Section 3. Wake
Turbulence
7-3-1. General
a. Every aircraft generates a wake while in flight. Initially, when
pilots encountered this wake in flight, the disturbance was attributed to "prop
wash." It is known, however, that this disturbance is caused by a pair of counter
rotating vortices trailing from the wing tips. The vortices from larger aircraft pose
problems to encountering aircraft. For instance, the wake of these aircraft can impose
rolling moments exceeding the roll-control authority of the encountering aircraft.
Further, turbulence generated within the vortices can damage aircraft components and
equipment if encountered at close range. The pilot must learn to envision the location of
the vortex wake generated by larger (transport category) aircraft and adjust the flight
path accordingly.
b. During ground operations and during takeoff, jet engine blast
(thrust stream turbulence) can cause damage and upsets if encountered at close range.
Exhaust velocity versus distance studies at various thrust levels have shown a need for
light aircraft to maintain an adequate separation behind large turbojet aircraft. Pilots
of larger aircraft should be particularly careful to consider the effects of their
"jet blast" on other aircraft, vehicles, and maintenance equipment during ground
operations.
7-3-2. Vortex Generation
FIG 7-3-1
Wake Vortex Generation
Lift is generated by the creation of a pressure differential over the wing
surface. The lowest pressure occurs over the upper wing surface and the highest pressure
under the wing. This pressure differential triggers the roll up of the airflow aft of the
wing resulting in swirling air masses trailing downstream of the wing tips. After the roll
up is completed, the wake consists of two counter rotating cylindrical vortices. (See FIG
7-3-1.) Most of the energy is within a few feet of the center of each vortex, but pilots
should avoid a region within about 100 feet of the vortex core.
7-3-3. Vortex Strength
a. The strength of the vortex is governed by the weight, speed, and
shape of the wing of the generating aircraft. The vortex characteristics of any given
aircraft can also be changed by extension of flaps or other wing configuring devices as
well as by change in speed. However, as the basic factor is weight, the vortex strength
increases proportionately. Peak vortex tangential speeds exceeding 300 feet per second
have been recorded. The greatest vortex strength occurs when the generating aircraft is
HEAVY, CLEAN, and SLOW.
b. INDUCED ROLL
FIG 7-3-2
Wake Encounter Counter Control
1. In rare instances a wake encounter could cause inflight
structural damage of catastrophic proportions. However, the usual hazard is associated
with induced rolling moments which can exceed the roll-control authority of the
encountering aircraft. In flight experiments, aircraft have been intentionally flown
directly up trailing vortex cores of larger aircraft. It was shown that the capability of
an aircraft to counteract the roll imposed by the wake vortex primarily depends on the
wingspan and counter-control responsiveness of the encountering aircraft.
FIG 7-3-3
Wake Ends/Wake Begins
FIG 7-3-4
Vortex Flow Field
2. Counter control is usually effective and induced roll minimal in
cases where the wingspan and ailerons of the encountering aircraft extend beyond the
rotational flow field of the vortex. It is more difficult for aircraft with short wingspan
(relative to the generating aircraft) to counter the imposed roll induced by vortex flow.
Pilots of short span aircraft, even of the high performance type, must be especially alert
to vortex encounters. (See FIG 7-3-2.)
3. The wake of larger aircraft requires the respect of all pilots.
7-3-4. Vortex Behavior
a. Trailing vortices have certain behavioral characteristics which
can help a pilot visualize the wake location and thereby take avoidance precautions.
1. Vortices are generated from the moment aircraft leave the
ground, since trailing vortices are a by-product of wing lift. Prior to takeoff or
touchdown pilots should note the rotation or touchdown point of the preceding aircraft.
(See FIG 7-3-3.)
2. The vortex circulation is outward, upward and around the wing
tips when viewed from either ahead or behind the aircraft. Tests with large aircraft have
shown that the vortices remain spaced a bit less than a wingspan apart, drifting with the
wind, at altitudes greater than a wingspan from the ground. In view of this, if persistent
vortex turbulence is encountered, a slight change of altitude and lateral position
(preferably upwind) will provide a flight path clear of the turbulence.
3. Flight tests have shown that the vortices from larger (transport
category) aircraft sink at a rate of several hundred feet per minute, slowing their
descent and diminishing in strength with time and distance behind the generating aircraft.
Atmospheric turbulence hastens breakup. Pilots should fly at or above the preceding
aircraft's flight path, altering course as necessary to avoid the area behind and below
the generating aircraft. (See FIG 7-3-4.) However vertical
separation of 1,000 feet may be considered safe.
