EVALUATION OF A LASER FOR USE AS A TRANSMISSOMETER CALIBRATOR.
Abstract:
A laser transmissometer was evaluated for use in providing an objective method of calibrating the NBS-type transmissometer to the light transmission characteristics of the atmosphere in all weather and visibility conditions. The laser transmissiometer was tested by using it to calibrate an NBS-type transmissometer. Visibility measurements from the laser objectively calibrated NBS-type system were compared with measurements from an identical system calibrated by the normal subjective method. Results indicate that the laser method tends to calibrate the NBS-type transmissometer to yield higher Runway Visual Range values than does the normal method of calibration. Deficiencies in the laser system made rigorous testing of the laser device impracticable. An appendix details performance specifications for an improved laser calibrator system. Author