Flight tests were conducted in the fall of 1995 off the coast of Wallops Island, Virginia in order to determine characteristics of wake vortices at flight altitudes. A NASA Wallops Flight Facility C130 aircraft equipped with smoke generators produced visible wakes at altitudes ranging from 775 to 2225 m in a variety of atmospheric conditions, orientations (head wind, cross wind), and airspeeds. Meteorological and aircraft parameters were collected continuously from a Langley Research Center OV-10A aircraft as it flew alongside and through the wake vortices at varying distances behind the C130. Meteorological data were also obtained from special balloon observations made at Wallops. Differential GPS capabilities were on each aircraft from which accurate altitude profiles were obtained. Vortices were observed to rise at distances beyond a mile behind the C130. The maximum altitude was 150 m above the C130 in a near neutral atmosphere with significant turbulence. This occurred from large vertical oscillations in the wakes. There were several cases when vortices did not descend after a very short initial period and remained near generation altitude in a variety of moderately stable atmospheres and wind shears.


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    Title :

    Documentation of Atmospheric Conditions During Observed Rising Aircraft Wakes


    Contributors:
    J. A. Zak (author) / W. G. Rodgers (author)

    Publication date :

    1997


    Size :

    42 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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    Neutral Atmospheric Effects on the Dissipation of Aircraft Vortex Wakes

    A. J. Bilanin / M. E. Teske / J. E. Hirsh | AIAA | 1978


    Vortex Wakes of Conventional Aircraft

    C. P. Donaldson / A. J. Bilanin | NTIS | 1975