An Australian first at Sydney Airport: new windshear detection system boosts flight safety

In an Australian first, Sydney Airport has launched a new system to enhance safety and efficiency during aircraft operations.

The state-of-the-art Light Detection and Ranging System (LIDAR) mitigates risks associated with windshear during aircraft operations, improving safety and airport efficiency.

The new technology, which forms part of the Low-Level Windshear Alert System (LLWAS), is a sophisticated weather detection system designed to alert pilots and airport personnel of hazardous low-level wind conditions that could affect aircraft during take-off and landing.

According to Boeing’s summary of commercial airplane accidents, most aircraft incidents occur during take-off and landing, with six per cent of flight time accounting for 57 per cent of fatal accidents. *

The system, which complements the airport’s existing systems, updates every 10 seconds with windshear alerts transmitted to the Air Traffic Control Tower and forms part of the airport’s ongoing commitment to safety.

Wind shear is defined as a wind direction and/or speed change over a vertical or horizontal distance. It is significant when it causes changes to an aircraft's headwind or tailwind such that the aircraft is abruptly displaced from its intended flight path and substantial control action is required to correct it.**

Sydney Airport Chief Operations Officer Adrian Witherow said that safety is one of the airport’s top priorities as it prepares to reach the 2 billion passenger milestone by 2040.

"As the airport expands to meet growing demand, investing in advanced technologies reflects our commitment to safety and operational efficiency with timely information to support optimised runway configuration,” he said.

“This new technology is a game-changer for Sydney Airport significantly increasing our ability to proactively detect and respond to sudden changes in wind patterns near the runway and alert pilots in the vicinity.

“We are extremely proud to be the first in Australia to implement this technology and see it in action.”

The implementation of the new system was part of an evaluation working group established between Sydney Airport, Qantas, Virgin, The Pilots Association, The Bureau of Meteorology, The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), The Meteorological Authority, and Air Services Australia.

Deployment of the LIDAR at Sydney Airport is now fully operational.

*Source: Boeing “Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents Worldwide Operations 1959-2012.”

** Source Bureau of Meteorology