The European "Thematic Network Wake Vortex" (WakeNet) will have its 4^th Workshop on the topic of ‘Vortex Encounter’. It is the aim of these workshops to bring together in an informal way those interested and actively working on the wake vortex problem. The effects of the wake vortex on a following aircraft will be the subject of this workshop. Research in this area has been done in the past and is still actively pursued in some European programs like WAVENC and S-WAKE. The results will also be of use for the next workshop that is planned for spring 2001 on Wake Vortices and Integration in the Airport Environment.

WakeNet was established within the 4^th Framework Programme of the European Commission. Its aim is to provide expert information exchange in the field of Wake Vortex, but covers also wake detecting instrumentation and operational aspects of flight safety. WakeNet tries to operate in a broad sense from research up to operational aspects and including pilot’s participation. WakeNet is considered a unique network for all aspects of the wake vortex issue. Next to the organisation of workshops, WakeNet members are actively involved in putting together a "Position Paper", a ‘life’ document that will harmonise views and guide future research.

The first workshop was held at ONERA (Chatillon, France) on 1-2 December 1998 on "European wake vortex research activities". The second workshop, held at DLR (Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany) on 16-17 November 1999 focused on means to predict "Far-field vortex location and decay. The 3^rd workshop was held at DERA (Malvern, UK) in May 22-23 this year on "Measurement Techniques for Vortex Wakes".

The National Aerospace Laboratory NLR will host this workshop in Amsterdam. NLR is located close to Schiphol Airport (about 15 minutes by taxi) and can hence easily be reached. The workshop will start on Monday October 16 at 10.00 hrs and will close the next day at 16.00 hrs.

A preliminary program of the Workshop is attached to this announcement. At the end of the workshop the ‘Position Paper’ will be discussed. Its contents can be viewed at the WakeNet Internet site in the near future. An external expert will give an evaluation before the final discussion. Each of the authors will bring copies of their presentation to the meeting. These ‘hand-outs’, together with remarks from a technical evaluator and a summary of the discussions and conclusions will be used as the basis of the Proceedings that will have a limited distribution.

At the end of the first day a dinner will be organised in a nearby location. A block reservation has been made in hotel on walking distance from NLR. Note that you have to make your own hotel reservation asap but before 1^st of October. See attached information.

The WakeNet workshop will be open for anyone who is interested in the Wake Vortex issue like researchers, those involved in Aitr Trafic Control or Airport authorities. Pilots for whom the problem is of direct concern and who can contribute with specific experiences, are particularly welcomed. Participation from countries outside Europe is also welcomed.

Information on WakeNet and this workshop can also be found on the WakeNet Internet Site: http://aton.cerfacs.fr/~wakenet