MicroStep-MIS has completed the Factory Acceptance Test for an aviation meteorology modernization project in Moldova, covering AWOS reconstruction at Chișinău International Airport and the deployment of IMS AWOS and IMS Remote Observer technology at Mărculești International Airport.
The project includes the reconstruction and reinstallation of the Automated Weather Observing System at Chișinău International Airport - ICAO LUKK - as well as the deployment of an IMS AWOS and IMS Remote Observer system for Mărculești International Airport - ICAO LUBM.
The second part of the contract is especially significant for the future development of Mărculești Airport. Originally operating as a military airfield, Mărculești is being transformed into a civil aviation facility as part of the Moldovan government’s broader effort to support tourism, regional connectivity, and rural development in the area.
Since the airport is not expected to have a permanent on-site meteorological service, the IMS Remote Observer will play a key role in enabling reliable remote meteorological observation. Over the next year, the system is expected to support the transition to autonomous meteorological operations at Mărculești, with observations managed remotely from Chișinău.
The IMS Remote Observer is designed precisely for this type of operational scenario. By combining camera-based visibility and cloud coverage observation with advanced image processing, the system allows meteorologists to assess weather conditions remotely and prepare aviation weather reports from a centralized location. It supports efficient MET coverage for smaller and regional airports while reducing the need for permanent local staffing. Improved situational awareness from the Remote Observer also helps forecasters deliver more accurate and reliable forecasts.
The solution also enhances situational awareness by providing real-time images, historical archives, and reference images for comparison. The system can be seamlessly integrated with standard AWOS infrastructure. This makes it a valuable tool for airports where safety, operational efficiency, and cost-effective meteorological coverage must be balanced.
With this project, MicroStep-MIS continues to support the modernization of aviation meteorological infrastructure in Moldova and demonstrates how remote observation technologies can contribute to safe, efficient, and sustainable airport operations — particularly at smaller airports entering a new phase of civil aviation development.
