The role of simulation in determining safe aircraft landing separation criteria

The role of flight simulation in determining safe aircraft landing separation criteria is reviewed and discussed. A broad conclusion is made that previous vortex-encounter simulations were useful for predicting the general response of an aircraft in the presence of trailing vortices and the type of separation criteria to emphasize. These simulations, however, were generally limited in scope and validation. Broad requirements for an accepted simulation methodology are presented. Key technological issues are addressed, including the addition of high-fidelity vortex models and aircraft/vortex interaction effects in the simulation, and validation of simulations with experimental data. Finally, results from a preliminary one-degree-of-freedom simulation are shown. These indicate that reduced landing spacings may be feasible and that current aircraft categorizations should be reviewed.