How do I get an AWOS?

I fly out of O61 (near Sacramento). Because our airport is 1000 feet
above Sacramento our weather (fog) tends to be different from
Sacramento. My partner and I end up driving up to the airport sometimes
just to find the weather isn't what we expected. What does it take to
get an AWOS? Has anyone on this group been involved in such a purchase?
-Robert

At SSQ (Shell Lake WI) the WiAero Dept last Friday tossed out a AWOS
number to us of about $100K plus $20K/yr to maintain it. It has to be
recertified every 5 years as I recall too. I didn't take any written
notes once the 100K number came out. There is I understand
considerable federal money available (like 80%) to help with the
intital purchase, but the maintenance cost to us was prohibitive.

At any rate, it is a pretty big deal.

(Others) - Did I get the numbers right - or is there a lower cost
method available? We have an immediately adjacent lake with ground fog
possibilities.

"Robert M. Gary" wrote:
What does it take to
get an AWOS? Has anyone on this group been involved in such a
purchase?
-Robert

There's certified ones, and noncertifieds. But even the cheaper ones
aren't cheap. Our airport considered it, and I recall a price of
$50-some thousand, like anything else manufactured in extremely low
volumes. And there's probably sticker shock associated with future
maintenance.

Fred F.

Robert M. Gary wrote:
I fly out of O61 (near Sacramento). Because our airport is 1000 feet
above Sacramento our weather (fog) tends to be different from
Sacramento. My partner and I end up driving up to the airport sometimes
just to find the weather isn't what we expected. What does it take to
get an AWOS? Has anyone on this group been involved in such a purchase?
-Robert

you might want to try here
http://www.allweatherinc.com/pdf/awos_purchase.pdf
It lists costs of between 15 and 60K.

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...

I fly out of O61 (near Sacramento). Because our airport is 1000 feet
above Sacramento our weather (fog) tends to be different from
Sacramento. My partner and I end up driving up to the airport sometimes
just to find the weather isn't what we expected. What does it take to
get an AWOS? Has anyone on this group been involved in such a purchase?


I don't know what an AWOS costs but I'll bet it's more than you want to
spend. If all you want to know is the fog situation a phone call to the FBO
should do fine.

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...

I don't know what an AWOS costs but I'll bet it's more than you want
to
spend. If all you want to know is the fog situation a phone call to
the FBO
should do fine.

What FBO?

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...

I don't know what an AWOS costs but I'll bet it's more than you want
to
spend. If all you want to know is the fog situation a phone call to
the FBO
should do fine.

What FBO?


The one selling fuel at the airport.

There are two self-serve pumps at the airport but there is no one there
operating them. There is an airport manager but he only works a couple
hours a week. Its funny, about 1/2 the time I'm out there I'll see some
transient pilot walk up and ask if there is a phone or bathroom at the
airport. Its not a "slow" airport at all. We have lots of people coming
and going, but no one seems to have been able to make a business work
out there. We currently have some rentals. There is a guy who rents
some planes out there but you must drive to his house (down the hill)
to get the keys from his wife, he doesn't operate from the airport.
There is an FBO out of Rancho Murienta airport that keeps a plane there
with keys in the back seat for its members, but again, no one is at the
airport itself. If I knew any of the airpark residence I could call
them and ask about the WX but those of us (about 80 planes) that rent
hangers and tie downs are the red headed step children of the airport,
the home owners would just assume not have us there.

-Robert

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
ups.com...

There are two self-serve pumps at the airport but there is no one there
operating them. There is an airport manager but he only works a couple
hours a week. Its funny, about 1/2 the time I'm out there I'll see some
transient pilot walk up and ask if there is a phone or bathroom at the
airport. Its not a "slow" airport at all. We have lots of people coming
and going, but no one seems to have been able to make a business work
out there. We currently have some rentals. There is a guy who rents
some planes out there but you must drive to his house (down the hill)
to get the keys from his wife, he doesn't operate from the airport.
There is an FBO out of Rancho Murienta airport that keeps a plane there
with keys in the back seat for its members, but again, no one is at the
airport itself. If I knew any of the airpark residence I could call
them and ask about the WX but those of us (about 80 planes) that rent
hangers and tie downs are the red headed step children of the airport,
the home owners would just assume not have us there.


AirNav.com shows "Cameron Airpark District" under "FBOs, Fuel Providers, and
Aircraft Ground Support" and "Attendance: 0800-1700".

our local airport 61B (Boulder NV) has an "automated Unicom" system, on the
CTAF freq, it calls out winds and altimeter setting, not sure it could do
visibility or cloud height. But it has to be activated by a radio
transmission on the CTAF freq. If it hears radio transmission activity, it
jumps in periodically with the wind information.

BT

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
I fly out of O61 (near Sacramento). Because our airport is 1000 feet
above Sacramento our weather (fog) tends to be different from
Sacramento. My partner and I end up driving up to the airport sometimes
just to find the weather isn't what we expected. What does it take to
get an AWOS? Has anyone on this group been involved in such a purchase?
-Robert