What should you do if you encounter wind shear during approach?

When encountering wind shear during approach, applying thrust and maintaining your control altitude is critical for safety. Wind shear often results in rapid changes in airspeed and altitude, which can make controlling the aircraft more challenging. By applying thrust, the pilot can increase lift and counter the effects of the wind shear, helping to stabilize the aircraft.

Maintaining control altitude is also vital to ensure that the aircraft does not inadvertently descend too quickly or gain altitude uncontrollably due to sudden vertical winds. This approach allows the pilot to react appropriately to the changing conditions, helping to prevent loss of control.

Other options, while they may seem reasonable in different scenarios, do not adequately address the immediate need to regain control during such a critical phase of flight. Aborting the landing can be appropriate in some situations, but it’s essential to manage the current conditions effectively before making that decision. Changing the aircraft’s heading or reducing speed may not provide the necessary control and stability required to navigate wind shear safely.