Friday 30 August 2024

In an Australian first, Sydney Airport has installed a state-of-the-art Light Detection and Ranging System (LIDAR) to mitigate the risks associated with windshear during aircraft operations, improving safety and airport efficiency.

The new technology, which forms part of the Low-Level Windshear Alert System (LLWAS), is a sophisticated weather detection system designed to alert pilots and airport personnel of hazardous low-level wind conditions that could affect aircraft during take-off and landing.

The system, which complements the airport’s existing systems, updates every 10 seconds with windshear alerts transmitted to the Air Traffic Control Tower and forms part of the airport’s ongoing commitment to safety.

Sydney Airport Chief Operations Officer Adrian Witherow said that safety is one of the airport’s top priorities as it prepares to reach the 2 billion passenger milestone by 2040.

"As the airport expands to meet growing demand, investing in advanced technologies reflects our commitment to safety and operational efficiency with timely information to support optimised runway configuration,” he said.

“This new technology is a game-changer for Sydney Airport significantly increasing our ability to proactively detect and respond to sudden changes in wind patterns near the runway and alert pilots in the vicinity.

We are extremely proud to be the first in Australia to implement this technology, and we’re looking forward to bringing it online and seeing it in action.”

The implementation of the new system was part of an evaluation working group established between Sydney Airport, Qantas, Virgin, The Pilots Association, The Bureau of Meteorology, The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), The Meteorological Authority, and Air Services Australia Deployment of the LIDAR at Sydney Airport is being completed in several stages with the final system to be fully operational by end 2024.

Notes to editor:

Most aircraft incidents occur during take-off and landing, with six per cent of flight time accounting for 57 per cent of fatal accidents.*

*Source: Boeing “Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents Worldwide Operations 1959-2012.

LIDAR as part of Low-Level Windshear Alerting System at Sydney Airport

• LLWAS plays a crucial role in aviation safety by:
• Early Detection: It provides early warning of potential windshear conditions, allowing pilots to take pre-emptive measures to avoid hazardous situations.
• Improved Decision Making: By alerting air traffic controllers and flight crews to windshear events, LLWAS enables informed decision-making regarding runway selection, approach procedures, and departure strategies.
• Enhanced Safety: It significantly reduces the likelihood of aircraft encountering severe windshear, thereby enhancing overall safety for passengers and airline crews.

Impact of Turbulence on Aircraft Operations

• Turbulence, often associated with windshear, can adversely affect aircraft during take-off and landing in several ways:
• Loss of Lift: Abrupt changes in wind speed and direction can cause a sudden loss or gain of lift, potentially leading to altitude fluctuations and instability.
• Control Challenges: Turbulence can create sudden and unpredictable movements of the aircraft, making it difficult for pilots to maintain control.
• Structural Stress: Prolonged exposure to turbulence can subject the aircraft to increased structural stress, necessitating thorough inspections and maintenance.