Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

2 Answers

Did I hear that right … “Super”?

Asked by: 3109 views FAA Regulations

So, I was listening to LiveATC the other day, and heard the aircraft qualifier "super" being used by the controls (i.e. "AirFrance 123 Super, cleared for the approach"). Any controls out there know what this is all about? Is "super" a new aircraft class identifier (I didn't find it listed in the pilot/controller glossary)? Does it replace "heavy" for certain types of aircraft, and if so which ones? 

Of course, I could have misheard the controllers, and "super" was never added as an aircraft qualifier at all, if so I apologize!

Thanks.

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

2 Answers



  1. Scott on Sep 02, 2014

    Super is indeed a higher weight classification. Right now the only 2 aircraft are the A380 and AN225. Basically, far more seperation is required behind them than normal heavies.

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. Heather McNevin on Sep 03, 2014

    Super lets the controller know that the aircraft is larger than a heavy. The pilots use it in all communications, and Center controllers sometimes say it with the callsign. The terminal controllers should all say it. It lets us know that there are a different set of rules for that aircraft because of its weight classification (increased wake turbulence and no visual separation).

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.