Intensive Observation Period for building-induced windshear/turbulence

HKO News Bulletin for the Aviation Community (35th Issue)

With support from aviation users, a permanent unit of short-range LIDAR (SRL) would be introduced for the monitoring and detection of building-induced windshear/turbulence over 25RA. Previous field studies have demonstrated positive skill of the SRL in alerting such small-scale, fast-evolving wind features.

However, to better differentiate and quantify the impact of these wind disturbances on landing aircraft, an Intensive Observation Period will be held during the coming summer, where pilots would be invited to actively report windshear/turbulence events over 25RA.

It is expected that a joint analysis of high-resolution SRL wind observations and aircraft Quick Access Recorder data together with accurate aircraft position from ADS-B data would help shed light on the small-scale flow disturbances associated with building effect over 25RA.

Pilots' feedback on their perception of windshear/turbulence encounters on arrival over 25RA would be crucial in helping refine detection algorithm and establish alert thresholds. Details will be made available to pilots soon. Stay tuned!