WIND TURBINES AND AVIATION: A HUMAN FACTORS CHALLENGE

METHODS: A four-member team visited an Air Force base that is located in close proximity to a wind turbine farm as well as individual wind turbines. Team members observed RAPCON operations and flew on TCAS-equipped aircraft to gauge the extent of the problem. RESULTS: The team found several human factors and potential human factors issues, to include automation and workload concerns, training issues, task saturation, error due to misperception, and procedural interference that could compromise the flight safety. DISCUSSION: Recommendations to mitigate the threat included airfield management and Federal Aviation Administration involvement during planning phases of wind turbine construction. The team advised continued mitigation strategies along with continued training of civil and military aircrews, with an emphasis on the capabilities and limitations of TCAS, along with increased training of air traffic controllers. Renewable energy is vital but care needs to be exercised in understanding the impact on aviation. Ultimately, the issue of undesired targets caused by wind turbines and their impact on aviation will need to be addressed on a National Air Space (NAS) level as well as on an international level.