Description

The Automatic Weather Observing System (AWOS) offered by GEONICA is a fully configurable airport weather system that provides continuous, real time information and reports on airport weather conditions.

The GEONICA AWOS system uses our METEODATA data logger as a remote unit of measurement, data storage and transmission of information in real time.

The METEODATA station supports the connection of all suitable sensors for the measurement of the parameters required in each type of airport facility.

AWOS Measurements

Depending on the configuration, AWOS measure a combination of the following parameters:

• Barometric pressure, altimeter setting and density altitude
• Wind speed and wind gusts, wind direction and variable wind direction
• Temperature and dew point
• Visibility and variable visibility
• Sky condition, cloud ceiling height and liquid precipitation accumulation

• Precipitation type (e.g. rain, snow, drizzle) identification
• Thunderstorm detection by means of a cloud-to-ground lightning detector
• Freezing rain detection via a freezing rain sensor
• Visibilidad vertical
• Runway surface conditions

Other non-certified sensors may be attached to AWOS systems, but weather data derived from those sensors must be clearly identified as "advisory" in any voice messages and may not be included in any METAR observations.

Weather Data Dissemination

Our AWOS systems disseminate weather data in a variety of ways:

• A computer-generated voice message which is broadcast via radio frequency to pilots in the vicinity of an airport. The message is updated at least once per minute, and this is the only mandatory form of weather reporting for an AWOS.
• Optionally, a computer-generated voice message, available over a telephone dial-up modem service. The message is updated at least once per minute.
• Optionally (but frequently done), AWOS messages may be disseminated via ground data link in METAR format, typically once every 30 minutes.