NASA has developed a ground-based system for accurately predicting aircraft wake turbulence behaviour on final approach. The system will allow an increase in runway capacity through the reduction of aircraft spacing on approach without risk of destabilising the aircraft behind, particularly when a small aircraft is following a large one.
Initial results from developmental testing at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport have shown that the Aircraft Vortex Spacing System (AVOSS) can increase a runway capacity by as much as 15%, depending on weather. The system can allow more widebody aircraft arrivals without upsetting the lighter craft, says NASA.
AVOSS determines how winds and other atmospheric conditions affect the wake vortex patterns of different aircraft. It uses laser radar technology to confirm wake and meteorological conditions, and computers which can measure and process actual atmospheric data to calculate safe spacing criteria automatically.
The agency says that up to now there has been no system to predict wake vortex patterns accurately and quantify the minimum safe aircraft approach spacing.
Source: Flight International