Subsystem weather station

Weather data acquisition

Wind probe

One might not feel a need for local weather data, taking into account the numerous weather services. However, local wind is the most important data feed and cannot be substituted by third party data from elsewhere, as it is the airfield's crosswind needed, not the location of weather service provider ones. As long as a wind probe is invested, typically the other data become accessible for much less money than a wind probe. This holds true for the consumer type of weather stations as well as the more heavy-duty wind probes stemming from marine applications. So why not implement in an all-in-one device?

Atmosphere pressure for altitude calculation of ADS-B targets

With a weather probe, typically the actual atmosphere pressure is provided. True pressure is needed for estimating airfield approaches, the Height Of Arrival HOA. Whereas Flarm broadcasts provide gps height above geoid, ADS-B receivers typically output pressure altitude (although ADS-B broadcasts provide both, pressure altitude and GPS height above ellipsoid) When estimating approaches to the airfield, the correct height is of importance. Without atmosphere pressure measurement an error prone static manual input is necessary.

Atmospheric temperature and humidity

Provides data needed to estimate the actual local dew point and base height respectively.