Validation of a crosswind change criterion for building induced airflow disturbances using a flight simulator: case studies at the Hong Kong International Airport

At airports with significant economic growth, more and more buildings are being constructed inside and around the airport premises. These buildings may become a source of low level wind disturbances to the aircraft operating at the airport. In assessing such low level wind effects of buildings, objects and structures, a 7 kn crosswind change criterion can be used. This criterion restricts the wind variations along the glide path and above the runway to a crosswind change of less than 7 kn. It was developed in and based on the experience in the Netherlands over the past 20 years. Therefore, the question arises whether this criterion is applicable to airports and buildings elsewhere in the world, and whether it is consistent with other hazardous wind metrics available in the literature. Based on two cases of pilot reported building induced wind disturbances at Hong Kong International Airport, computer simulated wind fields and a flight simulator were employed to study the validity of the 7 kn criterion. It was found that the criterion is in general consistent with the other hazardous wind metrics available in the literature for the cases under consideration. The number of cases considered in the present study is still limited and further studies into the matter should be considered.