Aircraft wake vortices – from fundamental research to operational application

Abstract

Aircraft trailing vortices constitute both a kaleidoscope of instructive fluid dynamics phenomena and a challenge for the sustained development of the safety and capacity of the air-transportation system. This section gives an overview of the wake vortex issue commencing at its historical roots, proceeding with a sketch of the nature and characteristics of wake vortices resulting from field measurement and numerical simulation, and concluding with a depiction of the design and performance of wake vortex simulation systems established for the prediction of dynamic aircraft separations in different flight phases and for sensitivity and risk analysis.