Wind Effect Analysis on Instrument Flight Procedures Using a Turkish Wind Model

Abstract

This study focuses on an increase in efficiency in the construction of flight procedures considering wind effect in protection areas. In Turkish airspace, the International Civil Aviation Organization wind model is used in the construction of flight procedures. This model estimates extremely high wind-speed values compared to actual wind speed, and causes inefficient airspace utilization in procedure design. Better wind-speed estimations reduce the size of the protection areas. Because the protection areas are not allowed to overlap, this reduction provides flexibility for capacity enhancement plans and high-terrain intersections for flight procedures. In this regard, considering long-term meteorological statistical data, a unique wind-speed model has been developed for use in Turkish airspace. The wind effect of the Turkish model is discussed over the wind effect found using the International Civil Aviation Organization wind model, in which the reduction in the protection areas for 90 deg course changes is found to be 0.2 n miles (450 m) for ground and 0.7 n miles (1332 m) for an altitude of 24,000 ft. For holding maneuvers at 10,000 ft, at certain flight configurations for instance, the reduction in the protection areas can be up to 1.6 n miles (3000 m).