information will include: official weatherconditions. approach start and end times. departure start and end times. and anyvariations detected in the AWOS weather sequence report. The flight technicianwill be responsible for ensuring that all data collection systems will be usingthe same time reference. This will permit the merging of data from severaldifferent data recording sources. Since the AWOS sensor data can only berecorded every 30 seconds. after completing an approach the aircraft will remainstationary at the touchdown point for at least 90 seconds so that independencycan be maintained in the depa ture data.7.2DATA ANALYSIS.Since the AWOS weather sequence report employs long time-constant averagingmethods. the primary analog data that will be used to detect helicopterinfluences will be the 30-second sensor and fault detection data.6

Using time merged data, statistical methods will be used to identify helicopterinfluences on 'sensor output. Although sensor data are only recorded every30 seconds, this is not a critical limitation since most sensors have 2-minutetime constants.For the approach and departure phase, a four-way analysis of the variance modelwill be used. The four fixed effects will consist of six levels of an approachcourse, up to five levels of touchdown offset values, up to three levels ofapproach angle, and two levels of sensor height. Prior to beginning anapproach, baseline sensor performance will be obtained through as-minuteaveraging process. The response variables of interest will be the differencebetween the 5-minute average and sensor output during the approach phase.Similar analysis of departure data will be made except that there are only threefixed effects: departure course (six levels), offset distance (up to fivelevels), and sensor height (two levels).Analysis of the heliport maneuvering phase and extended ground run test willidentify any helicopter effects through trend analysis of sensor data. However,since each of these tests "runs" will require considerably more time, actualvariations in the weather must be accounted for in the analysis.8.PILOT EVALUATION.A pilot questionnaire will be completed by the subject pilot at the conclusionof his test flight. pilot responses to workload, siting, equipment suitability,and comparisions of personal observations versus AWOS observations will betaken. Questions will focus on the system's performance in relationship to thesiting. Operational data will be collected at an operational heliport with anAWOS (Indianapolis, Ind.). Questionnaire data will be augmented by discussionsbetween project personnel and operators. The results will be reviewed to detecttrends, operator preference, and operational suitability. A samplequestionnaire is shown in appendix D.9.COORDINATION AND AREASOF RESPONSIBILITY.1))Successful completion of this project requires support from various FAAelements.The Engineering Division (ACT-lOO) will:a.Provide Technical Center project management.b.Coordinate with other organizations as necessary.c.Maintain, with contractor support, the AWOS.d.Develop test procedures for this project.e. Be responsible for all data reduction, analysis, and test reportpreparation.7

The Facilities Division (ACT-600) will:a.Provide engineering and manpower to install project equipment.b.Furnish aircraft and flight crews to conduct project test flights.The AWOS Program Branch (APM-440) will:a.Provide subprogram management and project funds.b.Review test methodology to be used in this test.c. Review the test plan, flight testing, and technical notes describingthe results of the testing.d.Provide for contract maintenance support of the AWOS system.8

APPENDIX AROTORCRAFT MASTER PLAN PROJECTS

'AT-17,IMPROVED WEATHER REPORTING AND GATHERINGDate of Resume:11/24/82Date of Revision: 9/30/83PROJECT OFFICE(S):AATADLAFOAAT RESUMEResume No. AT-17D;te Deferred/Cancelled:Final Completion:(202) 426-8802(202) 426-3593(202) 426-8194OBJECTIVE:.To provide real-time weather directly to the helicopter by uti izingimproyed automat d weather and short-term forecast procedures.REQUIREMENT:Develop the techniques for automatically gathering and disseminatinglocal and en route weather via data link directly to the cockpit.Develop small low-cost weather observation system for heliports.MILESTONE CompletionCompletionImproved Weather1988STATUS:Project is scheduled to commence in 1984.REMARKS/NOTES:,National Prototype Demonstration Heliports will receive AutomaticWeather Observation Systems (AWOS).v A-I

