How would wind shear affect climb?

• A. All of the above
• B. Sudden increase or decrease of airspeed
• C. Cause turbulence due to violent air movement
• D. Increase or decrease climb rate

Answer: (A)

Wind shear is a rapid change in wind speed or direction with height (or along the flight path). When you’re climbing, hitting wind shear can cause a sudden change in the headwind or tailwind component, which shows up as an abrupt change in indicated or true airspeed. That same gusty or turbulent motion can create turbulence or violent air movement around the aircraft. At the same time, those abrupt changes in airspeed and the resulting changes in lift and thrust requirements can cause the climb rate to jump up or down momentarily. Because wind shear can produce all three effects—airpeed variation, turbulence, and altered climb performance—the best answer is that all of the above can occur. In practice, anticipate these effects and manage pitch and power to maintain safe airspeed and a stable climb.