A-380 Question

[Shore Guy]

According to Flight International, Boeing expects a ruling soon on wake turbulence separation for the 747-8.

Boeing expects ICAO 747-8 wake ruling "very soon" (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/08/19/361054/boeing-expects-icao-747-8-wake-ruling-very-soon.html)


The 747-4 separation is 4mn, and Boeing is hoping the ruling for the -8 will be the same.

My question....What is the wake separation for the A-380?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<The 747-4 separation is 4mn>>

Only involving other heavies. Smaller aircraft have greater separation behind a 747-400.

[westhawk]

Guidance on the ATC separation of other aircraft from the wake of the A-380 can be as little as 5 miles to as much as 10 miles according to multiple variable factors. It appears that the required separation for aircraft flying behind "Super" heavies averages 30-40 percent greater than for "Heavy" aircraft. It won't surprise me a bit if 748s are declared to be "Super" or "J" class as well.

[Trent 972]

Airbus A380 Wake Vortex Guidance (http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Airbus_A380_Wake_Vortex_Guidance)

& ICAO

RADAR WAKE TURBULENCE SEPARATION MINIMA (http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/160.pdf)
(PANS-ATM 8.7.4.4 and 8.7.4.4.1) (http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/160.pdf)

[main_dog]

For us on the B744, 6 nm separation required behind a 380 on approach, and 2 minutes on departure. No idea what is is for medium/lights.

MD

[j_swift]

This is whats prescribed in SIN:

SAME WAKE CATEGORY - 4NM
LIGHT FOLLOW HEAVY - 6NM
MEDIUM FOLLOW HEAVY - 5NM
HEAVY OR MEDIUM FOLLOW LIGHT - 3NM
HEAVY FOLLOW MEDIUM - 3NM
ANY AIRCRAFT FOLLOW A380 - 6NM.

[Plank Cap]

From my own experience as a B777 pilot:

have twice now flown into the descending wake of an A380 (visually identified) in the cruise, with us being opposite direction below, 1000' vertical separation (RVSM). Both these experiences led to quite an exciting ride for 15-20 seconds, with up to 30 degrees roll left and right. Memo to self - in RVSM with opposite direction 380s above, a 1nm offset right routinely might not be a bad idea...........

[twochai]

in RVSM with opposite direction 380s above, a 1nm offset right routinely might not be a bad idea...........

Unless the A380's also do the same offset.........

[misd-agin]

twochai - SLOP is to the right, either 1nm or 2nm.

If you're approaching head on as the poster suggests and both a/c are using SLOP they'll be up to 4 nm's offset.

Camera airplane stays up sun, plane to be photographed offsets(SLOP) down sun. :ok: