Overview
Windshear is a change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance. Since the inception of aviation, windshear encounters have caused many numerous accidents that resulted in countless injuries and fatalities. As such, it is vitally important that pilots are able to recognize windshear and apply appropriate methods of avoidance and escape as necessary. Windshear can occur as a result of thunderstorms, frontal activity, temperature inversions, or surface obstructions.