FIG 7-3-5
Vortex Movement Near Ground - No Wind
FIG 7-3-6
Vortex Movement Near Ground - with Cross Winds
4. When the vortices of larger aircraft sink close to the ground
(within 100 to 200 feet), they tend to move laterally over the ground at a speed of 2 or 3
knots. (See FIG 7-3-5.)
5. There is a small segment of the aviation community that have
become convinced that wake vortices may "bounce" up to twice their nominal
steady state height. With a 200-foot span aircraft, the "bounce" height could
reach approximately 200 feet AGL. This conviction is based on a single unsubstantiated
report of an apparent coherent vortical flow that was seen in the volume scan of a
research sensor. No one can say what conditions cause vortex bouncing, how high they
bounce, at what angle they bounce, or how many times a vortex may bounce. On the other
hand, no one can say for certain that vortices never "bounce." Test data have
shown that vortices can rise with the air mass in which they are embedded. Wind shear,
particularly, can cause vortex flow field "tilting." Also, ambient thermal
lifting and orographic effects (rising terrain or tree lines) can cause a vortex flow
field to rise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pilots are reminded that they should be
alert at all times for possible wake vortex encounters when conducting approach and
landing operations. The pilot has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring appropriate
separations and positioning of the aircraft in the terminal area to avoid the wake
turbulence created by a preceding aircraft.
b. A crosswind will decrease the lateral movement of the upwind
vortex and increase the movement of the downwind vortex. Thus a light wind with a cross
runway component of 1 to 5 knots could result in the upwind vortex remaining in the
touchdown zone for a period of time and hasten the drift of the downwind vortex toward
another runway. (See FIG 7-3-6.) Similarly, a tailwind condition can move the vortices of
the preceding aircraft forward into the touchdown zone. THE LIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND
REQUIRES MAXIMUM CAUTION. Pilots should be alert to large aircraft upwind from their
approach and takeoff flight paths. (See FIG 7-3-7.)
FIG 7-3-7
Vortex Movement in Ground Effect
Tailwind
7-3-5. Operations Problem Areas
a. A wake encounter can be catastrophic. In 1972 at Fort Worth a
DC-9 got too close to a DC-10 (two miles back), rolled, caught a wingtip, and cartwheeled
coming to rest in an inverted position on the runway. All aboard were killed. Serious and
even fatal GA accidents induced by wake vortices are not uncommon. However, a wake
encounter is not necessarily hazardous. It can be one or more jolts with varying severity
depending upon the direction of the encounter, weight of the generating aircraft, size of
the encountering aircraft, distance from the generating aircraft, and point of vortex
encounter. The probability of induced roll increases when the encountering aircraft's
heading is generally aligned with the flight path of the generating aircraft.
b. AVOID THE AREA BELOW AND BEHIND THE GENERATING AIRCRAFT,
ESPECIALLY AT LOW ALTITUDE WHERE EVEN A MOMENTARY WAKE ENCOUNTER COULD BE HAZARDOUS. This
is not easy to do. Some accidents have occurred even though the pilot of the trailing
aircraft had carefully noted that the aircraft in front was at a considerably lower
altitude. Unfortunately, this does not ensure that the flight path of the lead aircraft
will be below that of the trailing aircraft.
c. Pilots should be particularly alert in calm wind conditions and
situations where the vortices could:
1. Remain in the touchdown area.
2. Drift from aircraft operating on a nearby runway.
3. Sink into the takeoff or landing path from a crossing runway.
4. Sink into the traffic pattern from other airport operations.
5. Sink into the flight path of VFR aircraft operating on the
hemispheric altitude 500 feet below.
d. Pilots of all aircraft should visualize the location of the
vortex trail behind larger aircraft and use proper vortex avoidance procedures to achieve
safe operation. It is equally important that pilots of larger aircraft plan or adjust
their flight paths to minimize vortex exposure to other aircraft.
7-3-6. Vortex Avoidance Procedures
a. Under certain conditions, airport traffic controllers apply
procedures for separating IFR aircraft. If a pilot accepts a clearance to visually follow
a preceding aircraft, the pilot accepts responsibility for separation and wake turbulence
avoidance. The controllers will also provide to VFR aircraft, with whom they are in
communication and which in the tower's opinion may be adversely affected by wake
turbulence from a larger aircraft, the position, altitude and direction of flight of
larger aircraft followed by the phrase "CAUTION - WAKE TURBULENCE.'' After issuing
the caution for wake turbulence, the airport traffic controllers generally do not provide
additional information to the following aircraft unless the airport traffic controllers
know the following aircraft is overtaking the preceding aircraft. WHETHER OR NOT A WARNING
OR INFORMATION HAS BEEN GIVEN, HOWEVER, THE PILOT IS EXPECTED TO ADJUST AIRCRAFT
OPERATIONS AND FLIGHT PATH AS NECESSARY TO PRECLUDE SERIOUS WAKE ENCOUNTERS. When any
doubt exists about maintaining safe separation distances between aircraft during
approaches, pilots should ask the control tower for updates on separation distance and
aircraft groundspeed.
b. The following vortex avoidance procedures are recommended for
the various situations:
1. Landing behind a larger aircraft- same runway. Stay at or above
the larger aircraft's final approach flight path-note its touchdown point-land beyond it.
