Chapter 11: Wake Turbulence

Question 1

What are wake turbulence categories (ICAO) ?

Answer 1

SUPER: A380-800
HEAVY (H): >=300,000 lbs
MEDIUM (M): 300,000 lbs >weight >15,500 lbs aka F-15
LIGHT (L): 15,500 lbs>=

Question 2

What are wake turbulence categories (NAS)?

Answer 2

SUPER: A380-800
HEAVY: 300,000 lbs or greater
LARGE: More than 41,000 lbs up to 300,000 lbs aka F-15
Small: 41,000 lbs or less

Question 3

What is min ICAO time wake turbulence minima?

Answer 3

MEDIUM taking off after HEAVY when on same runway or close parallels or crossing rwys: 2 minutes

Question 4

What are time intervals for takeoff for NAS? Distances?

Answer 4

• 4 minute for T/O behind SUPER, 3 minute for T/O behind HEAVY on same rwy or parallel rwys
• 3 minute for T/O behind SUPER, 2 minute for T/O behind HEAVY if intersecting runways or projected flight paths cross
  Large behind heavy: 5 mi
  -Large behind super: 7 mi

Question 5

When are wake turbulence separation services not required?

Answer 5

1) VFR flights
2) IFR flights executing visual approaches when aircraft has reported preceding in sight and instructed to follow and maintain own separation