Aeronautical & General Instruments (AGI), an established UK company, manufactures instruments and systems for busy airport runways, including runway visual range systems offering both forward scatter and transmissometer runway visibility measurement technologies; airport surface wind measurement systems; and portable/emergency airfield lighting systems.
Runway visual-range systems
Runway visual-range systems from AGI provide fully automated assessment and reporting of runway visual-range through stand-alone displays or as an input to AWOS systems.
Two different systems are available using transmissometers or forward-scatter meters. The AGVIS FSI system uses a forward-scatter sensor and the AGIVIS 2000 uses an AGI-designed transmissometer. Both systems include a background-luminance meter, runway-lighting interface and runway visual-range computer.
Forward-scatter runway visibility system
The AGVIS FSI runway visibility system uses a Biral VPF sensor. This sensor combines forward-scatter and backscatter sensors, which enables it to measure the extinction coefficient from 10m to 75km, as well as prevailing weather conditions. A background-luminance meter in the AGI field-site electronics unit measures the ambient light, and the runway visual-range computer located in the control tower has an interface to the airport's runway lighting system.
Runway visual-range transmissometers
The AGIVIS 2000 runway visual-range system uses an AGI-designed transmissometer to calculate its runway visual-range.
The system is comprised of:
- AGI transmissometers (transmitter and receiver pair)
- Integrated background-luminance monitor
- Integrated runway visual-range computer
- High-contrast TFT or LCD displays
The transmissometer and reflector are enclosed in specially designed housings. These are pressurised to prevent the ingress of wind-driven precipitation, dust and foreign bodies.
The software system was written to UK CAA standards and has a proven record of reliability. For operator interaction, software routines ensure that the system is continuously monitored and alarm messages are easily understood.
The system exceeds the ICAO Annex 3 requirements for measurement accuracy and can be used on runways from CAT 1 to CAT 111b.
Ultrasonic wind system (UWS) for airport surfaces
Wind is one of the critical measurements at an airport and the AGI UWS uses the latest technology to provide an accurate, reliable and cost-effective solution to airport wind measurements. Based on the Gill Wind Observer 2 ultrasonic anemometers, the UWS system combines the Gill sensor with the AGI multi-function aviation display (MFAD).
The MFAD processes and displays all the wind parameters essential to measure and record the airport surface wind. In addition to the main ICAO wind parameters, the UWS system will show the head, cross and tail wind measurements. This will enable the ATC personnel to inform the pilot of these important parameters to maximise the efficiency of both take-off and landing.
Portable emergency airfield lighting systems
In 2007 AGI acquired Metalline International and consequently its division Metalite Aviation Lighting. Metalite Aviation Lighting is able to offer a full range of portable emergency airfield lighting systems covering runway and taxiway-edge lights, approach lights, PAPIs and obstruction lights.
Products are battery and generator-powered and can provide visual and NVG-compatible light outputs, making them suitable for use by civilian and military users. Lighting can be supplied as individual units supported by freestanding battery chargers or in road going trailers with integral charging facility.
Portable civil airfield lighting
A versatile trailer-mounted, battery-powered portable runway lighting system that complies with international civil aviation standards, the Civil Airfield Lighting KIT (CALKIT™) can be used as a stand-alone, temporary system on remote airstrips or as emergency, supplementary or obstruction lighting at international and domestic airports.
Visual-spectrum precision approach-path indicator
A battery-powered portable visual-spectrum precision approach-path indicator, the VIS PAPI is suitable for night-time use in compliance with CAA document CAP 168.
Omni-directional portable runway lights
A versatile battery-powered portable runway light that complies with international aviation standards, the COREL combined omni-directional runway and taxiway edge light is suitable for a wide range of airport or airfield applications.
LED omni-directional portable runway lights
An energy-efficient battery powered portable runway light, the LED version of the COREL combined omni-directional runway and taxiway edge light meets FAA, ICAO and CAA specifications.
Unidirectional approach light (UAL)
A battery-powered portable approach light suitable for night-time use, the UAL enables pilots to identify the runway centreline during approach.
Battery charger for airfield lighting
Our freestanding, portable drop-in charger for airfield lighting is capable of charging up to 16 CORELs or UALs simultaneously in approximately 8hr.
