1fa. MicroburstsMicrobursts can pose a serious threat to aircraft,
especially during takeoffs and landings (Figure 11-5-1). The horizontal
spreading of a microburst creates strong wind shear when it reaches the
surface. For example, air may flow westward on one side of the
microburst while spreading eastward on the opposite side. Imagine what
this might do to an aircraft attempting to land in a microburst. As the
plane enters the microburst, a headwind provides lift, to which the
pilot might respond by turning the aircraft downward. As soon as the
plane passes the core of the downdraft, however, the headwind not only
disappears, it is replaced by a tailwind, decreasing lift. Coming after
the pilot’s earlier downward adjustment, this causes the plane to
abruptly drop in altitude. Because the plane is not far above the ground
when these events occur, the pilot may not have time to compensate
before a deadly crash occurs.Fortunately, such disasters are rare. They
are also becoming less likely because the installation of Doppler radar
at about 40 U.S. airports has proven highly effective at detecting
microbursts, with a detection rate of about 95 percent.FIGURE 11-5-1
Microbursts can make aircraft landing and takeoff perilous. A plane
flying into the headwinds of a microburst gets a sudden increase in
lift. This lift suddenly disappears and is replaced by a tailwind as it
exits the downdraft, thereby reducing the lift, If the pilot
overcompensates and guides the plane downward while entering the
downdraft, a dangerous drop in altitude may occur. Notice the curl at
the ends of the downdrafts, which mark the outer limit of the microburst
at the ground....Explain how microbursts create a threat to aircraft. Get solution
2fa. MicroburstsMicrobursts can pose a serious threat to aircraft, especially during takeoffs and landings (Figure 11-5-1). The horizontal spreading of a microburst creates strong wind shear when it reaches the surface. For example, air may flow westward on one side of the microburst while spreading eastward on the opposite side. Imagine what this might do to an aircraft attempting to land in a microburst. As the plane enters the microburst, a headwind provides lift, to which the pilot might respond by turning the aircraft downward. As soon as the plane passes the core of the downdraft, however, the headwind not only disappears, it is replaced by a tailwind, decreasing lift. Coming after the pilot’s earlier downward adjustment, this causes the plane to abruptly drop in altitude. Because the plane is not far above the ground when these events occur, the pilot may not have time to compensate before a deadly crash occurs.Fortunately, such disasters are rare. They are also becoming less likely because the installation of Doppler radar at about 40 U.S. airports has proven highly effective at detecting microbursts, with a detection rate of about 95 percent.FIGURE 11-5-1 Microbursts can make aircraft landing and takeoff perilous. A plane flying into the headwinds of a microburst gets a sudden increase in lift. This lift suddenly disappears and is replaced by a tailwind as it exits the downdraft, thereby reducing the lift, If the pilot overcompensates and guides the plane downward while entering the downdraft, a dangerous drop in altitude may occur. Notice the curl at the ends of the downdrafts, which mark the outer limit of the microburst at the ground....Describe the efforts that have been undertaken to reduce aircraft vulnerability to microbursts. Get solution
2fa. MicroburstsMicrobursts can pose a serious threat to aircraft, especially during takeoffs and landings (Figure 11-5-1). The horizontal spreading of a microburst creates strong wind shear when it reaches the surface. For example, air may flow westward on one side of the microburst while spreading eastward on the opposite side. Imagine what this might do to an aircraft attempting to land in a microburst. As the plane enters the microburst, a headwind provides lift, to which the pilot might respond by turning the aircraft downward. As soon as the plane passes the core of the downdraft, however, the headwind not only disappears, it is replaced by a tailwind, decreasing lift. Coming after the pilot’s earlier downward adjustment, this causes the plane to abruptly drop in altitude. Because the plane is not far above the ground when these events occur, the pilot may not have time to compensate before a deadly crash occurs.Fortunately, such disasters are rare. They are also becoming less likely because the installation of Doppler radar at about 40 U.S. airports has proven highly effective at detecting microbursts, with a detection rate of about 95 percent.FIGURE 11-5-1 Microbursts can make aircraft landing and takeoff perilous. A plane flying into the headwinds of a microburst gets a sudden increase in lift. This lift suddenly disappears and is replaced by a tailwind as it exits the downdraft, thereby reducing the lift, If the pilot overcompensates and guides the plane downward while entering the downdraft, a dangerous drop in altitude may occur. Notice the curl at the ends of the downdrafts, which mark the outer limit of the microburst at the ground....Describe the efforts that have been undertaken to reduce aircraft vulnerability to microbursts. Get solution
