FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Navigation, Air Traffic Control and ProceduresHard
A Boeing 737 (large category) is being sequenced for approach behind an Airbus A380 (super category) on the same runway. What minimum radar separation must ATC apply between the two aircraft?
- A4 nautical miles
- B6 nautical miles
- C5 nautical miles
- D7 nautical miles
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 7 nautical miles
Per FAA Order JO 7110.65, when a large aircraft follows a super category aircraft (such as the A380) for approach or departure, ATC must apply 7 nautical miles of radar separation due to the severity of wake turbulence generated by super category aircraft.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 4 NM applies to heavy-behind-heavy separation, not behind a super.
- B. 6 NM applies to heavy-behind-super separation, not large-behind-super.
- C. 5 NM applies to large-behind-heavy separation.
Wake Turbulence Radar Separation
ATC applies increased radar separation minimums between aircraft of different wake turbulence categories, with the largest spacing required behind super category aircraft like the A380.
- Super leading, Heavy following: 6 NM
- Super leading, Large/Small following: 7 NM
- Heavy leading, Heavy following: 4 NM
- Heavy leading, Large following: 5 NM
Memory trick: Super wakes need Super space — 7 miles for large followers