Utilizing vortex behaviour to minimize drift

Abstract

The ULV spray emitted from a TBM flying in a cross wind was mapped by a scanning lidar system. The fate of the spray cloud for 2 min after release from the aircraft was followed as the material was transported downwind of the flight line. Vertical scans at 6 s intervals with 1 m^‐3 resolution provided detailed insight into the entrainment of the spray into the wing‐tip vortices and ultimate release to drift or deposit. Relative concentration, dosage and deposit profiles are presented for this cross‐wind case. Vortex lifetimes were found to be significantly different for the up‐wind and downwind vortices. The majority of the near field deposit was associated with the up‐wind vortex while the drift was linked to the down‐wind vortex.