2. Landing behind a larger aircraft- when parallel runway is closer
than 2,500 feet. Consider possible drift to your runway. Stay at or above the larger
aircraft's final approach flight path- note its touchdown point.
3. Landing behind a larger aircraft- crossing runway. Cross above
the larger aircraft's flight path.
4. Landing behind a departing larger aircraft- same runway. Note
the larger aircraft's rotation point- land well prior to rotation point.
5. Landing behind a departing larger aircraft- crossing runway. Note
the larger aircraft's rotation point- if past the intersection- continue the approach-
land prior to the intersection. If larger aircraft rotates prior to the intersection,
avoid flight below the larger aircraft's flight path. Abandon the approach unless a
landing is ensured well before reaching the intersection.
6. Departing behind a larger aircraft. Note the larger aircraft's
rotation point and rotate prior to the larger aircraft's rotation point. Continue climbing
above the larger aircraft's climb path until turning clear of the larger aircraft's wake.
Avoid subsequent headings which will cross below and behind a larger aircraft. Be alert
for any critical takeoff situation which could lead to a vortex encounter.
7. Intersection takeoffs- same runway. Be alert to adjacent larger
aircraft operations, particularly upwind of your runway. If intersection takeoff clearance
is received, avoid subsequent heading which will cross below a larger aircraft's path.
8. Departing or landing after a larger aircraft executing a low
approach, missed approach or touch-and-go landing. Because vortices settle and move
laterally near the ground, the vortex hazard may exist along the runway and in your flight
path after a larger aircraft has executed a low approach, missed approach or a
touch-and-go landing, particular in light quartering wind conditions. You should ensure
that an interval of at least 2 minutes has elapsed before your takeoff or landing.
9. En route VFR (thousand-foot altitude plus 500 feet). Avoid
flight below and behind a large aircraft's path. If a larger aircraft is observed above on
the same track (meeting or overtaking) adjust your position laterally, preferably upwind.
7-3-7. Helicopters
In a slow hover taxi or stationary hover near the surface, helicopter main
rotor(s) generate downwash producing high velocity outwash vortices to a distance
approximately three times the diameter of the rotor. When rotor downwash hits the surface,
the resulting outwash vortices have behavioral characteristics similar to wing tip
vortices produced by fixed wing aircraft. However, the vortex circulation is outward,
upward, around, and away from the main rotor(s) in all directions. Pilots of small
aircraft should avoid operating within three rotor diameters of any helicopter in a slow
hover taxi or stationary hover. In forward flight, departing or landing helicopters
produce a pair of strong, high-speed trailing vortices similar to wing tip vortices of
larger fixed wing aircraft. Pilots of small aircraft should use caution when operating
behind or crossing behind landing and departing helicopters.
7-3-8. Pilot Responsibility
a. Government and industry groups are making concerted efforts to
minimize or eliminate the hazards of trailing vortices. However, the flight disciplines
necessary to ensure vortex avoidance during VFR operations must be exercised by the pilot.
Vortex visualization and avoidance procedures should be exercised by the pilot using the
same degree of concern as in collision avoidance.
b. Wake turbulence may be encountered by aircraft in flight as well
as when operating on the airport movement area.
REFERENCE-
Pilot/Controller Glossary Term- Wake Turbulence.
c. Pilots are reminded that in operations conducted behind all
aircraft, acceptance of instructions from ATC in the following situations is an
acknowledgment that the pilot will ensure safe takeoff and landing intervals and accepts
the responsibility for providing wake turbulence separation.
1. Traffic information.
2. Instructions to follow an aircraft; and
3. The acceptance of a visual approach clearance.
d. For operations conducted behind heavy aircraft, ATC will
specify the word "heavy" when this information is known. Pilots of heavy
aircraft should always use the word "heavy" in radio communications.
e. Heavy and large jet aircraft operators should use the following
procedures during an approach to landing. These procedures establish a dependable baseline
from which pilots of in-trail, lighter aircraft may reasonably expect to make effective
flight path adjustments to avoid serious wake vortex turbulence.
1. Pilots of aircraft that produce strong wake vortices should make
every attempt to fly on the established glidepath, not above it; or, if glidepath guidance
is not available, to fly as closely as possible to a "3-1" glidepath, not above
it.
