Wind Shear & Microburst

071-02-07Pablo Asensio Martínez2026-04-011 min

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

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.
Written and reviewed by

Pablo Asensio · 2026-04-01

Aeronautical engineer. Passed the thirteen EASA ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge exams studying from these very notes. Writes and reviews each topic against the Part-FCL Learning Objectives.

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