Airfield measurement that keeps the runway open
Runways, control towers, helipads, aprons and fuel farms depend on wind and weather data that keeps reporting through icing, crosswinds and winter operations. Gill ultrasonic wind measurement for FAA and CAA AWOS reporting, integrated weather stations and hazardous-area sensing are built for exactly that.
We aim to respond in one working day.
Reliable measurement keeps airport operations moving
Airport operations depend on accurate, reliable measurements. From runway crosswinds and de-icing conditions to hangar doors and heat stress on the apron, teams use environmental data to make decisions that affect safety, capacity and continuity of operations.
When measurements are unavailable or unreliable, teams may need to take a more cautious approach, potentially slowing operations and contributing to delays. Maintaining reliable data is therefore about more than sensor maintenance. Equipment installed in difficult-to-access locations can be harder to inspect, service or replace, making reliability and access important considerations from the outset.
Different parts of the airport also demand different measurements. Surface wind at the runway threshold, temperature and humidity for de-icing, rainfall and visibility for approach, and heat stress on the apron each present distinct requirements. The right technology must suit the operating environment, the decision it supports and the systems that use the data.
Where independent verification is required, Labcal provides UKAS-accredited calibration across six measurement parameters for equipment from multiple manufacturers. This enables airports to manage calibration across their wider measurement estate, not just equipment supplied by Gill.
One airport.
Many measurement points.
From runway thresholds and approach paths to helipads, de-icing pads, fuel farms and aircraft stands, different parts of an airport depend on different measurements.
Runway threshold and touchdown zone
Surface wind at the threshold is the number the crew acts on, and it is reported continuously whether or not anyone can reach the mast.
- WindObserver 70 FAA and CAA accepted for AWOS use, heated head, 0 to 70 m/s
- WindObserver 75 316 stainless open head where site winds run higher
- WindSonic 60 lighter 2-axis for a secondary reference
Runway midpoint reporting
Wind can differ along the length of a runway, so mid-point sensors give the tower a truer picture than a single threshold reading.
- WindObserver 70 1 to 4 Hz output, RS422 and RS485
- WindSonic 75 0 to 75 m/s, 0.5 kg, low-cost additional reporting point
- MetConnect THP adds temperature, humidity and pressure at the same location
Runway stop-end and secondary masts
Stop-end and secondary masts fill in the picture the threshold sensor cannot see, and they sit where access needs a runway closure.
- WindObserver 70 no moving parts to seize between inspections
- WindObserver 90 0 to 90 m/s where exposure demands the wider range
- WindSonic M heated aluminium body, operating to -40 degrees C
Approach and departure path
Approach decisions depend on wind, visibility and precipitation reported from the ground, at the rate the procedure needs.
- WindObserver 70 the model that carries FAA and CAA acceptance
- MaxiMet GMX501 wind, temperature, humidity, pressure and solar in one unit
- TruMet PW100 optical rainfall, 0 to 200 mm/hr, no moving parts
Control tower and ATIS reference
The tower display and the automated broadcast both trace back to one set of sensors, so the output format matters as much as the accuracy.
- WindObserver 70 RS422 and RS485, full or half duplex, 1200 to 38400 baud
- MetConnect One ASCII, Modbus RTU and ASCII, NMEA 0183 and SDI-12 v1.3
- MetConnect THP pairs with a heated remote anemometer for cold sites
AWOS and automatic weather station enclosure
The field station is where the parameters come together, and WMO siting wants them separated by height rather than stacked in one housing.
- MetConnect THP separates sensors by height, accepts Pt100 and analogue inputs
- WindObserver 70 the remote anemometer feeding the station
- TruMet PW100 contact-closure rainfall input, 0.1 mm resolution
Airfield wind reference and sensor siting
A wind sensor is only as good as where it sits. Obstructions, buildings and mast height all change what the instrument reports.
- WindObserver 75 open head holds accuracy as the flow angle increases
- WindSonic 60 0 to 360 degrees with no dead band
- MetConnect One integrated WindSonic with T, H and P in one hub
Helipad and HEMS operations
Rotary wing operations turn round fast and often at night, and the wind limit is checked at the pad rather than the main met station.
- WindObserver 70 heated, IP66, 316 stainless, icing tested to MIL-STD-810F
- MaxiMet GMX501 compact station where pad space and cabling are tight
- WindSonic M heated, 0.9 kg, for a lightweight pad-side reference
De-icing pad and winter operations
De-icing is scheduled against temperature, humidity and precipitation, and the holdover time depends on getting those three right.
