If the flight director bars are not displayed during windshear, toward what initial pitch attitude should the aircraft be moved?

If the flight director bars are not displayed during windshear, toward what initial pitch attitude should the aircraft be moved?

• A. 12.5 degrees
• B. 15.0 degrees
• C. 16.0 degrees
• D. 17.5 degrees

Answer: (D)

In windshear, the goal is to escape the dangerous airspeed loss quickly even when you don’t have flight director cues. If the flight director bars aren’t displayed, you manually set a substantial nose-up attitude to help regain lift and speed. The recommended initial pitch in this scenario is 17.5 degrees nose up. This amount provides a decisive positive attitude that promotes airspeed recovery and a climb out of the windshear region without hanging at a too-low angle that could stall. Too shallow a pitch (like 12.5, 15.0, or 16.0 degrees) may not produce enough change in angle of attack to overcome the windshear effects promptly, whereas 17.5 degrees gives the appropriate starting escape posture. After establishing this attitude, monitor airspeed and adjust to maintain a positive rate of climb and increasing speed as you exit the windshear.

In windshear, the goal is to escape the dangerous airspeed loss quickly even when you don’t have flight director cues. If the flight director bars aren’t displayed, you manually set a substantial nose-up attitude to help regain lift and speed. The recommended initial pitch in this scenario is 17.5 degrees nose up. This amount provides a decisive positive attitude that promotes airspeed recovery and a climb out of the windshear region without hanging at a too-low angle that could stall. Too shallow a pitch (like 12.5, 15.0, or 16.0 degrees) may not produce enough change in angle of attack to overcome the windshear effects promptly, whereas 17.5 degrees gives the appropriate starting escape posture. After establishing this attitude, monitor airspeed and adjust to maintain a positive rate of climb and increasing speed as you exit the windshear.