Comparative Analysis of the Measured and Extrapolated Wind Shear Distributions at Murtala Mohammed and Port Harcourt International Airports, Nigeria

Abstract

The persistent gory incidents, accidents, loss of huge amount of money and outcry by the aviation industry for accurate weather observation and forecast have been of utmost worry to so many researchers. In a bid to curbing these aviation weather challenges, researchers have discovered that wind shear impacts greatly on flight operations in the airports, and are working towards ameliorating the effects. This study analyzed the distribution of measured and extrapolated wind shear at Murtala Mohammed and Port Harcourt International Airports, Nigeria. The annual time series secondary data used for this study were sourced from Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at Murtala Mohammed and Port Harcourt International Airports and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). Power Law Model was used to extrapolate wind shear at 20m above ground level to 50m and 100m above ground level for the both airports. The data were compiled and presented in tables and charts for easy understanding and further analysis. The statistical techniques employed in achieving the research target were descriptive statistics (such as mean, standard deviations, coefficient of variation and charts). The study shows that wind shear increases with altitude at the study areas due to decrease in frictional resistance which is more pronounced close to the ground. A similarity in the distribution pattern of wind shear at 20m, 50m and 100m above ground level at Murtala Mohammed International Airport was revealed by the study. The same similarity in the distribution pattern was also revealed at Port Harcourt International Airport. Evidently, the study reveals some temporal variations in the mean and standard deviation of wind shear in the study areas. The study also reveals based on the effects of wind shear and its resultant flight delays, diversions and cancellations that Port Harcourt International Airport with overall higher coefficient of variation (CV) is considered safer for flight landing. The study therefore, based on its findings, recommends subsequent training and retraining of Meteorologists, Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers on wind shear and related weather issues. The work also recommends that more studies should be carried out by the students and researchers on wind shear.

Keywords: Wind Shear, Comparative Analysis, Measured, Extrapolated, Distributions

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/11-5-06

Publication date:May 31^st 2021