(57) A device for identifying aircraft on a runway has a plurality of sensors (20, 21,
22, 23, 24, 25, 26) spaced apart along a runway. A reference sensor (21) is adapted
to be operated by the nosewheel of an aircraft and several of the other sensors (22,
23, 24, 25, 26) is spaced apart from the reference sensor (21) at distances corresponding
to known wheelbases of different aircraft. By detecting coincident signals from the
reference sensor (21) and one of the other sensors (22, 23, 24, 25, 26) it is possible
to determine the wheelbase of the aircraft and thereby to determine which type of
aircraft is travelling along the runway. By having a further sensor (20) situated
before the other sensors, then by timing the interval between a signal from the further
sensor (20) and the reference sensor (21), it is possible to obtain a value for the
average speed of the aircraft along the runway.
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