FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Navigation, Air Traffic Control and ProceduresMedium
A heavy category jet has just departed and a second heavy category jet is cleared for takeoff immediately behind it from the same runway. No radar wake turbulence separation is being applied. What is the minimum time separation ATC must provide between the two departures?
- A4 minutes
- B3 minutes
- C1 minute
- D2 minutes
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 2 minutes
FAA Order 7110.65 requires a minimum of 2 minutes of separation for a heavy jet departing behind another heavy jet from the same runway when nonradar wake turbulence procedures are applied.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 4 minutes exceeds the required minimum for this scenario.
- B. 3 minutes applies to smaller/lighter aircraft departing behind a heavy or B757.
- C. 1 minute is insufficient for wake turbulence separation behind a heavy jet.
Wake Turbulence Departure Separation
Minimum time or distance intervals ATC applies between successive departures from the same runway to avoid wake turbulence encounters.
- Heavy behind heavy: minimum 2 minutes (nonradar)
- Small/large behind heavy or B757: minimum 3 minutes
- Radar separation (typically 4-6 NM) may be substituted for time intervals
- Applies to departures from the same runway or a parallel runway less than 2,500 ft apart
Memory trick: 'Heavy-Heavy = 2, Everyone else = 3' behind a Heavy