VVS-220, NATIONAL PROTOTYPE HELIPORT DEMONSTRATIONDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMDate of Resume:9730/83Date of Revision:PROJECT OFFICE(S):AVS RESUMEResume No. VS-220,Date Deferred/Cancelled:Final Comaletion:& DeveloARO(202) 426-3425OBJECTIVE:Sy:tematic evolution of four prototype heliportfacilities from VFR only capability to full IFR precision approachcapability by the 1986-87 time frame.REQUIREMENT:Joint effort within industry to establish heliportfacilities with full IFR precision approach capability and "allweather" heliport criteria and standards by CY-1988; formulate anational system of at least 25 urban, IFR,public-use heliportfacilities by the year 2000.,MILESTONE CompletionCompletionEstablish FAA/IndustryNational PrototypeHeliport Demonstration& Development Program1st National PrototypeDemonstration Heliport19841st IFR National PrototypeDemonstration Heliportw/Nonprecision Prototype1985-861st IFR National' PrototypeDemonstration Heliportw/Precision Approa h·1986-87Publish All-Weather HeliportDesign Criteria19881st Public-Use HeliportBuilt Under PublishedAll-Weather Criteria1989IFR Heliports/Terminal Area/Route Structure at 5 Cities1993IFR aeliports/Terminal Area'Route Structure It 15 Cities 1996IFR Heliports/Terminal Area/Route Structure at 25 Cities 2000A-21983

STATUS: AA announced on September 19, 1983, the selection of fourcommunities to serve as co locations for the Federal AviationAdministration's National Prototype Demonstration Heliport Program.The cities selected are Indianapolis, IN; Los Angeles, CA; NewOrleans, LA; and New York, NY.In the final screening process, six communities wereREMARKS/NOTES:under consideration, all having submitted coordinated plans forestablishment of an urban facility to FAA's Rotorcraft ProgramOffice.The other two locationss receiving consideration in thefinal selection process were Baltimore, MD, and Mesa, AZ.Evaluation of new technologies will be accomplished at the NationalConcept Development Heliport at the FAA's Technical Center inAtlantic City,· New Jersey.At the conclusion of successful testingand certification, new systems and equipment will be made availablefor installation and operational use at the National PrototypeDemonstration Heliports.The FAA expects to support construction ofthe prototype heliports with funding through the Airport ImprovementProgram (AlP).The four locations selected will be the first public heliportfacilities in the United States to receive Microwave Landing Systems(MLS) and Automated Observation Systems (AWOS).A-3

APPENDIX BILLUSTRATIONS

APPENDIX BILLUSTRATIONSFi.gurePageB-IBlock Diagram of Equipment LayoutB-IB-2Atlantic City Airport LayoutB-2B-3MLS Monitor Pole Profile ViewB-3B-4MLS Antennas Profile ViewB-4B-5Rotorwash VelocityB-5B-6Heliport with Equipment LayoutB-6B-7AWOS Pads InstallationB-7B-aAWOS Structures Profile ViewB-aB-9AWOS Siting and Displaced Landing PadsB-9B-IOApproach and Departure PathsB-IOB-llHeliport Obstruction LocationB-II

, 1t VJlIN" 'IJ/:1N/J(A) 6 . BAROMGO'tIt; CoTEM'6M7IIte:.h .t:J8G:.e. c)/U8A(.I(StA"1?!\\Ii il: ;Li'"1PRe s.vAe1)A'IloJi G.HTIH;."Tlno. .Nil) ,o.WT f',.'YJ8t. CI . o."f"1'O-.pl'IjoH(j)c: ,tJlI.tJltXIII-'0Cl TEL.E.M T7eYTe'lV\e yW-AJir","U,TCHCo: (;lM1 ::0: .[ZJ.Z -io: I C.0- 0c: -iSPIOIW : Iol YIJTl-l H i-lEe.FAI\TC.AwOS6 D'Ae:. I\ ",:1:SAC-KElT")./ la/S5jj t A'ul. '.,-.JEI C Hl\IJAJ{ L('''''.r.-f/QL .l.Jf I " . "'0./. Ic. ;.

AIRPORTBEACONCONTIIOL TO II.IACY MUNICIPAL TEIIMINALRAMP SPEED 10 MPHoI,500!1000ISCALE - FEETFIGURE B-2.ATLANTIC CITY AIRPORT LAYOUTB-2

;1 1 - "'.;1 I1 " . I o lot · 1·51! ? ., al"l .'If) l)'. I. . . ?;"," MLS MONITOR POLE PROFILE VIEWB-3 I·FIGURE B-3.A t .;'1 INIl.':! 1 i'1 I I I I., 1'1 I II11:J'. 1i1'; I. I I'-I,: I .·1C?,,

i. It,Il. Il'l-- - T .ClO . . l1-i1.,tt 'l"C ijj.-- 41 ---i"S-I"I"'t'"I iN;f ' YI" 1.\1. \"\i 11\VI \.". lQI:t'C")tI.,:r-t.I"\.-c.)ItQ'8I .l .':). "o1i'* . I .il-!I . ' I, I . :- IFIGURE8-4.MLS ANTENNAS PROFILE VIEW."B-4 .