EXAMPLE-
Fly 3,000 feet at 10 miles from touchdown, 1,500 feet at 5 miles, 1,200 feet at 4 miles,
and so on to touchdown.
2. Pilots of aircraft that produce strong wake vortices should fly
as closely as possible to the approach course centerline or to the extended centerline of
the runway of intended landing as appropriate to conditions.
f. Pilots operating lighter aircraft on visual approaches in-trail
to aircraft producing strong wake vortices should use the following procedures to assist
in avoiding wake turbulence. These procedures apply only to those aircraft that are on
visual approaches.
1. Pilots of lighter aircraft should fly on or above the glidepath.
Glidepath reference may be furnished by an ILS, by a visual approach slope system, by
other ground-based approach slope guidance systems, or by other means. In the absence of
visible glidepath guidance, pilots may very nearly duplicate a 3-degree glideslope by
adhering to the "3 to 1" glidepath principle.
EXAMPLE-
Fly 3,000 feet at 10 miles from touchdown, 1,500 feet at 5 miles, 1,200 feet at 4 miles,
and so on to touchdown.
2. If the pilot of the lighter following aircraft has visual
contact with the preceding heavier aircraft and also with the runway, the pilot may
further adjust for possible wake vortex turbulence by the following practices:
(a) Pick a point of landing no less than 1,000 feet from the
arrival end of the runway.
(b) Establish a line-of-sight to that landing point that is above
and in front of the heavier preceding aircraft.
(c) When possible, note the point of landing of the heavier
preceding aircraft and adjust point of intended landing as necessary.
EXAMPLE-
A puff of smoke may appear at the 1,000-foot markings of the runway, showing that
touchdown was that point; therefore, adjust point of intended landing to the 1,500-foot
markings.
(d) Maintain the line-of-sight to the point of intended landing
above and ahead of the heavier preceding aircraft; maintain it to touchdown.
(e) Land beyond the point of landing of the preceding heavier
aircraft.
3. During visual approaches pilots may ask ATC for updates on
separation and groundspeed with respect to heavier preceding aircraft, especially when
there is any question of safe separation from wake turbulence.
7-3-9. Air Traffic Wake Turbulence Separations
a. Because of the possible effects of wake turbulence, controllers
are required to apply no less than specified minimum separation for aircraft operating
behind a heavy jet and, in certain instances, behind large nonheavy aircraft
(i.e., B757 aircraft).
1. Separation is applied to aircraft operating directly behind a heavy/B757
jet at the same altitude or less than 1,000 feet below:
(a) Heavy jet behind heavy jet-4 miles.
(b) Large/heavy behind B757 - 4 miles.
(c) Small behind B757 - 5 miles.
(d) Small/large aircraft behind heavy jet - 5 miles.
2. Also, separation, measured at the time the preceding aircraft is
over the landing threshold, is provided to small aircraft:
(a) Small aircraft landing behind heavy jet - 6 miles.
(b) Small aircraft landing behind B757 - 5 miles.
(c) Small aircraft landing behind large aircraft- 4 miles.
REFERENCE-
Pilot/Controller Glossary Term- Aircraft Classes.
3. Additionally, appropriate time or distance intervals are
provided to departing aircraft:
(a) Two minutes or the appropriate 4 or 5 mile radar separation
when takeoff behind a heavy/B757 jet will be:
(1) From the same threshold.
(2) On a crossing runway and projected flight paths will cross.
(3) From the threshold of a parallel runway when staggered ahead of
that of the adjacent runway by less than 500 feet and when the runways are separated by
less than 2,500 feet.
NOTE-
Controllers may not reduce or waive these intervals.
b. A 3-minute interval will
be provided when a small aircraft will takeoff:
1. From an intersection on
the same runway (same or opposite direction) behind a departing large aircraft,
2. In the opposite
direction on the same runway behind a large aircraft takeoff or low/missed approach.
NOTE-
This 3-minute interval may be waived upon specific pilot request.
c. A 3-minute interval will be provided for all aircraft taking off
when the operations are as described in subparagraph b1 and 2 above, the preceding
aircraft is a heavy/B757 jet, and the operations are on either the same runway or
parallel runways separated by less than 2,500 feet. Controllers may not reduce or waive
this interval.
d. Pilots may request additional separation i.e., 2 minutes instead
of 4 or 5 miles for wake turbulence avoidance. This request should be made as soon as
practical on ground control and at least before taxiing onto the runway.
NOTE-
14 CFR Section 91.3(a) states: "The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly
responsible for and is the final authority as to the operation of that aircraft."
e. Controllers may anticipate separation and need not withhold a
takeoff clearance for an aircraft departing behind a large/heavy aircraft if there
is reasonable assurance the required separation will exist when the departing aircraft
starts takeoff roll.
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