With rain, snow, ice, heavy winds and air-driven salty rain, Grímsey Island experiences a number of the most difficult climate in Europe.
Having dependable visibility and climate sensors are vital for all airport operations, however particularly for many who face excessive climate situations recurrently. Measuring and reporting visibility at airports helps optimize operations by figuring out what procedures and routines plane have to take off and land safely.
“The salt is extremely corrosive and may negatively influence measurement devices, whereas the cruel climate situations and low visibility create airport operation issues,” mentioned Isavia Undertaking Supervisor Hólmgeir Þorsteinsson. “Since small plane primarily use the airport to move provides and providers, exact climate data and visibility detection are essential to creating correct selections that maximize uptime.”
In September 2022, the airport determined to exchange the present sensor, which was greater than 5 years outdated and was experiencing issues because of the harsh setting.
Previous to deciding on a brand new system, the airport needed to contemplate the cruel setting and difficult-to-reach distant location, the significance of dependable, correct climate data and the need to attenuate journey for upkeep personnel.
“Compounding the issue, since solely two flights arrive at Grímsey Airport every week, the price of sending upkeep workers to the island to restore the sensor is prohibitive,” Þorsteinsson mentioned. “Contemplating lifetime operational prices versus ongoing upkeep, upgrading to the Vaisala FD70 emerged because the extra cost-efficient choice.”
Vaisala FD70
“FD70 is a ahead scatter sensor, which analyzes scattered infrared mild from the pattern quantity. FD70 makes use of the most recent main expertise from Vaisala,” mentioned Nordics Vaisala Gross sales Supervisor Veera Skyttä. “The novel mixture of a homogenous single skinny mild sheet with a lightweight receiver beneath the optimum ahead scatter angle of 42° and the quick sign sampling and high-resolution sign conversion units a brand new normal in visibility and current climate dedication accuracy. Along with correct temperature and humidity measurements, the FD70 defines the parameters from the sunshine measurements.”
The ahead scatter expertise answer delivers enhanced measurement stability with out ongoing upkeep and helps improve operational uptime at an airport the place weather-related downtime is untenable.
“Along with the visibility reporting, the FD70 provides the current climate code, or the reason for decreased visibility,” Skyttä mentioned. “Essentially the most difficult and, at occasions, crucial precipitation sorts for operational decision-making are freezing rain and freezing drizzle. These supercooled liquid precipitation sorts have historically challenged ahead scatter sensors, however the FD70’s patented mild sheet expertise, use of exterior humidity and temperature sensor and second receiver takes the instrument’s efficiency to the utmost and eliminates guesswork.”
Bettering the way forward for airport operations
In accordance with Vaisala, the distant island of Grímsey has about 60 residents plus guests who depend on the island’s airport for transportation in addition to provides and providers.
“FD70 enhances the reliability of the visibility and current climate reporting, thus changing the necessity for on-site human observations or METAR experiences,” Skyttä mentioned. “The measurement expertise, design and highly effective sign evaluation shield the FD70’s measurement capabilities towards varied undesirable operational disturbances.”
Vaisala mentioned to the downward-looking geometry, the FD70 shouldn’t be weak to direct daylight or spider webs.
“The distinctive particle sort differentiation in FD70 permits the identification and separation of flying bugs from precipitation particles, minimizing the necessity for upkeep and on-site visits,” Skyttä mentioned. “FD70 has superior self-diagnostics that point out beforehand when to schedule the subsequent upkeep go to.”
Distant FD70 monitoring may be accomplished by way of Ethernet from central places eliminating the necessity to ship personnel out in harsh climate environments.
“Moreover, the modular design permits very quick and straightforward repairs, thus permitting airport upkeep workers to work effectively and successfully — with out particular machine know-how,” Skyttä mentioned. “The Norlandair flies from Akureyri to Grimsey solely two occasions per week, which suggests one week of journey for upkeep personnel from Reykjavik each time the sensors want consideration. With FD70, the necessity for upkeep is minimized for the reason that system may be recognized remotely and probably by native workers.”
Þorsteinsson mentioned since putting in FD70, the airport by no means has to overlook a climate occasion and may prioritize optimum airport operations with out worrying about sustaining the sensor.
“Collectively, the answer’s sturdy design, downward-looking geometry, heated window and distinctive compensation algorithm empower airport operators like us with year-round confidence,” Þorsteinsson mentioned.
