Wake Turbulence Categories
Aircraft Sizing & Categories · 5 specs
Direct Answer
Wake turbulence categories group aircraft by Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) to enforce mandatory radar and timed distance separation behind departing and landing aircraft, preventing hazardous counter-rotating wingtip vortex encounters.
Specs
| Standard Authority | ICAO Doc 4444 (Air Traffic Management) / FAA Order JO 7110.65 |
| Super Category | Airbus A380-800 (MTOW 560–575 tonnes) & Antonov An-225 |
| Heavy Category | MTOW ≥ 136,000 kg (≥ 300,000 lbs) — e.g., B777, A350, B787, A330, B747 |
| Medium Category | MTOW > 7,000 kg to < 136,000 kg (15,500–300,000 lbs) — e.g., A320, B737, E190 |
| Light Category | MTOW ≤ 7,000 kg (≤ 15,500 lbs) — e.g., Cessna 172, King Air 90, Piper PA-28 |
Required Radar Separation Minima Behind Leading Aircraft
| Leading Aircraft Class | Following Aircraft Class | Approach Separation (Nautical Miles) | Departure Separation (Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super (A380) | Heavy | 5 NM | 2 Minutes |
| Super (A380) | Medium | 7 NM | 3 Minutes |
| Super (A380) | Light | 8 NM | 3 Minutes |
| Heavy (B777/A350) | Heavy | 4 NM | 2 Minutes |
| Heavy (B777/A350) | Medium | 5 NM | 2 Minutes |
| Heavy (B777/A350) | Light | 6 NM | 2 Minutes |
| Medium (A320/B737) | Light | 5 NM | 2 Minutes |