20406080100120140DISTA.NCE FROM CENTER OF ROTATIONoS76 UH1160180200

IJIJIIij1!I:'/1/. / /--- AWOS SiteFIGURE 8-6.HELIPORT WITH EQUIPMENT LAYOUTB-6/ /'/i

"""OS)-?j,,07:P-"Z /rl). I SI"f( "'nlt,) II r"S(."., ' nl)JE)I,8h 'lC I.tr' o o I . .o Cl .III \\l\S""' 2\:) 80.8h 11') .'1' ?/ 1.J.'1 r{ \Jl\I)'-'t-U1r:t)I(« \.r(- ) 8-7.AWOS PADS INSTALLATIONB-7J; EJl';. (I) -tI\:X :},N .OhlFIGURE. " ::: 't-.J t'r) u·.,I "':'Ii\/I.9/7 I, -?;:,.,,,., l 'bl'tl ) Cl'\;. '(-,.'ISt)./ .::.

fIrf --" , -- (- - .3IE L. .-II : r----.I"i :t "1.' .-1§ - .:1I'I: :::-- --,1 I-1III .",E f/J.,/I'"IrLL7- IIIri. I.IFIGURE8-8.,.0".AWOS STRUCTURES PROFILE VIEWB-8II.

",",.". ----------- - - .- -- -- - - - - IIIIII.IIIII. ! -fI. - FIGUREB-9.AWOS SITING AND DISPLACED LANDING PADSB-9 .

IIIII E.,. I.-f-- - - """L.L1 /. ;2-\ ./'/It "::I. '"1er.:t rw)\\I" '-V.FIGURE6-10.\ "APPROACH AND DEPARTURE PATHSB-IO C'I\II'" ()CI

I,IIII. I . -------t ------ I: I.III. FIGURE B-11.HELIPORT OBSTRUCTION LOCATIONSB-ll

APPENDIX CDATA COLLECTION SPECIFICATION - SHIPSTATE DATA

ParameterTimeUnit;sSample Rate (Hz)Resolution,0.000 SecondHr/Min/SecIndi.catedAirspeedKnots20.0977 KnotsVerticalVelocityfeet/min.20.488 fpmAircraft Mag.HeadingDegrees20.022 DegreeBarometricAltitudeFeet21. 95 FeetRadio AltitudeFeet40.732 FeetDMEFeet23 Feet (PDME)60 Feet (ARINC)TransverseAccelerationg's4.0012 gLongitudinalAccelerationg's4.0012 gVerticalAccelerationg's4.0049 gTime CodeGeneration Timem'sC-1

APPENDIX DAWOS HELIPORT FLIGHT EVALUATION

OPERATIONAL PILOT ACTUAL HELICOPTER IFR HOURS:HELICOPTER HOURS LAST 6 MONTHS:PERIOD OF FAA FLIGHT TEST:ZIP:1.How far from the heliport were you when you received the weatherinformation?2.Compare the AWOS Ceiling and Visibility report with actualobservations experienced during flight.Ceiling reportedfeet, actual observationfeet;miles.Visibility reportedmiles, actual observation3.Do you feel that the wind direction and speed report isaccurate?Yes or No, if No, explain why if possible.4.What did you like best about the AWOS?5.What did you like the least about the AWOS?6.Overall rating of the system.7.Was there any increase in your workload?8.Do you feel that the AWOS is suitable for heliport operations?1 (poor)to5 (excellent)9.What additional information would you want for heliportinstallations?// / .10. Was the AWOS sIted 1n a suitable location?Yes or No,explain why if possible.11. (OPTIONAL) Please feelfree to comment further.D-lif No

Structural Design Guidelines for Heliports, Report No. DOT/FAA/PM-84/23. b. Heliport--Metropolitan Community Rapid Access to the National Air Transportation System, Advisory Circular (Draft) No. 150/5390. c. Sub-Paf K to F )PART 171 Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), Draft. for Automated Weather Observin S stem .