Aircraft control in a downburst on takeoff and landing

Dynamic optimization and feedback control system design techniques are used to determine proper guidance laws for aircraft in the presence of downbursts, and insensitivity to downburst structures is emphasized. Avoidance is the best policy. If an inadvertent encounter occurs when the aircraft is already close to or even in the downburst, the pilot should concentrate on vertical flight, unless he is sure which direction to turn for winds of less intensity. If such an encounter happens on takeoff, maximum thrust should be aggressively and a lower climb rate or even descending flight is recommended. Similar strategy is applicable for abort landing. If an encounter happens on landing and encounter height is low, landing should proceed. It is recommended that the nominal horizontal and vertical velocities w.r.t. the ground should be maintained, subject to a minimum airspeed constraint. A landing control logic is designed to accomplish this.<>