# Wake Turbulence

> Wake vortex generation, categories, and separation minima.

- **Subject:** 070 — Operational Procedures
- **Section:** 071-02 — Special Operational Procedures and Hazards (General Aspects)
- **Topic code:** 071-02-08
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-04-01
- **Author:** Pablo Asensio Martínez
- **HTML version:** https://pilotsyllabus.com/en/operational-procedures/special-operational-procedures-and-hazards-general-aspects/wake-turbulence/

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## Generation

![Wake turbulence vortices](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Airplane_vortex_edit.jpg)

Produced by pressure differential between upper and lower wing surfaces.
*   Strongest when aircraft is: **Heavy**, **Clean**, **Slow** (High Angle of Attack).
*   Starts at **Rotation** (Nose wheel off) and ends at **Touchdown** (Nose wheel on).

## Movement
*   Descend at ~400-500 fpm initially.
*   Level off ~1000 ft below flight path.
*   Drift with the wind (crosswind can hold a vortex over the runway).

## ICAO Categories (Old & New)
*   **Super (J)**: A380.
*   **Heavy (H)**: MTOM >= 136,000 kg.
*   **Medium (M)**: 7,000 kg < MTOM < 136,000 kg.
*   **Light (L)**: MTOM <= 7,000 kg.

## Separation Minima (Radar)
Distance required behind a HEAVY aircraft:
*   **Heavy** behind Heavy: 4 NM.
*   **Medium** behind Heavy: 5 NM.
*   **Light** behind Heavy: 6 NM.
(Behind Super: 6/7/8 NM).

## Separation Minima (Timed - Non-Radar)
Taking off from same position behind Heavy: **2 minutes**.
Taking off from intersection (shorter run) or opposite direction: **3 minutes**.

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Free study notes from pilotsyllabus.com. Not a substitute for training at an approved ATO.