Managing the Wake: Boxing & Turbulence
Every airplane creates wake turbulence and proper precautions must be taken to avoid encountering wake turbulence.
Fundamentally, air from below the wing is drawn toward the upper portion of the wing because of the lower pressure on top of the wing. This creates vortices as the air flows around the wingtips, these vortices will move away from the airplane's wingtips and drift downwards. Although all airplanes create wingtip vortices, the larger the airplane, the larger the vortex and therefore the larger effect it will have on your airplane.
Wingtip vortices are the strongest when the airplane is heavy, clean, and slow. This means the airplane is close to its maximum gross weight, is not using high-lift devices like flaps, and is traveling at a slow speed. The reason this particular combination creates the strongest vortices is because the airplane is required to fly at a high angle of attack to generate enough lift to keep it flying. The more the airplane weighs, the more lift is required and if the airplane is flying at a slow airspeed, the only way enough lift can be created is by having the wings at a high angle of attack. Usually this is most prevalent during takeoff and landing because the airplane is slow.
For the most part you should only be concerned about the wake turbulence created by larger aircraft.
There are three ways to avoid wake turbulence. First, avoid flying through or right below another aircraft's flight path.
As wave turbulence is created and moves away from the airplane it descends at around 300 to 500 feet per minute.
Next during takeoff you should rotate prior to the larger airplane's rotation point and if possible, climb above its climb path. This may be the best approach when there is a slight crosswind as the crosswind can push the vortex over the runway for several minutes.
Full-length departures behind a large aircraft and taking off after a larger aircraft has landed do not require ATC to give a three-minute delay for wake turbulence. Because the wake turbulence isn't as strong, you will still have to depart and maneuver to avoid the wake turbulence.
Weight turbulence is an invisible threat to all aircraft. By knowing how and where it forms, you can do your best to avoid this potentially hazardous situation.
Fundamentally, air from below the wing is drawn toward the upper portion of the wing because of the lower pressure on top of the wing. This creates vortices as the air flows around the wingtips, these vortices will move away from the airplane's wingtips and drift downwards. Although all airplanes create wingtip vortices, the larger the airplane, the larger the vortex and therefore the larger effect it will have on your airplane.
Wingtip vortices are the strongest when the airplane is heavy, clean, and slow. This means the airplane is close to its maximum gross weight, is not using high-lift devices like flaps, and is traveling at a slow speed. The reason this particular combination creates the strongest vortices is because the airplane is required to fly at a high angle of attack to generate enough lift to keep it flying. The more the airplane weighs, the more lift is required and if the airplane is flying at a slow airspeed, the only way enough lift can be created is by having the wings at a high angle of attack. Usually this is most prevalent during takeoff and landing because the airplane is slow.
For the most part you should only be concerned about the wake turbulence created by larger aircraft.
There are three ways to avoid wake turbulence. First, avoid flying through or right below another aircraft's flight path.
As wave turbulence is created and moves away from the airplane it descends at around 300 to 500 feet per minute.
Next during takeoff you should rotate prior to the larger airplane's rotation point and if possible, climb above its climb path. This may be the best approach when there is a slight crosswind as the crosswind can push the vortex over the runway for several minutes.
Full-length departures behind a large aircraft and taking off after a larger aircraft has landed do not require ATC to give a three-minute delay for wake turbulence. Because the wake turbulence isn't as strong, you will still have to depart and maneuver to avoid the wake turbulence.
Weight turbulence is an invisible threat to all aircraft. By knowing how and where it forms, you can do your best to avoid this potentially hazardous situation.