article thumbnail

Today in Aviation History: Loss of USS Macon

Vintage Aviation News

The airship initially recovered, dumping ballast and stabilizing at 700 feet above the sea and returning to its cruising altitude of 1,600 feet, but the ship was sent into another plunge, falling a rate of 14 feet per second tail-down.

Lift 59
article thumbnail

Recognising NASA Technology on Modern Airliners

Fear of Landing

Airborne Wind Shear Detection During the 1980s and 1990s, NASA led a comprehensive research program to identify the characteristics of dangerous wind shear and validated technologies that can predict its severity while in flight.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

Are Dry Microbursts Really An Invisible Trap? – Responding to Reactions

Chess In the Air

Considering the delay in the AWOS reporting, it may also be helpful to proactively use the radio to ask anyone on the ground for the current winds (e.g. Microbursts are not the only source of severe wind-shear close to the ground. Sudden and very powerful surface winds can have various other causes. the local FBO).

article thumbnail

Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts

Chess In the Air

The Rifle ASOS recorded a gust of 43 mph from the south: a 100-degree shift in direction, putting it right on his tail. Moderate wind shear in some areas could make some thermals somewhat difficult to work but that, too, is typical. ” The wind gust could of course only be reported after it had been measured.

Pilot 52
article thumbnail

Aviation Weather 101: What Makes Microbursts So Dangerous?

Pilot Institute

The pilots fought to recover, but the wind shear was too strong. Key Takeaways Microbursts can cause severe wind shear and downdrafts. It is the most severe type of wind shear. Theyre a form of low-level wind shear, which is a rapid shift in wind speed or direction near the ground.

article thumbnail

B-1B bomber accident at Ellsworth AFB caused by crew errors, unhealthy culture

Aerotime

At approximately 17:47 local time, the B-1B supersonic bomber, tail number 85-0085, crash-landed outside Runway 13 at Ellsworth Air Force Base. However, the aircraft experienced wind shear, dropped below the glideslope and became thrust deficient.