When low level wind shear/microburst is reported by pilots, Integrated Terminal Weather System (ITWS), or
detected on wind shear detection systems such as LLWAS NE++, LLWAS-RS, WSP, or TDWR, controllers must issue the
alert to all arriving and departing aircraft. Continue the alert to aircraft until it is broadcast on the ATIS and
pilots indicate they have received the appropriate ATIS code. A statement must be included on the ATIS for 20
minutes following the last report or indication of the wind shear/microburst.
PHRASEOLOGY
LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR (or MICROBURST, as appropriate) ADVISORIES IN EFFECT.
NOTE: Some aircraft are equipped with Predictive Wind Shear (PWS) alert systems that warn the
flight crew of a potential wind shear up to 3 miles ahead and 25 degrees either side of the aircraft heading at
or below 1200' AGL. Pilot reports may include warnings received from PWS systems.
At facilities without ATIS, ensure that wind shear/microburst information is broadcast to all arriving and
departing aircraft for 20 minutes following the last report or indication of wind shear/microburst.
Apply the following procedures and phraseolo- gy for the depicted wind shear detection system described below.
At locations equipped with LLWAS, the local controller must provide wind information as follows:
NOTE: The LLWAS is designed to detect low level wind shear conditions around the periphery of
an airport. It does not detect wind shear beyond that limitation.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 10-3-3, Low Level Wind Shear/Microburst Detection Systems.
(a) If an alert is received, issue the airport wind and the displayed field boundary wind.
PHRASEOLOGY
WIND SHEAR ALERT. AIRPORT WIND (direction) AT (velocity). (Location of sensor) BOUNDARY WIND
(direction) AT (velocity).
(b) If multiple alerts are received, issue an advisory that there are wind shear alerts in
two/several/all quadrants. After issuing the advisory, issue the airport wind in accordance with paragraph
3-9-1, Departure Information, followed by the field boundary wind most appropriate to the aircraft
operation.
PHRASEOLOGY
WIND SHEAR ALERTS TWO/SEVERAL/ALL QUADRANTS. AIRPORT WIND (direction) AT (velocity). (Location of
sensor) BOUNDARY WIND (direction) AT (velocity).
(c) If requested by the pilot, issue specific field boundary wind information even though the LLWAS may
not be in alert status.
NOTE: The requirements for issuance of wind information remain valid as appropriate under
this paragraph, para 3-9-1, Departure Information and para 3-10-1, Landing Information.
Wind shear detection systems, including TDWR, WSP, LLWAS NE++ and LLWAS-RS provide the capability of
displaying microburst alerts, wind shear alerts, and wind information oriented to the threshold or departure
end of a runway. When detected, the associated ribbon display allows the controller to read the displayed
alert without any need for interpretation.
(a) If a wind shear or microburst alert is received for the runway in use, issue the alert information
for that runway to arriving and departing aircraft as it is displayed on the ribbon display.
(b) If requested by the pilot or deemed appropriate by the controller, issue the displayed wind
information oriented to the threshold or departure end of the runway.
PHRASEOLOGY
(Runway) DEPARTURE/THRESHOLD WIND (direction) AT (velocity).
(c) LLWAS NE++ or LLWAS-RS may detect a possible wind shear/microburst at the edge of the system but may
be unable to distinguish between a wind shear and a microburst. A wind shear alert message will be
displayed, followed by an asterisk, advising of a possible wind shear outside of the system network.
NOTE: LLWAS NE++ when associated with TDWR can detect wind shear/microbursts outside the
network if the TDWR fails.
PHRASEOLOGY
(Appropriate wind or alert information) POSSIBLE WIND SHEAR OUTSIDE THE NETWORK.
(d) If unstable conditions produce multiple alerts, issue an advisory of multiple wind shear/microburst
alerts followed by specific alert or wind information most appropriate to the aircraft operation.
PHRASEOLOGY
MULTIPLE WIND SHEAR/MICROBURST ALERTS (specific alert or wind information).
(e) The LLWAS NE++ and LLWAS-RS are designed to operate with as many as 50 percent of the total sensors
inoperative. When all three remote sensors designated for a specific runway arrival or departure wind
display line are inoperative then the LLWAS NE++ and LLWAS-RS for that runway arrival/departure must be
considered out of service. When a specific runway arrival or departure wind display line is inoperative
and wind shear/microburst activity is likely; (for example, frontal activity, convective storms, PIREPs),
the following statement must be included on the ATIS, “WIND SHEAR AND MICROBURST INFORMATION FOR RUNWAY
(runway number) ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE NOT AVAILABLE.”
NOTE: The geographic situation display (GSD) is a supervisory planning tool and is not
intended to be a primary tool for microburst or wind shear.
Wind Shear Escape Procedures.
If an aircraft under your control informs you that it is performing a wind shear escape, do not issue
control instructions that are contrary to pilot actions. ATC should continue to provide safety alerts
regarding terrain or obstacles and traffic advisories for the escape aircraft, as appropriate.
EXAMPLE
“Denver Tower, United 1154, wind shear escape.”
NOTE: Aircraft that execute a wind shear escape maneuver will usually conduct a full power
climb straight ahead and will not accept any control instructions until onboard systems advise the crew or
the pilot in command (PIC) advises ATC that the escape maneuver is no longer required.
Unless advised by additional aircraft that they are also performing an escape procedure, do not presume that
other aircraft in the proximity of the escape aircraft are responding to wind shear alerts/events as well.
Continue to provide control instructions, safety alerts, and traffic advisories, as appropriate.
Once the responding aircraft has initiated a wind shear escape maneuver, the controller is not responsible
for providing approved separation between the aircraft that is responding to an escape and any other aircraft,
airspace, terrain, or obstacle. Responsibility for approved separation resumes when one of the following
conditions is met:
(a) Departures:
(1) A crew member informs ATC that the wind shear escape maneuver is complete and ATC observes that
approved separation has been re-established, or
(2) A crew member informs ATC that the escape maneuver is complete and has resumed a previously
assigned departure clearance/routing.
(b) Arrivals:
(1) A crew member informs ATC that the escape maneuver is complete, and
(2) The aircrew has executed an alternate clearance or requested further instructions.
NOTE: When the escape procedure is complete, the flight crew must advise ATC they are
returning to their previously assigned clearance or request further instructions.
EXAMPLE
“Denver Tower, United 1154, wind shear escape complete, resuming last assigned heading/(name)
DP/clearance.”
Or
“Denver Tower, United 1154, wind shear escape complete, request further instructions.”
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