Evaluation of an Updated Design of an Internally Lighted Wind Cone

The purpose of this project was to evaluate an updated version of an 18 inch internally lighted wind cone. The original model was evaluated at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Center. The results of that evaluation, as detailed in Technical Note DOT/FAA/CT-TN85/4 (February 1985), revealed that the original model of the internally lighted wind cone did not provide adequate wind direction and speed information under low velocity (10 knots or less) wind conditions. The new model was installed in close proximity to the standard externally lighted wind cone at the Atlantic City International Airport, NJ, to
permit a comparative evaluation by FAA and general aviation pilots. Results of the testing, accomplished during taxi and flight operations under wind conditions of 10 knots or less, revealed that the updated model still does not provide adequate wind direction and, speed information. Participating pilots preferred the standard externally lighted wind cone.