CTO CTO Wake Turbulence & Separation Standards 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Wake turbulence is primarily caused by which aerodynamic phenomenon?
- Engine exhaust thrust
- Wing-tip vortices generated by lift (Correct answer)
- Propeller wash at low altitude
- Airframe drag during descent
Correct answer: Wing-tip vortices generated by lift
Wake turbulence is generated by wing-tip vortices, which form whenever an aircraft is producing lift.
Question 2: Under FAA Order 7110.65, which aircraft category requires the greatest wake turbulence separation when landing behind a Super (A380-class) aircraft?
- Heavy
- Large
- Small (Correct answer)
- All categories equally
Correct answer: Small
Small aircraft require the greatest relative separation distance (6 nautical miles on final) behind Super aircraft due to their vulnerability to wake vortices.
Question 3: Wake turbulence vortices from a departing aircraft tend to move in which direction relative to the runway centerline in calm wind conditions?
- They rise above the departure path
- They remain stationary on the centerline
- They sink and drift outward from the centerline (Correct answer)
- They move upwind toward the threshold
Correct answer: They sink and drift outward from the centerline
Wake vortices sink below and drift laterally outward from the flight path, which is why parallel runway separation is critical.
Question 4: A controller issues a wind report showing a 5-knot tailwind. How does this affect wake turbulence hazard for landing aircraft?
- It carries vortices away from the runway, reducing risk
- It pushes vortices back over the runway threshold, increasing risk (Correct answer)
- Wind has no effect on vortex movement
- It accelerates vortex dissipation immediately
Correct answer: It pushes vortices back over the runway threshold, increasing risk
A tailwind can push vortices back toward the runway threshold area, increasing the hazard for arriving aircraft.
Question 5: The FAA wake turbulence category 'Heavy' applies to aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of at least how many pounds?
- 100,000 lbs
- 255,000 lbs (Correct answer)
- 300,000 lbs
- 41,000 lbs
Correct answer: 255,000 lbs
FAA Order 7110.65 defines 'Heavy' aircraft as those with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 255,000 lbs or more.
Question 6: When a Heavy or Super aircraft is departing, controllers must append which word to the aircraft's callsign in all ATC communications?
- CAUTION
- HEAVY or SUPER (Correct answer)
- LARGE
- WAKE
Correct answer: HEAVY or SUPER
FAA Order 7110.65 requires controllers to include 'Heavy' or 'Super' in the aircraft's callsign to alert pilots of potential wake turbulence.
CTO CTO Wake Turbulence & Separation Standards 1
Wake turbulence is primarily caused by which aerodynamic phenomenon?