Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) retrieval with Ultra-Fast High Range Resolution Electronic-Scanning X-band airport radar: Results of European FP7 UFO Toulouse airport trials

At airports, runway operation is the limiting factor for the overall throughput; specifically the fixed and overly conservative ICAO wake turbulence separation minima. The wake turbulence hazardous flows can dissipate quicker because of decay due to air turbulence or be transported out of the way on oncoming traffic by cross-wind, yet wake turbulence separation minima do not take into account wind conditions. Indeed, for safety reasons, most airports assume a worst-case scenario and use conservative separations. However, with the aid of accurate EDR (Eddy Dissipation Rate) retrieval by Ultra-Fast High-Range Resolution X-band Electronic-Scanning radar sensors, more efficient intervals can be set, particularly when atmosphere is unstable and turbulent, accelerating Wake-Vortex decay. Depending on traffic volume, these adjustments can generate capacity gains, which have major commercial benefits. This paper presents Electronic scanning radar trials at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport for UFO (Ultra-Fast wind sensOrs for wake-vortex hazards mitigation) project, funded by European FP7 program, on Radar EDR retrieval & Calibration.