Feasibility of TAMDAR: an aircraft-based weather data collection system

The tropospheric airborne meteorological data and reporting (TAMDAR) system is a new meteorological data collection system carried aloft by participating aircraft to gather weather data and relay this information to ground-based receiving stations for distribution into the national system for weather data dissemination. These improved forecasts provide a wide range of societal benefits including enhanced air safety and improved operational efficiency in national air space. This paper presents the results of a TAMDAR system feasibility study that evaluated implementation alternatives, defined the conceptual framework of the business case, estimated related costs and benefits, and combined the results into a comprehensive road map for future system development and implementation.