Separation after landing helicopters?

[Hansard]

Do ATCOs apply separation after landing helicopters?

Would welcome any comments on whether or not any provision is made for helicopter downwash, particularly in relation to light aircraft.

Thanks

[geezer]

yes Hansard - in the UK at least, helicopters have wake vortex categories & have the same appropriate separation as fixed wings.

[FWA NATCA]

Hansar,

As Geeser stated YES, depending on the size (weight) of the helicopter they can generate a tremendous amount of rotor wash. Granted that the wake turbelence generated by a helicopter doesn't have as large of a foot print as a large or heavy acft, a pilot in a small acft would be wise to give any helicopter a wide berth.

I have seen several small acft flipped over when a CH-53 taxied near a row of small acft.

Mike
NATCA FWA

[Spitoon]

Do bear in mind that, in the UK at least, it's spacing rather than separation that is applied and that pilots making visual approaches (under IFR) and VFR flights are responsible for ensuring that the appropriate spacing exists rather than the controller.

If it looks like the minimum spacing may not be assured in these circumstances the controller will issue a warning (e.g. cleared for a visual approach number two to the XXX, caution vortex wake. The recommended spacing is X miles.)