- MetConnect THP temperature to 0.2 degrees C, humidity to 1.5 percent RH
- MaxiMet GMX550 wind, T, H, P and rainfall, optional heating to -40 degrees C
- WindSonic M heated wind sensor for the pad itself
Aircraft stands and ground handling
Ramp crews work through the hottest part of the day in high-visibility clothing, and heat stress is measured as WBGT rather than air temperature.
- MaxiMet GMX552 WBGT heat stress with wind, T, H and P, 1.29 kg, IP66
- MaxiMet GMX500 wind, temperature, humidity and pressure for the apron
- MetConnect One where the stand needs third-party sensor inputs too
Hangar doors and maintenance areas
Large hangar doors carry a wind limit, and the interlock needs a measurement it can act on rather than a forecast.
- WindSonic 60 0 to 60 m/s, 0.5 kg, straightforward to mount on a door frame
- WindObserver 65 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 or 10 Hz output for faster interlocks
- Blade position sensors non-contact door and actuator position feedback
Fuel farm and hydrant system
Fuel storage is a certified hazardous area, so the wind sensor has to carry the certification before anything else about it matters.
- WindObserver IS ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certified, EN 60945:2002 for EMC
- LevelPro capacitive liquid level sensing with no moving parts
- LevelLite level measurement for smaller tanks and bowsers
Airfield construction and crane operations
Cranes working airside stop at a defined wind speed, and the reading has to hold up if the stoppage is ever questioned.
- WindSonic 75 0 to 75 m/s, full-range accuracy published
- WindObserver 90 0 to 90 m/s for exposed lifts
- MaxiMet GMX200 wind only, 0.5 kg, for a temporary works mast
UAV operations and airspace monitoring
Drone inspection and BVLOS work at an airfield runs to its own wind limits, on airframes where every gram counts.
- WindUltra compact 2-axis, IP69k, low power, built for mobile platforms
- WindSonic 60 0.5 kg ground reference for launch and recovery
- MaxiMet GMX200 portable wind reference for a temporary operating site
Environmental and air quality monitoring
Noise and emissions reporting is only as defensible as the meteorology recorded alongside it, and that record has to run for years.
- MetConnect THP WMO-compliant separation, two analogue inputs and a Pt100 input
- MaxiMet GMX551 wind, T, H, P, solar and rainfall in one compact station
- TruMet PW100 optical rainfall, 5 percent accuracy, no tipping bucket to clear
Ground support equipment condition
Tugs, loaders and steps fail on the stand rather than in the workshop, and oil tells you what is wearing before the failure does.
- WearDetect oil debris sensing for wear particles in lubricated equipment
- LevelLite fluid level in fuel, oil and hydraulic tanks
- Blade position sensors non-contact position feedback with no wearing parts
Calibration and verification
A reported wind speed is only defensible if it is traceable, and an accredited certificate is what closes the question.
- UKAS-accredited air velocity calibration traceable certification for anemometers and probes
- Multi-parameter calibration six parameters, equipment from any manufacturer
- Recalibration scheduling intervals, reminders and turnaround
Airport applications, from runway to apron
Every airport environment presents different measurement challenges. Explore the applications below to understand what needs to be measured, why it matters and which technologies can support your requirements.
Runway and Surface Wind
Reliable wind reporting for runway operations
Accurate surface wind data helps airport teams assess conditions across the runway. Gill ultrasonic wind sensors support continuous reporting, with options for demanding environments and integration into airport weather systems.
AWOS and Airport Weather Systems
One field station, several parameters
An automatic weather station brings wind, temperature, humidity, pressure and rainfall together for automated reporting. WMO siting wants those sensors separated by height rather than stacked in a single housing, and most airports need to bring existing third-party sensors into the same station.
Helipads and HEMS
Wind limits checked at the pad
Hospital, offshore and airport helipads operate to their own wind and turbulence limits, often at night and on a short turnaround. A pad-side measurement gives the crew a reference at the point of landing rather than one taken from the main met station some distance away.
De-icing and Winter Operations
Hold the holdover time
De-icing decisions and holdover times depend on temperature, humidity and precipitation type and rate. Getting those three right decides how much fluid is used, how long an aircraft can hold, and how many movements the airport keeps in winter conditions.
Fuel Farms and Hazardous Areas
Certified before it is specified
Fuel storage, hydrant systems and refuelling areas are classified hazardous areas. Equipment installed there has to carry the right certification, and the wind and level measurements still have to work reliably once it does.
Apron, Stands and Ground Support Equipment
Measure what the ramp is exposed to
Ramp crews work through the hottest and coldest parts of the day, and heat stress is assessed as Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) rather than air temperature. On the equipment itself, capacitive sensors cover fuel, oil and hydraulic tanks with no moving parts, the Blade range provides non-contact position feedback, and WearDetect monitors oil for ferrous wear particles.
