LAWRENCE — A study by the Kansas University school of engineering indicates that commercial wind farms could pose a hazard to nearby rural airports. The turbines pose two threats to small aircraft, KU professor Tom Mulinazzi said. The turbines can set up a circular vortex up to three miles long that can cause a small plane to roll, he said. He also said the turbines can cause higher than expected crosswind speeds which can pose a danger to small aircraft trying to take off and land. It appears this study is the first of its kind in the United States. The Kansas Department of Transportation has been getting complaints from pilots about unexpected turbulence as they approach airports near wind farms, which prompted the study, he said. Kansas has about 140 public-use airports and many more private-use airports. There are 16 wind farms operating in Kansas today, but there are proposals for an additional 58, with some planned in close proximity to existing airports.
Monday, Jan. 20, 3:30 p.m.
