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Aviation Winds Types Explained: A Pilot’s In-Depth Guide

Air

Wind Shear: The Abrupt Shift Wind shear refers to any abrupt divergence in wind characteristics be it speed, direction, or both that unfolds over a minimal distance. Can cause sudden losses or gains in indicated airspeed (IAS), directly affecting lift. And it’s unique in Europe!

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Turbulence

Air Facts

Flying to Oklahoma from New Jersey in my G36 Bonanza, I once encountered a mountain wave where the indicated airspeed changed from 92 knots to 164 knots without a single bump. I looked at the airspeed and it was jumping +/-5-10 knots. Ah, a wind shear and a lot worse was going to mess with our landing.

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Invisible Trap Kills Glider Pilot – How To Avoid Microbursts

Chess In the Air

Moderate wind shear in some areas could make some thermals somewhat difficult to work but that, too, is typical. Without knowing the horizontal wind direction and speed at this point it is impossible to say what his indicated airspeed was. Some passing high clouds were unlikely to be a factor.

Pilot 52