Jet blast

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Jet blast is the phenomenon of rapid air movement produced by the jet engines of aircraft, particularly on or before takeoff.

A large jet-engined aircraft can produce winds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h) up to 200 feet (60 m) behind it at 40% maximum rated power. Jet blast can be a hazard to people or other unsecured objects behind the aircraft, and is capable of flattening buildings and destroying vehicles.

Despite the power and potentially destructive nature of jet blast, there are relatively few jet blast incidents. Due to the invisible nature of jet blast and the aerodynamic properties of light aircraft, light aircraft moving about airports are particularly vulnerable.

Propeller planes are also capable of generating significant rearwards winds.

[edit] In popular culture

The movie Casino Royale contains a chasing scene in which a police car gets onto a runway when a Boeing 747 is about to touch down. Seeing the car on the runway, the pilot decides to execute a go-around and increases the throttle to 100% N1. The jet blast from the exhaust of the engines blows the car off the ground.

In the movie Pushing Tin, air traffic controllers want to experience wake turbulence firsthand. They stand at the runway threshold while a Boeing 747 lands, although they are more likely to be exposed to the jet blast.

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