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AIRDAT ANNOUNCES NATIONAL ROLL-OUT AT 86TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY
Atlanta, GA - January 30, 2006 - A new generation atmospheric observing
system has been launched by AirDat LLC of Morrisville, NC, utilizing its unique
TAMDAR atmospheric sensor. Data from the system will improve weather forecasting
and aviation safety, and will enable better utilization of the national airspace.
AirDat is now deploying its patented TAMDAR sensor on aircraft nationwide for a
completely new atmospheric data collection network. Upon completion, the AirDat
network will provide over 5000 soundings of the atmosphere per day (compared to
about 140 daily soundings provided by the radiosonde network) and will provide
useful en-route data between soundings, including near real-time mapping of
turbulence, icing and winds.
AirDat developed the multi-function TAMDAR (Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological
Data Reporting) atmospheric sensor in support of a NASA-sponsored aviation
safety initiative, in cooperation with requirements determined by NOAA, the FAA
and WMO. AirDat's TAMDAR sensor is installed on commercial aircraft, and
reports a complete set of upper air parameters (icing, turbulence, winds aloft,
temperature, pressure, and humidity) in near real time as the aircraft climbs,
cruises and descends. A built-in GPS provides accurate time and position for
the observations. TAMDAR observations have already been shown to improve the
accuracy of weather forecasts.
The TAMDAR sensor is integrated with a global satellite network and AirDat's
supporting operational infrastructure. Observations are transmitted continuously
to the AirDat data center where they are assimilated, monitored, quality
controlled, formatted and distributed to users. Atmospheric observations can
typically be delivered to end users within one minute of the time the
observation is made.
AirDat offers additional data services to aircraft fleet operators as an
incentive to equip with TAMDAR sensors. These services include electronic OOOI
time transmission, aircraft tracking, data communication, text messaging, and
backup voice communication. The TAMDAR system has been certified and
operational for twelve months on Mesaba Airlines' turboprop regional aircraft.
The Mesaba routes provide coverage from the Great Lakes southward through the
central United States, and are the first stage in AirDat's nationwide roll-out
of the TAMDAR system. Horizon Air signed on to the TAMDAR program in January,
providing routes for atmospheric observation in the western United States.
Discussions are under way with additional airlines, laying the foundation for a
nationwide network of TAMDAR sensors.
AirDat has in-house capability to run atmospheric models and create customized
forecasts for weather-sensitive industries and other applications with its
unique atmospheric dataset. AirDat can also provide near real-time interactive
maps of atmospheric conditions, including icing and turbulence. The
comprehensive TAMDAR dataset is not available from any other source. More
information on AirDat and its capabilities is available at
www.airdat.com.
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Dr. Neil A. Jacobs has joined AirDat's Morrisville, NC office
as Chief Atmospheric Scientist, where he will study the impact of TAMDAR data on
numerical models such as MM5 and WRF, work on ways to make optimum use of the
data, and develop new TAMDAR-based products to enable better decision-making by
business, industry, aviation and governmental agencies. Neil's areas of interest
include mesoscale and microscale dynamics, numerical weather prediction,
atmospheric transport and modeling of microscale and mesoscale systems. He has a
diverse background, including work on NASA's Earth Systems Science Education (ESSE)
Program, GOES satellite imagery programming, and numerous analysis and modeling
projects. He has BS degrees in Mathematics and Physics from the University of
South Carolina, a MS in Air-Sea Interactions and PhD in Atmospheric Science from
NC State University.
Meteorologist Cyrena-Marie Druse works in AirDat's Evergreen,
CO office analyzing incoming TAMDAR data, monitoring the sensor network and
working on data quality control; she will also provide support to our
atmospheric scientists. Her background includes work as a student research
assistant at the National Severe Storms Lab, Norman, OK, and her hobbies include
storm chasing. Cyrena has a BS in Meteorology with a mathematics minor from the
Metropolitan State College of Denver and has a strong interest and family
background in aviation.
On January 15, AirDat and Mesaba Airlines kicked off a six-month atmospheric
research program called the Great Lakes Fleet Experiment (GLFE), sponsored by
AirDat and NASA, in cooperation with NOAA, the National Weather Service,
Forecast Systems Lab and the FAA.
