Wake Vortex
Thanks for your answers guys - bit disappointed that so few responded - oh wait - that probably means most pilots have not experienced a problem. Now this may well be because of the protocol of grounding everyone within three quarters of a kilometre, I accept.
I am particularly interested because the our ATC interpretation of the current guidelines is that no helicopter should be allowed to hover or hover taxi within 760 m of a runway where a heavier category of aircraft may have created a vortex. This effectively means our whole airport is locked down for skidded helicopters for 3 minutes everytime a heavier cat aircraft takes off or lands. The actual text suggests that crossing a runway should be treated as a departure from that runway. It does not mention operations that do not involve crossing the area of potential vortex.
I have no problem with being prevented from taking off or landing or crossing a runway where a heavier cat aircraft has been - that is only sensible but I think its over the top to apply this same policy to a training square well away from the runway and any potential vortex when there is no intention og going any where near the affected area.
Can I turn the question around - please post if you have ever been a helicopter pilot of small singles operating at airports where heavier cat aircraft operate and you have never experienced wake vortex.
CH