Analysis of Wind Shear Variability and Its Effects on the Flights Activities at the Garoua Airport

Abstract

In this study, the wind shear vector variability likely to mitigate the flights activities at the Cameroon Airport and in particular Garoua has been analyzed. This research is based on a statistical method R of pilot probe and observation synoptic station data, April–July 2021 period. The results show that Garoua Airport has recorded more than 55 percent of the intensities of the wind shear vector greater than 10 kt/100 ft with dominant directions in the North-South sector. The intensities of the headwind/tailwind shear vector are at 60 percent moderate; the probability density distribution shows 40 percent strong to very strong shear with moderate to strong probability. This fact may represent a problem for lighter aircrafts, whose crosswind rates are lower. In this context, the forecast of high wind speed values and directions becomes very important. The schedule distribution of the various wind during this period displays that the most sheared month is the month of May, the sounding that presents the strongest to very strong shears is that of 5 p.m. and the most sheared slice is the ground surface layer where the frictional force has a very large impact on the wind. In addition, the convective system’s formation and the geographical discontinuities effects contributed to the recording of shear types during the period not only at ground level but also at the superior levels.