Flight Test Investigation of the Vortex Wake Characteristics Behind a Boeing 727 During Two-Segment and Normal ILS Approaches

Flight Test Investigation of the Vortex Wake Characteristics Behind a Boeing 727 During Two-Segment and Normal ILS Approaches
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 142
Release: 1975
Genre:
ISBN:

A series of flight tests were performed to evaluate the vortex wake characteristics of a Boeing 727 (B727-200) aircraft during conventional and two-segment ILS approaches. Twelve flights of the B727, equipped with smoke generators for vortex marking, were flown wherein its vortex wake was intentionally encountered by a Lear Jet model 23 (LR-23) or a Piper Twin Comanche (PA-30); and its vortex location during landing approach was measured using a system of photo-theodolites. The tests showed that at a given separation distance there were no readily apparent differences in the upsets resulting from deliberate vortex encounters during the two types of approaches. Timed mappings of the position of the landing configuration vortices showed that they tended to descend approximately 91 meters (300 feet) below the flight path of the B727. The flaps of the B727 have a dominant effect on the character of the trailed wake vortex. The clean wing produces a strong, concentrated vortex. As the flaps are lowered, the vortex system becomes more diffuse. Pilot opinion and roll acceleration data indicate that 4.5 nautical miles would be a minimum separation distance at which roll control could be maintained during parallel encounters of the B727's landing configuration wake by small aircraft. This minimum separation distance is generally in scale with results determined from previous tests of other aircraft using the same roll control criteria. (Author).

A Method for Assessing the Impact of Wake Vortices of USAF Operations

A Method for Assessing the Impact of Wake Vortices of USAF Operations
Author: George Kurylowich
Publisher:
Total Pages: 114
Release: 1979
Genre: Helicopters
ISBN:

Experience as a consultant to the Safety Office at Norton AFB led to compiling the engineering tools presented so that this report can be used by engineering personnel to investigate future incidents/accidents and existing USAF operations that are impacted by the vortical wake hazard. The approach presented is amenable to easy hand computations. Mixed airplane/helicopter operations can be assessed, since the engineering tools to determine the location and strength of the rotor downwash field behind a helicopter are presented. Finally, a simplified mathematical model is given to represent this hazard for use in USAF simulators, to make pilots aware of the problems associated with operating in wake-contaminated airspace.

Aeronautical Engineering

Aeronautical Engineering
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 524
Release: 1977
Genre: Aeronautics
ISBN:

A selection of annotated references to unclassified reports and journal articles that were introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system and announced in Scientific and technical aerospace reports (STAR) and International aerospace abstracts (IAA).