Analytical prediction of agricultural aircraft wakes

An analytical technique has been developed to understand the formation, interaction, and decay of lift-generated vortices. It is possible, by use of a computer code, to give a complete description of the viscous rollup of individual vortices from a wing. That the interaction of the vortex wake with the ground is a viscous interaction is demonstrated. Comparisons are given of experimental model data and predictions of vortex location for agricultural aircraft. The future of these codes in guiding wind-tunnel and flight research and in providing operational mission guidance is discussed.