The RTS AWOS passed its annual inspection by All Weather and the FAA on Friday, August 17, 2018 with very positive feedback.
As part of this inspection, the All Weather Tech, with the FAA, inspects and checks the calibration of all the weather sensors, the monthly and triannual services and records that our Stead Airport staff takes care of, the radio transmission quality and strength, phone line, and the central processor here in the terminal.
All of our components were working well and reflecting accurate conditions. The All Weather tech noted how well our staff has kept the system serviced and cleaned through the year. I am extremely proud of how our staff has stepped up on this task since our in-house tech retired last year. Hopefully it indicates to all of us how the team is paying attention to your operational safety needs when it comes to caring for systems, pavements, and safety areas.
Two things that I get feedback from you about the AWOS that I checked on…
First, the radio is working very well with strong signal strength. The tech indicated that across different airfields there are always some “dead” spots where aircraft can struggle to hear AWOS on the ground. Sometimes this is a combination of elevations, buildings, other signals and antenna location on the aircraft.
Second, is that if you call the AWOS like I do in the winter, it can take a couple of minutes for the phone line to reset after someone hangs up. If the AWOS phone has not reset, you get a busy signal. The lesson is that if you get a busy signal, wait a couple of minutes before calling back so the line and messaging can reset, otherwise the reset can be prolonged.
As always, please share this info, and let us know when you see or experience an operational problem on the airfield so we can program it for correction.
v/r
Mike Scott
Reno-Stead Airport (RTS)
Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
775.328.6573