Vortex wake safety - the problem of encountering aircraft

When flying through the atmosphere an aircraft generates a stable vortex wake posing a hazard for other aircraft. A sudden path disturbance caused by the trailing turbulence is most dangerous at low altitudes due to a possible collision with the ground. Encountering an intensive wake may lead to a strctural failure. Maintaining safe-separation distances reduces airport capacity and eventually results in economic losses. To solve this problem on a rational basis, it is necessary to create an adequate aerodynamic vortex wake model and determine wake characteristics as well as create a flight-dynamic and structural-strength models for the trailing turbulence conditions, determine, aircraft response, and work out on this basis concrete measures aimed at enhancing airport capacity. All tree issues and especially means for increasing aircraft controllability are briefly considered in the present paper.