|
Assessment of aircraft operations in strong wind conditions
In the Netherlands the presence of strong wind is a frequent phenomenon. As a consequence aircraft operations in the
Netherlands are often subject to strong wind conditions and associated turbulence. These adverse environmental conditions
can affect aviation in several ways, ranging from flight handling to airport operational aspects. In response to several questions
in this area from various customers NLR-ATSI has gathered a wide area of expertise concerning the safety aspects of aircraft operations in
strong wind conditions, and particularly in cross- and tailwind.
After an accident with a Boeing 757 at Schiphol Airport, on
Christmas Eve 1997, under severe wind conditions, this knowledge
became especially relevant and was further extended. NLR-ATSI
was involved in the investigation of this particular accident
to determine the wind conditions encountered during the accident
(see RvTV report
97-75/A-26).
At the same time NLR-ATSI conducted an extensive study into the
safety aspects of aircraft operations in crosswind, dealing
with aspects like aircraft certification procedures, wind
measurement and reporting procedures, and specific flight
handling aspects (see NLR-TP-2001-217).
As result of the investigation into mentioned accident the runway
assignment procedures at Schiphol Airport became under close
scrutiny. A change in these procedures may have significant
consequences for the capacity of the airport, as well as for
the noise exposure of the neighbourhood. Therefore, an independent
Committee, under leadership of Mr. Rinnooy Kan, was established
in 1999 to investigate this issue in-depth and provide recommendations
that would balance the safety, capacity and environmental aspects
of any solution. Again, based on its proven expertise NLR-ATSI was
called upon to provide the Committee with a study in which all
three aspects were addressed (see Report NLR-2000-082).
Based on this study the Committee recommended an adaptation
of the runway assignment procedures that improved safety without
undue sacrifices in capacity or noise exposure. This procedure
has been accepted and is currently implemented at Schiphol Airport.
In addition, this new procedure has recently been adopted within
the ICAO regulations as a recommended practice for runway assignment.
Based on it’s experience gained in mentioned projects the safety
institute has been involved in several other wind-related projects
during recent years. Examples are a study into the safety aspects
of tailwind operations (see NLR-TP-2001-003),
an innovative study to mitigate crosswind effects by means of
windscreens, and several studies into wake-effects from large
constructions and buildings at the airport on aircraft safety.
|
