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Key Components
By identifying air disturbances on and around runways, SOCRATES™ can reduce potential flight hazards and improve the efficiency of air travel. |
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Wake Vortices
Air turbulence which is created by planes and poses a potentially serious threat to other aircraft as they land and take off. This phenomenon, which is strongest at landing and take off, can be described as an invisible horizontal tornado. |
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How It Works
As part of our wake vortex detection system, low power laser beams are used over a landing strip to detect the presence of wake vortex turbulence. A user interface at the air traffic controller's work station can indicate when the turbulence has dissipated, allowing another plane to take off/land in that space. |
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Efficiencies That Impact
By detecting the presence and dissipation of hazardous wake vortices, the flow of air traffic can be improved to allow for smaller wait times between take off and landing while reducing fuel consumed during the typical hold pattern. |
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Based on our prototype tests, we believe SOCRATES™ will be:
- Reliable in most weather conditions
- Highly accurate
- Eye safe
- Able to detect even small disturbances
- Able to detect disturbances without the presence of large atmospheric particles such as rain or ice crystals
Due to wake turbulence, the FAA restricts take offs and landings behind heavier aircraft, expending precious minutes of runway time in each affected pair of aircraft. According to recent estimates, these delays are part of an estimated $5.2 billion per year in unnecessary costs. Other remedies, such as new runway construction, are costly and environmentally disruptive. Upon successful completion of development, the benefits of SOCRATES™ technology could include:
The ability for airports and airlines to streamline flight schedules using "adaptive spacing"
Substantial cost savings generated for airports, airlines and passengers
Improved flight safety for passengers and airline personnel
An excerpt from World Business Today, featuring former U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig, highlights the desire for SOCRATES™ technology throughout the aviation industry.
