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2 Answers

Wake Turbulence

Asked by: 4235 views Aerodynamics, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

When it comes to avoiding wake turbulence, the various takeoff and landing scenarios are addressed--except taking off after a heavy aircraft lands. Here's the closest I've found, which deals with the large aircraft executing a low or missed approach: "Because vortices settle and move laterally near the ground, the vortex hazard may exist along the runway and in your flightpath after a large airplane has executed a low missed approach or a touch and go landing, particularly in light quartering wind conditions. The pilot should assure that an interval of at least 2 minutes has elapsed before takeoff or landing." Does the same advice apply? Or is there a safe rotation point, as with departing behind a larger departing aircraft? In other words, is wake turbulence an issue for the departing aircraft while it's still on the ground roll and not airborne?

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2 Answers



  1. Lucas on Dec 10, 2012

    Yes but it 1st while on the ground wake turbulence will not affect the airplane as dramatically as if it was airborne because of the resistance of the ground itself . Also you are correct in stating that a takeoff should be made after the landing point of the heavy aircraft and if you have, say, a 10,000 ft runway you could always elect to take off from an intersection which is past the landing point of that same aircraft therefore avoiding the wake all together.

    Lucas
    http://passfaaexams.com/

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  2. Chuck Copley on Dec 16, 2012

    With a C5A on a miss there is no refference point of wake turb. I recomend waiting the 2 min or if a cross wind – take off and position the flight path well upwind of the aircraft on a miss or go around.

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