Windshear Knowledge

Question 1

If windshear encountered on take-off or approach, should you tell ATC?

Answer 1

Yes, if it is considered a hazard. Report height and severity.

Question 2

What is considered severe windshear?

Answer 2

Uncontrollable changes from normal steady flight conditions below 1000AGL, in excess of the following:

• 15 kts of indicated airspeed
• 500 fpm vertical speed
• 5º of pitch attitude
• 1 dot displacement on the glideslope / glidepath
• unusual thrust for prolonged period

Question 3

Severe windshear is reported / forecast. Can you take off?

Answer 3

No! DO NOT TAKEOFF.

Question 4

Windshear is reported but severity cannot be determined. Can you use reduced thrust for takeoff?

Answer 4

No, full thrust must be used.

Question 5

When can you use reduced thrust for takeoff despite windshear being reported?

Answer 5

If the windshear is caused by strong winds and there is not CBs or frontal activity.

Question 6

You get a GPWS windshear warning – 2 tone siren & “WINDSHEAR, WINDSHEAR, WINDSHEAR” with red WINDSHEAR on PFD. Can you manouvre to avoid?

Answer 6

No, a windshear escape manouvre must be flown.

Question 7

Are there any circumtstances in which a GPWS windshear warning can be ignored?

Answer 7

Yes. Exceptionally, in conditions of extreme turbulence associated with strong winds and not CB or frontal activity, the windshear warning may be treated as advisory, provided that this warning has been anticipated, briefed for in the approach brief and appropriate allowance made.

Question 8

What clues can you look for to detect the presence of windshear? (clue: there are 4)

Answer 8

Thunderstorm activity
Virga
Pilot reports
Low level windshear reporting (LLWAS) warnings

Question 9

What should you do if the presence of winshear is confirmed and there are thunderstorms nearby?

Answer 9

On the ground : delay take off

In the air : do not continue the approach

Question 10

Windshear (not severe) is reported on takeoff, can you use reduced thrust?

Answer 10

No. Full thrust must be used.

Question 11

Severe windshear reported before departure, can you take off?

Answer 11

No, do not take off if severe windshear rerported.

Question 12

What flap setting is recommended for take off in windshear conditions?

Answer 12

F20 unless limited by obstacle clearance and/or climb gradient.
F15 may be used and will provide nearly the same performance as F20.

Question 13

What flap setting is recommended for landing with windshear reported?

Answer 13

F25 or F30.

Question 14

What is the only PWS caution?

Answer 14

Monitor radar display

Question 15

“MONITOR RADAR DISPLAY” aural heard. What do you do?

Answer 15

Manoeuvre to avoid. WEM is an option but will require flying straight ahead which may take you into the shear. Heading select is a good mode choice.

Question 16

PWS “WINDSHEAR AHEAD, WINDSHEAR AHEAD” aural warnring on take off prior to V1. What should you do?

Answer 16

RTO

Question 17

PWS “WINDSHEAR AHEAD, WINDSHEAR AHEAD” aural warnring on take off after V1. What should you do?

Answer 17

Unlikely as inhibited above 100kts but perform WEM if during take off roll. If airbourne, manoeuvre to avoid.

Question 18

PWS “GO-AROUND, WINDSHEAR AHEAD” on approach, what do you do?

Answer 18

WEM is an option, but you are not in it yet so go-around then manoeuvre to avoid with heading select is a better option.

Question 19

Windshear encountered in flight. You are manually flying.

What do you do?

Answer 19

WEM : 
1. Call "Windshear, go-around"
2. Disengage the AP
3. Push TOGA
4. Aggressively apply full thrust
5. Disconnect AT
6. Simultaneously roll wings level & pitch to 15º 
7. Retract speedbrake
8. Follow the FD TOGA guidance (if available)
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Do not change gear or config
Monitor vertical speed and altitude
Do not attempt to regain lost airspeed until out of it

Question 20

Windshear encountered in flight. The autopilot is in.

What do you do?

Answer 20

WEM :
1. Call "WINDSHEAR, GO-AROUND"
2. Push TOGA
3. Verify TOGA annunciated on PFD
4. Verify GA thrust 
5. Retract speedbrake
6. Monitor system performance
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Do not change gear or config
Monitor vertical speed and altitude
Do not attempt to regain lost airspeed until out of it