Development of a potential vortex-hazard index to predict cruise-level wake turbulence encounters

Abstract

A pair of counter-rotating trailing vortices formed as a consequence of lift generation poses a potential threat to the encountering aircraft. In recent years, incidents/accidents involving wake turbulence confrontation at cruise altitude are increasing due to increase in the number of super-heavy category aircraft. The vertical separation distance between two airplanes guided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could be inadequate in certain cases. In this article, a new approach has been proposed to predict the probable area of the persistence of trailing vortices produced by large aircraft. It includes the development of an index with multiple atmospheric effects on the vortices. Also, the impact of the wake from a distinct airplane is incorporated. The performance assessment of the index in predicting the cruise-level wake vortex encounters has been made using various scenarios that happened in the recent past. Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is employed to simulate the atmospheric flow conditions of chosen situations. We found that the method successfully predicts all the cases considered in this study.

Effect of Winglet Serration Geometry on the Wingtip Vortex

“…Alternatively, a wingtip vortex may also pose significant risk to downstream aircraft, pushing them to the extremes (and beyond) of their handling capabilities. Due to an insufficient understanding about the complex nature of wingtip vortex decay, conservative estimates are necessary when deciding on aircraft landing intervals [3]. This in turn can lead to long holding patterns, which increases the environmental and financial footprint of aviation.…”