Wake Turbulence Problem Areas

AIM ¶ 7-4-5 — Wake Turbulence Problem Areas

AIM 7-4-5 explains wake turbulence operational problem areas, vortex behavior, and how pilots avoid hazardous encounters during approach, departure, and pattern ops.

In Plain English

AIM 7-4-5 highlights the operational situations where wake turbulence is most likely to bite — and why outcomes range from a bump to catastrophic loss of control. Severity depends on the generator's weight, wingspan, and size, your distance from it, and where you intercept the vortex. Induced roll is worst when your heading aligns with the generator's flight path.

The golden rule: AVOID THE AREA BELOW AND BEHIND the wake-generating aircraft, especially at low altitude where recovery time is minimal.

A classic trap is accepting a visual approach behind heavy landing traffic and drifting below their glidepath. Use every available vertical guidance cue (VASI/PAPI, glideslope) to stay at or above the leader's path.

Be extra alert in calm wind when vortices may:

Linger in the touchdown zone
Drift from a parallel runway
Sink into a crossing runway's takeoff/landing path
Sink into the traffic pattern from other ops
Sink onto VFR traffic 500 ft below at hemispheric altitudes

Visualize the vortex trail of nearby traffic, and if you fly a larger aircraft, adjust your flight path to protect those behind you.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 7-4-5

A wake turbulence encounter can range from negligible to catastrophic. The impact of the encounter depends on the weight, wingspan, size of the generating aircraft, distance from the generating aircraft, and point of vortex encounter. The probability of induced roll increases when the encountering aircraft's heading is generally aligned with the flight path of the generating aircraft. AVOID THE AREA BELOW AND BEHIND THE WAKE GENERATING AIRCRAFT, ESPECIALLY AT LOW ALTITUDE WHERE EVEN A MOMENTARY WAKE ENCOUNTER COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. Pilots should be particularly alert in calm wind conditions and situations where the vortices could: Remain in the touchdown area. Drift from aircraft operating on a nearby runway. Sink into the takeoff or landing path from a crossing runway. Sink into the traffic pattern from other airport operations. Sink into the flight path of VFR aircraft operating on the hemispheric altitude 500 feet below. Pilots should attempt to visualize the vortex trail of aircraft whose projected flight path they may encounter. When possible, pilots of larger aircraft should adjust their flight paths to minimize vortex exposure to other aircraft.

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What factors determine the severity of a wake turbulence encounter?

Per AIM 7-4-5, severity depends on the generating aircraft's weight, wingspan, and size, the distance between aircraft, and the point at which the vortex is encountered. Induced roll is more likely when the encountering aircraft's heading is aligned with the generator's flight path.

Q2Where is the most dangerous place to be relative to a wake-generating aircraft, and what's a common scenario for an encounter?

Per AIM 7-4-5, pilots must avoid the area below and behind the wake-generating aircraft, especially at low altitude where even a momentary encounter could be catastrophic. A common scenario is accepting a visual approach clearance behind landing traffic and inadvertently flying below the leader's flight path.

Q3In calm wind conditions, what wake turbulence behaviors should pilots watch for?

Per AIM 7-4-5, in calm winds vortices may remain in the touchdown area, drift from a nearby runway, sink into a crossing runway's takeoff or landing path, sink into the traffic pattern from other operations, or sink into the flight path of VFR aircraft on the hemispheric altitude 500 feet below.

Related Paragraphs in Chapter 7

¶ 7-4-1

Wake Turbulence Basics

¶ 7-4-2

Wake Vortex Generation

Wake Turbulence Avoidance

¶ 7-4-7