The scientific approach to determining wake strength used for the A380 has been applied across the spectrum, hence the RECAT-US and RECAT-EU schemes, and the forthcoming Static Pair Wise Separation.
I'd rather use a wake scheme based on science than the ICAO 'finger in the air' categories and separations that most of the world still use.
I would not hold you breath, there is actually very little actual science in RECAT. RECAT is good for final approach segment, and perhaps the departure recat will come alive again.
The entire RECAT was based on 4 valid wake measurements out of Memphis....What has been known for years is that the wakes dont last as long as they state, and especially in even a light crosswinds, are out of the flightpath in around 20 seconds.
So the 'science' is just closing up the spacing until you have more wake encounters, then they will back it off. It does not take into account still air, or inversion layers, in reality, it is just sticking their finger up somewhere.(this is why they are studying 'acceptable' wake encounters.
Look at LHR. Doesnt everyone think there is a good possiblity of a wake encounter on final, and expect a wake encounter on dep? The reason there are not more serious incidents is that everyone expects it to happen.
The "beast of a wake" that underfire posted at #9 was from a 787.
Yes, the post was about how severe the wake is from the 787.
The 748 was required to do studies on wake as well as part of cert.