An Investigation of Laser Lighting Systems to Assist Aircraft

Details

• Creators:
  Burnham, D. C. ; Fantasia, J. F.
• Corporate Creators:
  John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Landing aids
  • Aeronautics
  • Fog
  • Laser beams
  • Visual aids
  • Landing aids
  • Aeronautics
  • Fog
  • Laser beams
  • Visual aids
  More +
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT-TSC-FAA-79-22 ; FAA/RD-79/97
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration
• Description:
  A model for the visual detectability of narrow light beams was developed and used to evaluate the system performance of two laser lighting system configurations: (1) a laser VASI and (2) a crossed beam glide path indicator. Laboratory experiments confirmed the validity of the model. Using a criterion taken from the Federal Standard for laser safety, the potential hazards of each of the system concepts were evaluated. The following results were obtained for readily available laser power levels: Neither system will work during bright daylight. The laser VASI can be seen at night at the middle marker for visual ranges grater than 500 feet. The crossed beam system can be seen at night at the middle marker for visual ranges greater than 700 feet.
• Content Notes:
  Introduction, Theory of laser beams as visual aids, Luminance of a narrow light beam, Laboratory measurements and evaluation, Path clearance through fog, Laser beam, Feasibility of system configurations, Conclusions, Recommendations, Appendices
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9355/dot_9355_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.20 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:66094e32ee2b7141d02c84b586f5edff228ed64fb0220d16e6b7f4b70e5e2ca91bcd18f7560f1f52216f591a7c26f1ab63da35f86f3fc1c0b1590a56c2a8d829