2.3 - The Operating Environment and Aircraft Performance

    Wind shear: It can literally blow you out of the sky.   This deadly effect is a drastic change in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance.   Of these, one of the most dangerous types of wind shear is the microburst.

    A Microburst is a downward burst of wind.    Although microbursts are most frequent with severe thunderstorms, even light thunderstorms or even clouds with isolated showers can produce a microburst (Stiver, 2017).   The most common cause of microburst is downward pressure produced by cooling due to evaporation within a cloud (National Civil Aviation Agency - Brazil, n.d.). Microbursts are most dangerous on landing and taking off, as they can rapidly change your altitude.

    Many aircraft have been claimed to microburst throughout the years.  Among the most notable of them and heavily researched is Delta Airlines flight 191 that crashed in August of 1985.  This tragedy claimed 134 souls, including a driver of an automobile struck by falling debris.  This accident led to the FAA requiring better ground weather condition tracking by airports (Dallas Morning News, 2010).

    While wind shear is dangerous, the effects of wind shear can be avoided.  The pilot should request updated weather and METAR data prior to take-off and landing.  The pilot should avoid taking off or landing during storms. One of the most common signals of a microburst is a sudden speed change due to headwinds, followed by stalling of the aircraft (Ahrens & Henson, 2019).   

    If the pilot experiences a microburst on landing, they should aim to control the aircraft.  If possible, they should cancel the landing approach and return to a higher altitude.  If they experience the microburst close to land, they should be aware of the possibility of the tail hitting first and adjust the approach accordingly.  The pilot should be aware of the sudden tailwind when exiting the microburst, as overcorrections can cause the aircraft to crash (Ahrens & Henson, 2019).

References

Ahrens, C. D., & Henson, R. (2019). Meteorology Today. Boston: Cengage.

Dallas Morning News. (2010, August 2). 1985 Delta 191 disaster at D/FW Airport gave rise to broadsafety overhaul. Retrieved from https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2010/08/02/1985-delta-191-disaster-at-d-fw-airport-gave-rise-to-broad-safety-overhaul/

National Civil Aviation Agency - Brazil. (n.d.). Wind Shear. Retrieved from https://www.anac.gov.br/en/safety/aeronautical-meteorology/conditions/wind-shear

Stiver, C. (2017, August 31). What is Wind Shear? Retrieved from WMFZ-TV 69 News: https://www.wfmz.com/weather/what-is-wind-shear/article_ee63ee8f-4408-54ee-bc63-e88da1e24fe1.html

Comments

  1. AAronFebruary 20, 2021 at 7:17 PM

    Hello Brandon Giles,

    I just want to say you got a lot going on in your blog. It is interesting how you have pictures and videos and advertisements! The first part of your blog was hard to read with your text over your background pictures. The white text with grey background was a very interesting choice.
    Are all microbursts a downward burst of wind or could there also be a microburst that are an upward burst of wind?
    I can understand how a downward force of wind that can cause the plane to make contact with the ground very undesirable.
    It is always interesting to see that the FAA had to wait until after a major accident to require better ground tracking of weather. I could imagine the since 1985 crash that the technology to track weather has grown exponentially.
    How does a pilot aim to control a landing while a micro burst happens? Is the best course of action to always avoid all weather? How does a pilot combat the effect of a tailwind?



    Have a good day


    Aaron

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2022 at 11:41 AM

    Play Free Roulette & Casino Game Online (ROULETTE) - Thtobet
    Free Roulette & Casino Game Online (ROULETTE) 샌즈카지노 - Thtobet. Free Roulette & Casino Game Online (ROULETTE) - Thtobet. Free Roulette & Casino Game Online (ROULETTE) rb88 - Thtobet. Free jeetwin Casino Game Online (ROULETTE) - Thtobet.

    ReplyDelete
  3. zanobiibsenNovember 8, 2022 at 7:09 PM

    They provide information and recommendation to encourage accountable gambling, both to players and casino operators, and give assist to those who may need a gambling problem. Odd or even quantity bets payout at 1 to 1, and so do bets on 18 numbers like 1-18 or 19-36. The algorithmic form of the proportionate choice kind of a} biased roulette wheel, the place every string is allotted a slot sized in proportion to its health. In the roulette wheel choice,29 every slice on a roulette wheel has a width similar to the particle's choice probability. For employee and employer alike, abstract justice on 먹튀사이트 먹튀프렌즈 the farm may have appeared more attractive than the roulette wheel of the courtroom.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

3.2 - Aircraft Systems and Flight

Image
The ignition system plays a vital role in the operations of an aircraft powered by a reciprocating engine. At the heart of the ignition system is the magneto.   The magneto has been used successfully since early machines, and the first patent for one was issued in 1914  (Wild & Kroes, 2013) .  Although modern engines on automobiles do not use a magneto due to being seen as outdated technology, they are still the preferred ignition system in aircraft due to the extreme reliability, general ruggedness, and proven technology  (Crane, 2018) . As the magneto is the ignition system’s heart, without a functioning magneto, an aircraft would fail.   Without the magneto producing a spark, fuel would not be able to ignite; without fuel igniting, no power would be created; without power, the aircraft is not going anywhere (except down if it’s in the air).  A failure of the magneto can be catastrophic for the airplane  (Crane, 2018) . Luckily straight...
Read more

5.3 - Team-Based Human Factors Challenges

Image
  In 1903, 80% of aviation accidents were caused by equipment; however, as reliability has increased, accidents are rarely caused by technology.  Now, 80% of accidents and incidents are caused by human factors.  Its estimated 50% of delays due to engine issues are caused by maintenance errors, which cost the airlines up to $9000 per hour (Rankin, 2007)    What are human Factors? •         Communication problems •         Compliancy •         Lack of Knowledge •         Distractions •         Lack of Teamwork Pressure •         Lack of Assertiveness •         Stress •         Lack of awareness •         Norms   Reducing hum...
Read more

1.4 - What Does Ethics in the Aviation Profession Mean to You?

Image
       In his writing Nicomachean Ethics, the philosopher Aristotle stated, “Each person judges nobly the things he knows, and of these he is a good judge”  (Aristotle, 340bc) . As such, I think any conversation about ethics should begin with a conversation about training. Without proper training and knowledge, any aviation professional lacks the basic requirements to be able to make ethical decisions.  Only when training has been obtained can proper ethics be applied.      The Merriam-Webster Dictionary contains two definitions for ethics.  This blog will focus on the first definition, which states, “A discipline dealing with good and evil and with moral duty”  (Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2019) .        When we examine the first part, “A discipline dealing with good and evil,” we see that ethics can be good or bad.  Good ethics would be an aviation professional deciding to perform the task correctly and fo...
Read more