Automated Weather Observing System Causing Flight Delays

Automated Weather Observing System Causing Flight Delays

UPDATE: 10:10 A.M. AWOS is back up and running, Denver Air is now coordinating flights.

UPDATE 9:35 A.M. An FAA Technician is on the field, working on the AWOS now.

CLOVIS, NM (June 26, 2023)– The Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) unit, owned, operated and controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is currently down at Clovis Regional Airport. Due to the absence of the system, flights are delayed.

AWOS supports aviation safety by providing automatic, up-to-the-minute weather reports to pilots via radio, telephone, or the internet, and is monitored remotely by FAA staff to ensure the system operates properly year-round. An AWOS-3PT monitors wind, temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, visibility, sky condition, precipitation, and detects thunderstorms. Accurate wind readings are of particular importance to Clovis Regional Airport and the system reports automated weather reports to the FAA, making weather data available to the public.

“AWOS is a system we use to make sure everyone who flies in and out of Clovis is safe. If the system goes down, we have to put a pause on flights,” said Amanda Brungart, Director of Clovis Regional Airport. “Weather systems are in place to make flying safer. Before an aircraft begins its final approach, the pilot will obtain an automatic reading from the AWOS to find out the direction of the wind and its velocity. He/She then is able to make a decision on which runway to safely land on. Since we are unable to relay that type of information, we have delayed flights until the FAA has the system up and running. ”

To check your flight status, please visit DenverAirConnection.com or call 713-877-9010.

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