FAA Part 107 Drone Practice Test

Which type of wind shear is considered the most severe at low levels?

1. Microburst

2. Wake turbulence

3. Thermal shear

4. Linear shear

The correct answer is: Microburst

Microbursts are considered the most severe type of wind shear at low levels due to their intense and localized nature. A microburst is a powerful column of descending air that can occur during a thunderstorm and is characterized by rapid and dramatic changes in wind direction and speed in a very short distance. This phenomenon can create hazardous conditions for aircraft during takeoff and landing, as it can lead to sudden loss of lift or changes in the aircraft's flight path. Microbursts typically have a diameter of less than 4 kilometers and can produce downdrafts exceeding 6,000 feet per minute, which is extremely dangerous as it can lead to a rapid increase in the risk of an aircraft stall. The severity is further compounded by the fact that microbursts can occur suddenly and without warning, making them particularly challenging for pilots to anticipate and respond to. Other types of wind shear, such as wake turbulence and thermal shear, are present in aviation but do not pose the same level of acute hazard in low-level flight operations as microbursts. Wake turbulence refers to the disturbance in the air caused by the passage of an aircraft and can certainly be dangerous, especially for smaller aircraft following larger ones, but it operates on a different mechanism and is more predictable compared