Mesotech’s Airport Weather Advisor® system
is FAA AWOS–Certified

Mesotech has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) certification for its Airport Weather Advisor® system.

Certification means that the FAA has analyzed, reviewed, and approved Mesotech’s weather observation equipment and software and determined that it meets all AWOS certification requirements. An airport with a certified system installed is open to all flight operations – both private and commercial – at all times.

Contact us for more information about implementing an AWOS system at your airport.

What is an AWOS?

As defined by the FAA, an Automated Weather Observing System, or AWOS, is a computerized system that automatically measures one or more weather parameters, analyzes the data, prepares weather observation that consists of the parameter(s) measured, provides dissemination of the observations and broadcasts the observation to the pilot in the vicinity of the airport, typically using an integral very high frequency (VHF) radio or an existing navigational aid (NAVAID), or Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS). Observations may also be available by telephone dial-up service.

Following are the FAA’s standard AWOS categories, which are in addition to any custom combination of sensors.

• AWOS A – The AWOS A system measures and reports altimeter only.
• AWOS I – The AWOS I system measures and reports wind data (speed, direction and gusts); temperature; dew point; altimeter; and density altitude.
• AWOS II – The AWOS II system measures and reports all the parameters of the AWOS I system, plus visibility.
• AWOS III – The AWOS III system measures and reports all the parameters of the AWOS II system, plus precipitation accumulation (rain gauge) and cloud height. AWOS III can have optional sensors such as precipitation type/intensity (present weather, P) and/or thunderstorm/ lightning (T). The addition of an optional sensor will change the designation to AWOS III P or AWOS III T, or AWOS III P/T.
• AWOS IV – The AWOS IV system measures and reports all the AWOS III P/T (AWOS III with both present weather and thunderstorm/lightning) parameters plus freezing rain (Z) and/or runway surface condition (R). The addition of an optional sensor will change the designation to AWOS IV Z, AWOS IV R, or AWOS IV Z/R.

Any standard type certified AWOS may include additional sensors to suit individual airport needs.

Following is a link to the FAA Advisory Circular (AC) regarding non-Federal AWOS systems. This AC applies to anyone proposing to design, procure, construct, install, activate, or maintain an AWOS:

http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1018858

You can also download a PDF copy of the AWOS Advisory Circular.

FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

The AIP provides grants to public agencies – and, in some cases, to private owners and entities – for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).

Review the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) web page for complete details.