A Numerical Simulation Study to Develop an Acceptable Wake Encounter Boundary for a B737-100 Airplane

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting research with the goal of enabling safe improvements in the capacity of the nation's air transportation system. The wake-vortex upset hazard is an important factor in establishing the minimum safe spacing between aircraft during landing and take-off operations, thus impacting airport capacity. A batch simulation study was conducted to assess the sensitivity of various safe landing criteria in the development of an acceptable wake encounter boundary. A baseline six-degree-of-freedom simulation of a B737-100 airplane was modified to include a wake model and the vortex-induced forces and moments. The guidance and control input for the airplane was provided by an auto-land system. The wake strength and encounter geometry were varied. A sensitivity study was also conducted to assess the effects of encounter modeling methods and accuracy.