1. Friends and Partners NBAA 2003
JoAnn Y. Ford
Manager, Aerospace Weather Standards Division, ARS-200
Aerospace Weather Policy and Standards Staff

2. ASOS Preplanned Product Improvements (P3I) (FAA Priorities)
Processor Upgrade
Dewpoint Sensor
Ice Free Wind Sensor
Enhance Precipitation Identification
Improve Ceilometer & Sensor Algorithms
Improve Visibility Sensors & Algorithms
All Weather Precipitation Accumulation Gauge (AWPAG)
Snow Depth/Accumulation Sensor (Non-funded requirement)

3. FY04 FAA allocation for ASOS P3I is $4M - Total FY04 baseline ASOS funding is $9.125M

4. ACU Processor Upgrades
Performance Parameter – Increase processing speed and memory to improve performance and allow new sensor upgrades
Processor prerequisite to PI sensor deployments
135 of 883 installed as of 9/30/03
Resolved Key Issue: a few sites were experiencing FAA/ALDARS Comms problems; now releasing additional processors for installation; est. all processors installed by 12/31/03

5. ACU Processor Upgrade
NWS/FAA
Current NWS
Milestone
Baseline

6. ASOS PI – Dewpoint Sensor
Phased deployment paced by ACU processor and FAA funding
356 of 883 sites approved for phased deployment
38 sites currently operating
405 sensors delivered in 2002; 280 additional ordered September 2003
Sensor performance to date is excellent

7. Dewpoint Sensor
NWS/FAA
Current NWS
Milestone
Baseline

8. ASOS PI Ice Free Wind Sensor
Improvement Description
Ultrasonic sensor
No moving parts
0 to 125 knot range
1 knot, 1 degree resolution
Accuracy + 2 knots/3% speed, degrees direction
Controlled heating of transducers
Selectable 1-30 second averaging
ASOS to use 5 second speed, WMO Standard 3 second gust
Manufacturer - Vaisala

9. Ice Free Wind Sensor
NWS/FAA
Current NWS
Milestone
Baseline

10. ASOS PI – Enhanced Precipitation Identifier
Contracts awarded July 11 to Optical Scientific and Vaisala for both COTS evaluation and development phases
Deployment begins December 2005
ASOS PI – Ceilometer Replacement
Acquisition plan, statement of work, specification in preparation
Solicitation to be issued by October 2003
Contract awards for COTS evaluation phase to be made by June 2004
Deployment begins August 2006

11. Enhanced Precipitation Identifier
NWS/FAA
Current NWS
Milestone
Baseline

12. Ceilometer Replacement
NWS/FAA
Current NWS
Milestone
Baseline

13. ASOS Configuration Control Board (ACCB) Initiatives
(not all-inclusive list)
Change thunderstorm reporting range thresholds for SPECIs
Freezing drizzle algorithm
Connect NWS ASOS sites to ADAS for ITWS
Modify pressure sensor yes/no prompt
Delete RVRNO code

14. Automated Weather Sensor Developments
ALDARS Installation
ASOS RVR Modification
ASOS-ATIS Interface
Stand Alone Weather Sensors (SAWS)

15. Friends and Partners Initiatives
General Discussion
SPECI transmission anytime – testing will be completed at initial sites in December 2003; deployment to all 883 sites will take several months
AOP/AAF-1 letter was signed; ADAS integration into National Airspace Performance Reporting System (NAPRS)
ASOS Internet availability
Perceived Tower and SFC VSBY Discrepancies
version 0.05