Oops! Touched a raw nerve didn't I? No offence was intended, but I know for a FACT that 120s vortex separation was not rutinely used by Heathrow in the past, but exactly as I put it (if it has changed, then I stand corrected). It is very easy to get 120s between successive flight paths and I'm sure that clearances at Stansted are issued to achieve this. Why then does N4641P wait for a lot less time at Heathrow? Perhaps other Heathrow Tower controllers could comment?
Having experienced vortex wake from the cockpit at low level (from same category aircraft) I would never be tempted to squeeze the minima, but I know that it is done. The minima are enforced to save pilots from themselves as many of them are champing at the bit to go reguardless (hence "it is then up to the pilot to decide whether he values his life sufficient to delay departure"). The minima are also just that. They will not rule out the possibility of a vortex incident (see above), but lessen the likelyhood of it.
As for A340s, why aren't they put in a lower speed group to formalise things if they are such a problem for young ADC only controllers to grasp?
Last edited by Dan Dare; 14th May 2002 at 15:15.