Weather Hazard

 

Wind Shear

            Wind shear is the sudden change of wind velocity and/ or direction. Wind shear can occur at any altitude, but at low level altitudes it can be especially dangerous during takeoff and landing. Wind shear is dangerous to aircrafts due to the closeness of the aircraft to ground and the possibility of them not being detected, a silent danger. Wind shears usually occur where thunderstorms, frontal systems, temperature inversions, and surface obstructions are present. During takeoff or landing, wind shears can turn a routine task into an emergency. One way is by causing the pilot to either overshoot or undershoot the runway during takeoff. Pilots are required to identify and compensate for the loss in lift during a wind shear. The biggest factor would be if there is enough altitude to recover from the wind shear before causing an accident that could result in numerous fatalities.

Wind Shear Detection Services (WSDS) is a ground-based wind shear detection system that provides alerts and warnings to air traffic controllers. This system gives real-time detection of wind shear, microburst, gust fronts, and wind shifts and gives air traffic controllers the data needed to make runway changes if necessary. Three of the wind shear systems we currently use are; Weather Systems Processor, Low Level Wind Shear Alert System (LLWAS), and Wind Measuring Equipment. Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 that reportedly crashed due to wind shear on approach to JFK airport in 1975 led to the development of the original LLWAS in 1977.

Wind shear detection systems continue to be an integral part of our aviation industry. These systems along with air traffic controllers and pilots help with keeping our national airspace safe from wind shear accidents.

 

References

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/wsds/

https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/library/documents/2011/Aug/56407/FAA%20P-8740-40%20WindShear[hi-res]%20branded.pdf

 https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/14_phak_ch12.pdf

WC 280.

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