WAKE TURBULENCE ENCOUNTER SCHEME WORKING GROUP (WEWG)

SRG - AVIATION HOUSE -  4 SEP 2008

UKFSC CHIEF EXEC SUMMARY

 

-                                 The objective of the WEWG is to provide a forum to share information and data on wake turbulence encounters in the UK. It is jointly chaired by the CAA and NATS and will sit annually. Click here for TORs.

 

-                                 Agenda - the attendance also included Eurocontrol as a contributor.

 

 -          The Eurocontrol Rep explained that the introduction of the A380 into service had served to re-energise the interest in wake turbulence and its safety implications. Updated guidance on the A380 wake vortex aspects and radar separation minima has been issued on 30 June 2008.

 

-           Specialist radars are being deployed to develop more accurate wake turbulence models in order to identify more clearly what is a safe encounter – is it no wake or we at an acceptable level? Investigations are ongoing into the wake effects on parallel runway operations and the true effects of take-off capacity restrictions.

 

-           Eurocontrol in concert with the FAA is developing the following safety cases:

            -           A380 and 747-800

            -           Closely Spaced Parallel Runways/Crosswind Ops.

            -           Re-categorisation /rationalisation of ac groupings (heavy/medium etc).

            -           Time based separation (rather than distance to account for headwind).

 

-           In later work, they will review en-route, TMA and approach sep plus VLJs.

 

-           The CAA has issued issued an ATSIN on A380 wake sep requirements and will issue an update of AIC 17/1999 covering all wake turbulence restrictions and limitations with standard terminology.

 

-           In order to provide the evidence to develop more accurate and effective wake turbulence limitations and restrictions,  airlines are greatly encouraged to complete the Wake Turbulence Report Forms SRG 1423,  which are available on the net at http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/SRG1423.pdf – even if the encounter was not an MOR. Acknowledgement and feedback will be provided by NATS who will be party to CAA wake information.

 

-           Highlights from the 2007 NATS Wake Vortex Analysis Report were:

-           Prime aim was to monitor spacing effectiveness and identify follow-up actions to address.

-           The value of the report relies on accuracy and capture of all relevant facts.

-           227 reports in UK airspace in 2007 of which 54 were severe – 197 reports in 2006. The majority were inbound/outbounds at Heathrow. A trial has just commenced at Heathrow using LIDAR to investigate further.

 

Rich Jones

Chief Exec

UKFSC

2 October 2008