Visibility sensors for airport applications

Visibility sensors for airport applications

HSS sensors, models VPF-710 (visibility) and VPF-730 (visibility and present weather) are used in airport systems around the world for airport visibility and in Runway Visual Range (RVR).

As well as being used as part of such turn-key solutions as the SuperAWOS and AGVIS FSI systems (described below) they are deployed at numerous military and civilian airports in third party systems.

WHY are these sensors used in airport applications?

The key benefits of the HSS sensors for airport use:

- Reliability - even in harsh environments

- Accuracy - there is no other sensor that can equal the accuracy of the Biral units (typically 2 percent error accuracy to 2 km) due to the patented design concepts.

- Repeatability - a National Weather Service showed that three Biral sensors compared to each other and a human observer only had a 3 percent deviation between them all, while other sensors showed as much as 25 percent deviation due to small construction errors and differences in alignments, light sources used etc.

Examples of two turn-key solutions which use the HSS sensors:

The SuperAWOS system with the HSS VPF-710

The SuperAWOS system is designed for weather reporting on unmanned US airports and has been approved by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). Websites: www.superawos.com: and www.potomac-airfield.com Related article: SuperAWOS for airports (pdf)  These links open in a new window

The AGVIS FSI RVR system

After extensive trials at Birmingham, UK airport the AGVIS Forward Scatter RVR system from AGI Ltd which incorporates the VPF-730 is being rolled out to airports who need a cost-effective solution for measuring visibility according to ICAO regulations. Websites: www.agiltd.co.uk    Related article: AGVIS FSI (pdf) These links open in a new window

Which HSS sensor should be used on airports?

It depends very much on how they will be used but for general airport applications we would recommend the VPF-710 with:

- Calibration Kit

- Stainless Steel Mounting Hardware

- Optional - Heating

more information on the VPF-710

As part of an RVR airport applications we would recommend the VPF-730 with:

- Advance self test and monitoring

- Ambient light sensors

- Calibration Kit

- Stainless Steel Mounting Hardware

- Optional - Heating

more information on the VPF-730

Visibly Better

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