Background

Facing the lack of practice-ready and comprehensive standards or guidance on jet blast hazard, the Infrastructure Workgroup of The French-Speaking Airports (UAF&FA) has been conducting a research project on definitions and concepts, establishing a methodology, and evaluating the feasibility of a predictive model.

The main findings of this project are summarized in the research paper and poster available on this page (see links on the bottom). There were presented during the TRB 97th Annual Meeting in January 2018 in Washington, D.C. A more comprehensive guidebook will be published later in 2018.

Understanding Jet Blast

Evaluating exposure requires a thorough understanding of jet blast generation and of the factors influencing pilot’s decisions and thrust settings. Assessing jet blast hazard on aviation operations and infrastructure calls for defining acceptable blast velocities. The project included identifying these requirements, clarifying definitions and concepts, and enhancing discussions available in ICAO’s Aerodrome Design Manual and FAA’s AC 150/5300-13A Appendix 3.

Step-by-Step Methodology

Collaboration between the stakeholders of airport operations, discussions with aircraft manufacturers and CAD solution providers, as well as an extensive review of industry practices, led to the definition of a comprehensive, step-by-step methodology – summarized on the poster available here below. A guidebook will be published on this website.

Modelling Jet Blast Exposure

CAD solutions do not consider local parameters. Measuring jet blast in the field is not always possible. Based on 300 observations at Paris-CDG, we demonstrated that it is feasible to build a predictive model.

Conclusion

The research project clarified critical definitions used in jet blast hazard assessment. A comprehensive methodology was established. It will be detailed in a future publication.A synthesis is available in the poster accessible through the link here below. It was determined that it is feasible to build a predictive model mapping jet blast exposure throughout the field. The development of a robust model available to airports requires additional efforts.

Next Steps

• Prepare a guidebook on assessing jet blast hazard ► ongoing project.

• Educate the aviation community on jet blast ► several presentations and webinars were given in 2018 and 2019.

• Share findings and recommendations with rulemakers ► technical summary in preparation.

• Improve predictive model and explore new variables ► a research idea was submitted to the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and selected as ACRP Project 10-29.

Downloads

• Material presented at the ACC/AAAE 2019 Airport Planning, Design and Construction Symposium in Denver, CO

• Poster presented at the TRB 2018 Annual Meetin in Washington, D.C.

• Research paper of 15 November 2017