UAV and BVLOS Operations
A wind reference the flight can be authorised against
Uncrewed operations at or near an airfield need a wind reference at the launch and recovery point, because the limits are written against conditions at the aircraft. WindSonic or MaxiMet provide the ground reference, and where the sensor is carried on the airframe, WindUltra is the compact, low-power option built for mobile platforms.
insight
Why airport wind measurement is an approvals question first
Airports do not choose a wind sensor on specification alone. Surface wind reporting for AWOS sits inside an approvals framework, and the instrument has to be acceptable before its accuracy is interesting.
Across the Gill wind sensor range, the WindObserver 70 is the model that states FAA and CAA acceptance for AWOS use. It measures 0 to 70 m/s, outputs at 1 to 4 Hz, and uses a heated 316 stainless open head with no moving parts anywhere in the measurement.
Traditional cup and vane anemometers rely on bearings that wear, seize or foul. Gill was amongst the first to commercialise ultrasonic wind measurement to remove those parts from the measurement entirely, which is why the same sensor design now sits on runway masts, helidecks, offshore platforms and met towers.
Approval settles the shortlist. What decides how long the installation lasts is access. In practice a sensor is replaced early because of where it sits rather than because it failed: a mast that needs a runway closure gets inspected less often, so a fault is found later and the replacement is planned around the operation rather than the equipment. That is the argument for specifying above the minimum. The cost difference between a sensor that lasts five years and one that lasts fifteen is small next to the movements lost to the closures required to change it three times.
Find the right technology for your requirements
Gill’s aviation portfolio covers ultrasonic wind sensors, compact and configurable weather stations, and specialist sensing options for demanding environments. The right choice depends on what you need to measure, where the equipment will operate, the approvals required and how the data must be integrated. Explore the ranges below, or speak to our team if you need help narrowing down the options.
Meteorological Technology
WindObserver
Heated 316 stainless open-head 2-axis anemometer
The range that carries the aviation, marine and hazardous-area approvals. The WindObserver 70 is the model that states FAA and CAA acceptance for AWOS use.
WindSonic
Lightweight 2-axis ultrasonic anemometer
For hangar door interlocks, temporary works masts and secondary reporting points where a full WindObserver is more sensor than the job needs.
MaxiMet
All-in-one weather station, no moving parts
One unit, one cable, one output string. The GMX552 adds WBGT heat stress for ramp and ground handling teams.
MetConnect
Separable weather station with third-party inputs
The answer when sensors need separating by height for WMO siting, or when existing airport sensors have to feed the same station.
Industrial Sensors
TruMet PW100
Infrared optical rain gauge
A solid-state alternative to the tipping bucket, with a pulse output that replicates one so it drops into an existing airport system.
WindUltra
Compact 2-axis wind sensor
Built for mobile and uncrewed platforms, where weight, power draw and ingress protection all decide whether a sensor can be carried at all.
Level, position and condition sensing
Non-contact position feedback, capacitive liquid level sensing and oil debris monitoring for ground support equipment, fuel infrastructure and airfield plant.
Calibration for your wider measurement estate
Airport measurement equipment needs to deliver results that can be trusted. Labcal is an independent UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory, operating to ISO/IEC 17025:2017, with accredited capabilities across six measurement parameters.
From anemometers and Pitot tubes to pressure instruments, temperature probes and humidity sensors, Labcal supports equipment from a wide range of manufacturers. That gives airport operators the opportunity to manage calibration across a wider range of instruments through one specialist laboratory.
01 · Gas and air flow
Gas meters · Mass flow controllers · Dispensing systems · Low-flow laboratory to higher-flow industrial
02 · Air velocity
Anemometers · Pitot tubes · Thermal probes
03 · Liquid flow
Flow meters and sensors · Process control equipment · Water used for the accredited capability
04 · Pressure
Gauges · Transducers · Manometers · Transmitters
05 · Temperature
Thermometers · Probes · Thermocouples · Data loggers
06 · Humidity
Hygrometers · Probes · Transmitters
Measurement that works with your existing systems
Reliable sensing is only part of the solution. The data must also reach the systems that use it, whether that means an existing AWOS, ATIS or a wider airport monitoring network.
Gill supplies the sensing technology and supports integration with airport operators, AWOS suppliers and OEMs. Our engineers can help with protocol selection, mounting and commissioning, as well as bespoke embedded solutions where a standard product does not meet the requirement.
Available interfaces and options include RS422, RS485, Modbus, SDI-12 and NMEA 0183, alongside selected analogue and third-party sensor inputs.
