Glasgow Airport is installing a new radar system to mitigate the impacts of Banks Renewables’ 88MW Kype Muir wind farm near Strathaven in South Lanarkshire.
Air traffic services company NATS will deliver a dual Terma Scanter 4002 radar to the airport, following a successful trial.
The system is due to be operational in 2018 and NATS will also operate and maintain the radar for the 25-year life of the wind farm.
Wind turbines can have a range of effects on navigational systems, including being detected by primary surveillance radar and appearing on air traffic control screens because of their height and movement patterns, the airport said.
“This can distract controllers, mask ‘real’ aircraft and mimic the appearance of actual aircraft to the extent that they must be avoided by other aircraft,” it added.
Glasgow Airport head of planning and development Ross Nimmo said: “We have been working for over three years to develop this wind turbine mitigation solution in what is a very complex and safety critical environment.
“As well as resolving the issue with Kype Muir, the mitigation may also have the potential to resolve issues with other wind farm proposals.”
Image: Banks Renewables
NATS clears Kype Muir skies
Terma radar to mitigate impact of 88MW wind farm on Glasgow Airport
By EBS