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1. AIRFIELD WIND ADVISORY SYSTEMNASA Seeks Industry Partners for Aviation Handheld Communication Devices PROBLEM ADDRESSEDCritical weather information systems are inadequate at thousands of general aviation airfields. Portable wireless units could deliver vital airfield wind and other safety information to pilots in real time on takeoff and landing approach. TECHNICAL ELEMENTS(1) compact handheld portable cockpit receiver and display unit and automated ground unit at airfield; (2) display unit automatically activated 8to 10 miles from airfield, with a simple digital readout showing gust and average wind velocity, direction, and most favorable runway; (3) ground unit weather station containing sonic anemometer coupled to a microprocessor, broadcasting data digitally over a half-watt spread spectrum transmitter at 900 MHz, powered by AC or solar power with battery backup POTENTIAL MARKETtargeted primarily for use by general aviation pilots at any of the 500 controlled airports or 5,000 non-controlled airfields and helipads in the U.S. and at 40,000 worldwide. 360,000 member Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association in partnership with NASA to demonstrate system. BENEFITS(1) increased safety at takeoff and landing; (2) compact portable cockpit display units usable even with rented aircraft; could lead to expanded market penetration for makers of handhelds; (3) simple, rugged ground units are easy to implement at airfields; (4) saves 3 to 5 minutes per landing via most advantageous vector approach to airfield; (5) successful prototype flight tests in 1999; (6) U.S. patent application filed CONTACTMartin Zeller, NASA Far West RTTC at 213-743-2927 or zeller@usc.edu