Evaluation of an Internally Lighted Wind Cone

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the concept of using and internally mounted light for wind-cone illumination.  The current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular provides for external illumination of wind cones using floodlights mounted above the unit.  The internally lighted wind cone was installed adjacent to the standard externally lighted wind cone at the Atlantic City (Technical Canter) Airport, to permit comparative evaluation by FAA and locally based pilots.  Results of testing, accomplished during taxi and flight operations under varying wind conditions, revealed that the internally lighted wind cone does not provide adequate wind direction and speed information under low velocity (10 knots or less) wind conditions.  Participating pilots preferred the standard externally lighted wind cone in that it provided the necessary wind information under all wind conditions.

Author: Paul H. Jones