Investigation of factors affecting aircraft vortex encounters

Large Aircraft wake vortices may sometimes cause significant disturbance to following aircraft. Separation standards between leading and following aircraft are proven to be overestimated in some cases, and therefore reducing airport capacity. Other times they are underestimated and hence causing aircraft incidences and accidents. An important contribution to the formation and revision of vortex separations depends on the recognition of vortex traverse by analysis of pilot reports together with a manual examination of data from flight data recorders (FDRs). However, the current process of flight events analysis is sometimes subjective and time consuming. Furthermore, there is sometimes disagreement between pilot reporting and analysis of flight data from FDR. Hence the current process requires improvement. This paper examines 54 pilot reports of transport aircraft vortex encounters to establish factors affecting the encounters. The research findings help the aviation authorities to impose new requirements such as training for pilots and FDR analysts on vortex identification. Findings can also contribute to enhance safety, improve operation efficiency and helps revision of the appropriateness of regulations of vortex separations. This paper also indicates further investigation areas that are essential for aircraft wake vortex analysis, identification and severity mitigation.