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Why Are Winds All-of-a-sudden "estimated"?  
User currently offlineLVTMB From United States, joined Oct 2004, 245 posts, RR: 0
Posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 550 times:

I was wondering ... I noticed that since the storm last week, ATC controllers at MIA and other South Florida airports provide wind heading and speed advises as estimates -- as opposed to actual readings? (Wind estimated at zero eight zero at one zero). What is behind the language change?

MB

5 replies: All unread, jump to last
 
User currently offlineB744F From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 0 posts, RR: 0
Reply 1, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 538 times:

unstable atmosphere conditions that could lead to sudden wind changes maybe?

User currently offlineKohflot From United States, joined Sep 1999, 981 posts, RR: 3
Reply 2, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 514 times:

It might be a technicality. The hurricane likely did some damage to the anemometers on the field. They could be using a backup that's not 'legally' reliable, or the repaired anemometer might not be completely calibrated yet. Stating the winds to be 'estimated' conveys the message that the accuracy of their information can't be guaranteed.


Ask why..
User currently offlineSPREE34 From United States, joined Jun 2004, 1270 posts, RR: 6
Reply 3, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 427 times:

Kohflot called it correctly. Broken instrumentation. "Estimated" is the prescribed ATC (US) phraseology in these circumstances.


I don't understand everything I don't know about this.
User currently offlineEchster From United States, joined Sep 2004, 392 posts, RR: 0
Reply 4, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 346 times:

It could also be estimated if the wind sensor is not located near the approach end of the runway. For instance, Runway 9 is in use but the wind sensor isn't working. The Runway 27 sensor is operating, so the wind is estimated.

User currently offlineOptionsCLE From United States, joined Jun 2004, 459 posts, RR: 1
Reply 5, posted (2 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 337 times:

Kohflot and SPREE34 have it right. If the certified wind speed/direction indicator is out of service ATC may use a backup that while technically correct is not legally "correct," hence the "estimated."
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