CALIBRATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A LIGHTWEIGHT PROPELLOR ANEMOMETER FOR MICROMETEOROLOGICAL RESEARCH

The results of calibrations of the airspeed measurement, distance cons tant and cosine response for a sensitive propellor (vane) anemometer a re described. A triad of these anemometers may be used to measure wind velocity, and the estimated uncertainty in this measurement is evalua ted for a typical triad and a range of wind directions. The propellor anemometers tested provide sensitivity similar to that of sonic anemom eters for research, but at much lower cost (although for a narrower ra nge of wind conditions). Large arrays of the anemometers allow the spa tial and temporal structure of wind turbulence to be measured directly . The anemometers have been used for several years, and are robust eno ugh for micrometeorological research.