Wake Turbulence calculations different in UK and Europe?
I've just read SI to MATS Pt1 (CAP493) on the CAA web site. Do these figures apply to European airfields?
Yesterday at an airfield in Germany we (light, MTOW 9tons(according to CAP493)) were departing behind a B738(Medium). I started my stopwatch as the nose wheel of the B738 rotated. We were given line up and take-off clearance after 40 seconds. I complained but was told the 738 was now 4 miles ahead. huh?????? Never heard that before.
So by what do European ATCOs work to when calculating Wake turbulence seperation minima for departing aircraft?