Escape strategies for turboprop aircraft in microburst windshear

Abstract : A quantitative analysis was carried out on the performance of turboprop aircraft within a microburst windshear. The objective of the analysis was to provide specific flight procedures for optimal navigation through the windshear. The microburst windshear model uses in the analysis embodied the severe characteristics of the microburst encountered by Delta Flight 191 during an approach to landing at Dallas/Ft. Worth, 2 August 1985. Different escape strategies were tested using the flight performance characteristics of the U.S. Navy's P-3 'Orion' and T-44 'Pegasus' aircraft. The three flight phases investigated were approach to landing, takeoff, and the low altitude ASW mission. Results from the analysis were coupled with the pilot's view point from which conclusions were drawn. The results of the analysis support a constant-pitch-angle escape procedure. The same procedural steps can be used for both aircraft in any configuration or situation with the difference being the degree of pitch to employ. The conclusions are in a format for integrating specific microburst escape procedures within the NATOPS programs for the P-3 and T-44.