Potomac Aviation Technology

technical meteorologist wanted for special project -

technical meteorologist wanted for special project

Is MicroTower really AI?

AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MIND

- Expertise of a human pilot
- Listens to pilot radio communications
- Understands patterns of communications
- Aware of nearby aircraft and runway conditions
- Understands flight operations and airspace
- Anticipates pilots‘ needs
- Intelligently communicates with pilots

IN AN AWOS BODY

- AWOS sensors observe landing area conditions
- METAR REPORTS for flight operations
- SOLAR power allows easy installation anywhere
- SATCOMM connects to the internet from anywhere

Learn more: https://potomac-aviation.com/

Potomac Aviation Technology A PILOT'S BEST FRIEND: Artificial Intelligence listens and speaks to pilots by radio. Provides tower-like services at 100+ smaller airports and heliports world-wide.

100% solar-powered, self-contained, and satellite-networked networked.

Online Services

For pilots and airport management A brief review of online services MicroTower provides to Pilots and Management, for any small airport or heliport anywhere

THE PROBLEM WITH AWOS
Most small airports denied
Why?

MICROTOWER SOLVES THE PROBLEMS
www.potomac-aviation.com

First, let's look at the big picture.

2012 FAA report to FPAW:

Automated Weather Stations USA

NON-FED AWOS.....................537
FAA AWOS..............................198
NWS ASOS.............................874

TOTAL..................................1,609

Airports

PUBLIC (USA)...................5,000+
PRIVATE (USA)...............14,000+
WORLDWIDE................100,000+

Why so few AWOS?

ANSWER:

1. AWOS NOT DESIGNED FOR AVIATION

* NWS built nationwide network 1980s
* Few WX sources available at the time
* Purpose was scientific forecasting
* Specified for Federal procurement
* Cost was 'no object'

2. RESULT OF 1980's NWS CONTRACT

* All AWOS still use 1980's specification

While AWOS are still considered a 'gold standard' for scientific surface measurement, weather forecasting now uses far more and much more modern tools. In the meantime, aviation remains stuck with a 'one size fits all solution' designed for a 1980's weather service government contract, that is only practical at a relatively few larger airports with large budgets.

3. AWOS NOW LESS IMPORTANT

* NOAA now has 2 MILLION sources (MADIS)
* Satellites, aircraft, and non-gov sources
* Quality control uses sensor proximity
* Verification by correlation
* NOAA data freely available to the public

4. FAA'S GOAL WAS TO REDUCE LABOR COSTS

* Human weather observers are costly
* Adopted 1980 NWS spec for expediency
* Idea was install AWOS/ASOS at airports
* No more human observers on payroll

5. FAA STILL RELIES ON HUMAN OBSERVERS

* All major airports still have human observers
* Standby observers cost FAA $200m+/year

6. PROBLEMS WITH FAA PROGRAMS

* Designed for Federal contract 1980's
* Cost was no object for NWS
* Stuck with 1980's specifications

7. RESULTS

* AWOS projects cost $300,000+ (or more)
* Some AWOS cost $1m+ each (ex Alaska)

* Only 'affordable' when FAA pays

8. OTHER IMPEDIMENTS

* Only ~3,000 airports eligible for FAA grant
* Many denied AWOS by other requirements

WHY?

* Projects take 3-5-10 years
* Many layered pre-approvals required
* Require extensive civil site works
* Require many permits and approvals
* Require onsite AC power and comm
* 3-5+ years to obtain AWOS frequency

* Many airports unable to meet requirements
* 500 ft required clear area condemns 18 acres
* 1000 ft radius height limit limits land use
* Onerous 20-year contract required (FAA)

* Costly maintenance $5,000-$15,000/year
* Service limited to manufacturers' contractors

================================

9. MICROTOWER SOLVES THE PROBLEMS

www.potomac-aviation.com

A. FULL FEATURES FOR AVIATION

* Designed specifically for aviation
* SMART - Like a pilot
* Understands flight operations
* Traffic, weather and procedures aware
* Greeting to inbound pilots
* Runway advisory
* Warnings X-wind, W-shear
* METAR similar to AWOS3
* Two-way radio check
* ELT detection and remote reporting

B. SIMPLER AND SAFER

* Intelligently shares busy VHF frequency
* Does not interfere with busy frequency
* Area traffic all stays on same frequency
* Reduces chance of mid-air collisions
* No frequency allocation process or delay

C. QUICK & EASY TO INSTALL

* Simple siting - like any windsock
* No impact to airport land use
* No grant assurances required
* Installs in just a few hours anywhere
* Easily installed by anyone anywhere
* No additional permits or approvals

D. 100% OFF GRID

* No onsite AC power or comm required
* No civil works or permits
* Networked by satellite & internet

E. AFFORDABLE & SUSTAINABLE

* Easy low-cost maintenance
* Easily maintained by anyone anywhere
* Built in advanced diagnostics
* Built in remote maintenance
* Built in remote calibration

ALL VERY OBVIOUS,
when you stop to think about it
www.potomac-aviation.com

MicroTower in Argentina speaking Argentine Spanish.

Note: hand held radio is over-modulating because he was standing right next to MTR’s transmitter.

Initial Spanish - La Plata, Argentina Claus H with EANA demonstrates the MicroTower system installed at La Plata, Argentina.