The wake vortex prediction and monitoring system WSVBS Part I: design

Abstract

In order to meet future needs for increased airport capacity for approach and landing on closely-spaced parallel runways, the Deutsche Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt developed the Wake Vortex Prediction and Monitoring System, or WSVBS. This article describes the design of the WSVBS, including its components and their interaction, in part one of two articles in this journal. The authors explain the rationale for development of such a tool: the authors suggest the introduction of a wake-vortex advisory system could save some $15 million annually in direct operating costs at congested airports with closely-spaced parallel runway configuration. The authors provide a system overview; a review of related wake vortex advisory systems; the required topology; and the necessary meteorological data for temporal and spatial coverage. An important feature of the WSVBS is the use of measured and predicted meteorological quantities as input to wake vortex prediction. Also included is a section on systems integration that describes how components are combined for prediction of adapted aircraft separations.