Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.

Without major changes, the current air transportation system will be unable to accommodate the expected increase in demand by 2025. One proposal to address this problem is to use the Global Positioning System to enable aircraft to fly more closely spaced. This approach, however, might be limited by the wake turbulence problem, which can be a safety hazard when smaller aircraft follow relatively larger aircraft too closely. To examine how this potential hazard might be reduced, Congress in 2005 directed NASA to request a study from the NRC to assess the federal wake turbulence R&D program. This book provides a description of the problem, an assessment of the organizational challenges to addressing wake turbulence, an analysis of the technical challenges in wake turbulence, and a proposal for a wake turbulence program plan. A series of recommendations for addressing the wake turbulence challenge are also given.

Wake vortex separation standards are used to prevent hazardous wake vortex encounters. A 'safe' separation model can be used to assess the safety of proposed changes in the standards. A safe separation model can be derived from an encounter hazard model and a vortex decay model. This report presents subsequent developments and applications of such a model which was first developed in the early 1980s. A static encounter hazard model is coupled with a decay model based on sodar measurements of vortex decay. The separation standards and procedures used from 1976 to 1994 are assumed to be safe based on the absence of IFR accidents. Various versions of the model are used to assess how aircraft should be classified and to evaluate the safety of a possible four-class aircraft separation system. Recommendations are made for ways of improving the safe separation models.