FAA Offers Guidance on Wind Shear for Training Devices

The FAA recently created InFO 15004 in support of recommended improvements to wind shear and microburst simulator training that evolved from the July 2011 stick pusher and adverse weather event training aviation rulemaking committee (ARC). FAR Part 60 flight simulation training device (FSTD) qualification standards require a minimum set of wind-shear models to be available to instructors during critical phases of flight, including before takeoff rotation; at liftoff; during initial climb; and on final approach, below 500 feet agl.

The ARC determined the labeling of available wind-shear models is not standardized in an FSTD and instructors may lack the necessary information to ensure that the wind-shear recognition cues in a particular training scenario will occur as desired. As a result, it recommended enhancing the FSTD instructor operating stations (IOS) to ensure wind-shear models are properly configured. Specifically, the ARC recommended that all required wind-shear models be selectable and clearly labeled on the IOS.