Evaluation of methods of winds aloft measurement for use in skywriting
Date
2013-07-19
Authors
Phillips, E
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Abstract
In this dissertation the suitability of four winds aloft calculation methods were
evaluated for their suitability in skywriting applications. The methods were real-
time vector subtraction, and
ying patterns of perpendicular vectors, arbitrary
vectors and a constant-rate full circle, none of which require specialised sensing
hardware. The sensitivity to errors in the measurements that each method depends
on was characterised, and simulations were performed to verify the behaviour of
each method to varying errors in the measurements. The four methods were also
evaluated in real-world conditions using an aircraft tted with measurements systems
commonly found on general aviation aircraft, and the results were compared to
weather balloon measurements taken simultaneously, and at the same location as
the trials. The most commonly used vector subtraction method was found to be the
least suitable for determining the wind due to the dependance on a large number
of inherently inaccurate measurements. The circular pattern method was least
susceptible to measurement error, but was the most sensitive to pilot inaccuracy.