Outputs and options
- RS422 / RS485 : Serial into AWOS, ATIS and airfield systems
- Modbus & SDI-12 : Multi-sensor field stations and met networks
- NMEA 0183 : Where marine-format output is already in use
- Heated & IS variants : Icing conditions and fuel-area classification
Why airports choose Gill
Aviation-relevant approvals
The WindObserver 70 is identified by Gill as accepted by the FAA and CAA for AWOS use. The WindObserver IS also offers ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certification for applicable hazardous-area requirements.
Ultrasonic measurement
Gill’s ultrasonic wind sensors have no moving parts in the measurement mechanism, removing the bearings and moving components associated with traditional cup-and-vane instruments.
Designed for demanding environments
Selected products offer heating, robust construction and specified icing performance for applications where reliable reporting is particularly important.
A broad measurement portfolio
Wind, weather, rainfall and heat-stress measurement, alongside industrial sensing technologies for relevant airport applications.
Integration support
Engineers can support protocol selection and integration into existing airport systems, working with operators, system suppliers and OEMs.
Independent calibration capability
Labcal provides UKAS-accredited calibration across six parameters for equipment from a wide range of manufacturers.
Aviation application notes and technical resources
Explore practical examples of Gill sensing technology in airport, helipad and UAV applications. These resources provide further technical context, from surface wind reporting and airport sensor networks to wind measurement for UAV launch sites.
- ApplicationUltrasonic wind sensors and weather stations for UAV launch sites
- ApplicationAccurate observation and reporting of surface wind at airports
- Application note AN0017Advanced Sensor Network developed for Heathrow Airport incorporates Gill WindSonic Sensors
- Application note AN0030MetPak As Part Of A Helipad Light Control System
- Application note AN0047WindObserver used at airports worldwide
Airport measurement questions, from approval to installation
Airport weather monitoring commonly includes wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, pressure, rainfall and, depending on the application, visibility and heat-stress measurements. The required parameters depend on the reporting system, airfield layout and operational requirements.
Airport surface wind is typically measured using an anemometer positioned at defined points around the airfield, such as runway thresholds and mid-points. Ultrasonic anemometers measure wind speed and direction without rotating sensing components, making them suitable for installations where reliability and low maintenance are important.
Ultrasonic wind sensors have no rotating wind-sensing components, removing bearings and other mechanical parts that can wear, seize or become fouled. This can be particularly valuable on airfield masts where access is restricted by aircraft movements and operational requirements.
They can be specified with heating and environmental protection for cold and icing conditions. The appropriate configuration depends on the operating environment, required wind range and applicable approval or environmental requirements. Gill’s WindObserver range includes heated variants and icing-tested configurations.
Gill states that the WindObserver 70 is accepted for FAA and CAA AWOS use. It measures wind from 0 to 70 m/s and provides 1 to 4 Hz output. Approval requirements should always be checked against the specific installation and current applicable requirements.
MaxiMet integrates multiple weather measurements into one compact instrument. MetConnect uses a separable architecture, allowing individual sensors to be positioned independently. MetConnect is therefore suited to installations where sensor positioning, WMO siting requirements or existing third-party sensors are part of the specification.
Not necessarily. The number and location of weather stations depends on runway configuration, reporting requirements, local conditions and the measurement system being used. Some measurements may need to be taken at specific points around the airfield rather than from a single station.
De-icing operations depend on environmental conditions including temperature, humidity and precipitation type and rate. The required measurements and calculation methods depend on the operational procedure and applicable standards.
Equipment installed in classified fuel-storage, hydrant and refuelling areas needs to meet the applicable hazardous-area certification requirements. Depending on the installation, this can include intrinsically safe wind sensing and liquid-level measurement.
Heat stress is commonly assessed using indices such as Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which combines environmental measurements rather than relying on air temperature alone. Gill’s MaxiMet GMX552 measures the environmental parameters required to calculate WBGT and also provides Thermal Work Limit (TWL).
Yes. The required interface depends on the receiving system. Gill equipment supports interfaces and protocols including RS422, RS485, Modbus, SDI-12 and NMEA 0183, alongside analogue and other sensor inputs on applicable systems.
There is no universal calibration interval for every airport installation. The appropriate interval depends on the instrument, operating environment, quality system, applicable standards and the consequences of measurement error. Calibration schedules should be established against the requirements of the specific installation.
Yes. Labcal, Gill Group’s independent UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory (Lab 0625), supports equipment from Gill and other manufacturers. Its UKAS scope covers six measurement parameters: air velocity, gas and air flow, liquid flow, pressure, temperature and humidity.
Speak to our team
Tell us what you need to measure, where and under what conditions. We’ll help you work out the appropriate approach.
We aim to respond in one working day.