Proposal Type
Poster
Abstract
Crosswind and gust conditions during approach and landing constitute significant challenges in flight training, with direct implications for performance and safety. Most flight schools establish crosswind training limits based on aircraft certification data and instructor judgment, resulting in go/no-go decisions relying on subjective risk assessment. This study empirically examines how varying crosswind and gust conditions affect operational decisions and landing performance. The research investigates the relationship between crosswind components and student pilot performance during the flight's final approach and landing phase, utilizing Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) trajectory data integrated with surface weather observations.
This analysis focuses on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University training operations at Daytona Beach International Airport, using ADS-B datasets from the OpenSky Network synchronized with publicly available surface meteorological data. Key performance indicators such as lateral runway alignment, touchdown dispersion, approach path deviation, and groundspeed are evaluated concerning wind direction, crosswind component, gust factor, and short-term wind variability. Exploratory and data-driven analytical methods identify quantitative crosswinds and gust thresholds associated with reduced approach stability and landing performance.
The primary objective of this research is to develop a data-informed framework for understanding and characterizing performance-based crosswind limits in flight training. Instead of prescribing new operational minima, the study provides instructors, students, and training managers with empirically derived reference values to support objective, consistent, and safety-oriented decision-making. Anticipated contributions include (1) advancing the integration of flight and weather data to quantify wind-related performance boundaries and (2) promoting greater standardization and situational awareness in flight training under challenging crosswind conditions.
Data-Driven Framework for Assessing Wind Impacts on Approach Stability in Flight Training
Crosswind and gust conditions during approach and landing constitute significant challenges in flight training, with direct implications for performance and safety. Most flight schools establish crosswind training limits based on aircraft certification data and instructor judgment, resulting in go/no-go decisions relying on subjective risk assessment. This study empirically examines how varying crosswind and gust conditions affect operational decisions and landing performance. The research investigates the relationship between crosswind components and student pilot performance during the flight's final approach and landing phase, utilizing Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) trajectory data integrated with surface weather observations.
This analysis focuses on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University training operations at Daytona Beach International Airport, using ADS-B datasets from the OpenSky Network synchronized with publicly available surface meteorological data. Key performance indicators such as lateral runway alignment, touchdown dispersion, approach path deviation, and groundspeed are evaluated concerning wind direction, crosswind component, gust factor, and short-term wind variability. Exploratory and data-driven analytical methods identify quantitative crosswinds and gust thresholds associated with reduced approach stability and landing performance.
The primary objective of this research is to develop a data-informed framework for understanding and characterizing performance-based crosswind limits in flight training. Instead of prescribing new operational minima, the study provides instructors, students, and training managers with empirically derived reference values to support objective, consistent, and safety-oriented decision-making. Anticipated contributions include (1) advancing the integration of flight and weather data to quantify wind-related performance boundaries and (2) promoting greater standardization and situational awareness in flight training under challenging crosswind conditions.
