Matt308
Glock Perfection
ATW Daily News
A380 wake vortex study provides some good news for Airbus
Friday September 29, 2006
A380 wake turbulence is not as serious an issue as ICAO has feared, based on the findings of the Airbus Wake Vortex Steering Group, which the manufacturer released yesterday.
ICAO, in an interim recommendation, called for 10 nm. of separation between an A380 on approach and a following aircraft (ATWOnline, June 15). However, the Steering Group, which comprised representatives from the European JAA, Eurocontrol, US FAA and Airbus, will recommend that this distance "only be applied to light aircraft." The current standard is 6 nm.
In situations where the A380 is followed by a "heavy" aircraft, the group will recommend spacing be increased from 4 nm. under the existing rule to 6 nm. and from 5 nm. to 8 nm. for a medium-sized aircraft. However, Airbus said, "the A380 can land as close as practicable to the preceding aircraft," even another A380, "and this can compensate for the additional spacing required for the following one."
For departures, a heavy aircraft following an A380 will have to wait 2 min. and medium-sized and light aircraft will have to wait 3 min. Airbus noted again that the A380 can take off "as close as possible to any preceding airliner."
For cruise and when flying in a holding pattern, the A380 is "very similar to the 747" and "is considered to be identical to any other aircraft both for vertical and horizontal spacing." ICAO had recommended separation of 10 nm.
Airbus said further that while not specifically addressed by the Steering Group, "flight tests provided no indication of impact on parallel runway operations for runways separated by more than 760 m. (2,500 ft.)," although it added that "this should be monitored in operational service for verification."
A380 wake vortex study provides some good news for Airbus
Friday September 29, 2006
A380 wake turbulence is not as serious an issue as ICAO has feared, based on the findings of the Airbus Wake Vortex Steering Group, which the manufacturer released yesterday.
ICAO, in an interim recommendation, called for 10 nm. of separation between an A380 on approach and a following aircraft (ATWOnline, June 15). However, the Steering Group, which comprised representatives from the European JAA, Eurocontrol, US FAA and Airbus, will recommend that this distance "only be applied to light aircraft." The current standard is 6 nm.
In situations where the A380 is followed by a "heavy" aircraft, the group will recommend spacing be increased from 4 nm. under the existing rule to 6 nm. and from 5 nm. to 8 nm. for a medium-sized aircraft. However, Airbus said, "the A380 can land as close as practicable to the preceding aircraft," even another A380, "and this can compensate for the additional spacing required for the following one."
For departures, a heavy aircraft following an A380 will have to wait 2 min. and medium-sized and light aircraft will have to wait 3 min. Airbus noted again that the A380 can take off "as close as possible to any preceding airliner."
For cruise and when flying in a holding pattern, the A380 is "very similar to the 747" and "is considered to be identical to any other aircraft both for vertical and horizontal spacing." ICAO had recommended separation of 10 nm.
Airbus said further that while not specifically addressed by the Steering Group, "flight tests provided no indication of impact on parallel runway operations for runways separated by more than 760 m. (2,500 ft.)," although it added that "this should be monitored in operational service for verification."
