Wake Turbulence Flashcards
If looking at a plane from behind, which way do the wing vortices go on each wing?
Clockwise on the left, counter-clockwise on the right
How much do wing tip vortices spread behind a plane?
1 - 2 wingspans outward and downward at 400 to 500 ft per minute and will settle at around 1000ft
When do AC create wing tip vortices? When is it more pronounced?
Vortices are created whenever an AC is generating lift.
They are most pronounced with an AC that is heavy, clean (gear and flaps up), and slow.
Another factor is air density. Cold air creates more violent vortices
Near the ground, when the vortices sink and hit the ground, what happens?
They travel outward away from each other at a speed of about 2 to 5 kts (5 kts is most commonly quoted in the AIM) (this is in a zero wind conditions)
When does wake turbulence begin?
At rotation
Up to how many miles may vortices trail behind an AC?
16
What are the radar departure separation distances?
What is the non-radar departure separation for AC?
2 minutes for any AC taking off behind a known heavy if:
- The AC concerned comences the takeoff from the threshold of the same runwau
- Any following AC departs from the threshold of a parallel runway that is located less than 2500 ft away
When will ATC provide 3 min separation on non-radar departures?
When the projected flight path of any following AC will cross that of a preceeding heavy AC
How long can wake turbelence last?
Most commonly quoted is up to 5 min but can last up to 8 min
In what circumstances may a pilot not request a waiver to take off when takeoff clearance was denied due to wake upbulence?
- When a light or medium AC is taking off behind a heave AC and the takeoff is started from an intersection or a point significantly farther along the runway
- A light or medium AC is departing after a heavy AC takes off or makes a low/missed approach in the opposit direction on the same runway.
What are the weight ranges of Light, Medium, Heavy, and SuperHeavy aircraft?
Light - 15 500lbs or less
Medium - 15 500 to 300 000lbs
Heavy - Over 300 000lbs
SuperHeavy - Max T/O weight of 560 000kg (only the A380 fits in this category)
How big are wing vortices typically?
About 2 wingspands in width and 1 in depth
How many minutes does it take for vortices to settle around 1000ft below the AC’s flight path?
about 2 minutes (they sink at around 400-500 ft/min)
What are the minimum distances to stay behind Jet blast?
