# Wind Shear & Microburst

> Hazards of wind shear and microbursts, recognition and recovery.

- **Subject:** 070 — Operational Procedures
- **Section:** 071-02 — Special Operational Procedures and Hazards (General Aspects)
- **Topic code:** 071-02-07
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-04-01
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/operational-procedures/special-operational-procedures-and-hazards-general-aspects/wind-shear-and-microburst/

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## Wind Shear
A sudden change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance. Can be vertical or horizontal.
*   **Effect**: Sudden gain or loss of airspeed and lift.
*   **Sources**: Thunderstorms, Frontal systems, Jet stream, Topography.

## Microburst

![Microburst cross section](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Microburst_crosssection_%28vectored%29.svg)

A small scale intense downdraft that descends to the ground and spreads out (outflow).
*   **Size**: From 1 to 4 km diameter.
*   **Duration**: Short lived (5-15 mins).
*   **Vertical Speed**: Up to 6,000 fpm downdraft.
*   **Encounter**: Headwind increase (Performance gain) -> Downdraft (Sinking) -> Tailwind increase (Performance loss/Crash).

## Recovery Procedure
If Windshear Warning is triggered or encountered:
1.  **Thrust**: TO/GA (Take-off/Go-around) - Maximum Thrust.
2.  **Pitch**: Rotate towards 15° or stick shaker activation. Follow Flight Director if Guidance provided.
3.  **Configuration**: DO NOT CHANGE gear or flap configuration (drag/lift changes can be fatal during recovery).
4.  **Level off**: Only after clear of shear and positive climb established.

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Free study notes from pilotsyllabus.com. Not a substitute for training at an approved ATO.