Wake Vortex Separation Standards


Book Description

Wake vortex separation standards are used to prevent hazardous wake vortex encounters. A 'safe' separation model can be used to assess the safety of proposed changes in the standards. A safe separation model can be derived from an encounter hazard model and a vortex decay model. This report presents subsequent developments and applications of such a model which was first developed in the early 1980s. A static encounter hazard model is coupled with a decay model based on sodar measurements of vortex decay. The separation standards and procedures used from 1976 to 1994 are assumed to be safe based on the absence of IFR accidents. Various versions of the model are used to assess how aircraft should be classified and to evaluate the safety of a possible four-class aircraft separation system. Recommendations are made for ways of improving the safe separation models.







Aircraft Wake Vortices


Book Description




A Preliminary Study of a Wake Vortex Encounter Hazard Boundary for a B737-100 Airplane


Book Description

A preliminary batch simulation study was conducted to define the wake decay required for a Boeing 737-100 airplane to safely encounter a Boeing 727 wake and land. The baseline six-degree-of-freedom B737 simulation was modified to include a wake model and the strip-theory calculation of the vortex-induced forces and moments. The guidance and control inputs for the airplane were provided by an autoland system. The wake strength and encounter altitude were varied to establish a safe encounter boundary. The wake was positioned such that the desired flight path traversed the core of the port Vortex. Various safe landing criteria were evaluated for defining a safe encounter boundary. A sensitivity study was also conducted to assess the effects of encounter model inaccuracies. Reimer, Heidi M. and Vicroy, Dan D. Langley Research Center NASA-TM-110223, NAS 1.15:110223 RTOP 505-64-13-02...