TAPS is a turbulence detection algorithm that will be quickly available to pilots though Gogo’s aircraft communication network. (Image courtesy of Gogo.)
The Weather Company, an IBM business, recently announced a partnership with Gogo Business Aviation in an effort to improve turbulence detection and safety. Specifically, the companies hope that the collaboration will deliver weather reports in real time to pilots and other aviation personnel.
Real-Time Reports for Rapid Results
Airline pilots and personnel typically receive limited flight condition information through a coded verbal report called a pilot report, or PIREP. Because of a lack of connectivity in the cockpit, pilots may be unable to access weather updates in real time.
To address this, the Weather Company has developed a sophisticated turbulence detection algorithm called Turbulence Auto PIREP System (TAPS). By implementing TAPS on Gogo’s aircraft-based communications server, pilots can make use of TAPS in real time to take immediate action.
Taking advantage of aircraft data and weather forecasting, TAPS generates reports on turbulence intensity and provides actionable weather alerts straight to aircraft communication displays. Furthermore, the Weather Company can use the TAPS reports to continually improve their forecasting accuracy.
The Internet of Things in Action
This isn’t the first collaboration utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve the aviation industry. Microsoft recently teamed up with aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce to obtain data insights and increase jet engine efficiency. This serves to illustrate that IoT technology is proving its usefulness in unexpected ways.
The Weather Company and Gogo are hoping to see this effect with their new partnership. Turbulence incidents cost airlines approximately $100 million every year in passenger and crew injuries, unscheduled maintenance and flight inefficiencies. Better turbulence detection and communication could both improve safety and save money.
“Leveraging Gogo’s expanded fleet of aircrafts, the Weather Company can quickly share real-time turbulence data directly with pilots and dispatchers, thereby improving crew and passenger safety,” said Mark Gildersleeve, president of business solutions at the Weather Company. “It is a great example of the Internet of Things in action, where we are collecting massive amounts of data very quickly and then using that insight to provide guidance to all flights that will be traveling through impacted air space.”
For the latest IoT developments in a different industry, check out “Clever IoT Engineering Helps Infants and Parents Alike.”