Departure seperation
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: NY
Departure seperation
When departing non heavy’s behind heavy jet aircraft do you use 5 miles versus two minutes in a radar enviroment? If you are applying miles in trail versus two minutes is it the pilots responsibility to request the time parameter versus mileage prior to taking the runway?
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 559
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From: looking out of the window
If its medium behind the heavy, then the separation that is applied is due to wake turbulence - so a minimum of 2 minutes. This cannot be reduced by using 5 miles in trail and that is for departure sep where WT isn't an issue.
If a captain wanted more than 2 minutes behind a departing aircraft of a higher category than their own (except S following M) then they should request with the tower - preferably before lining up!
If a captain wanted more than 2 minutes behind a departing aircraft of a higher category than their own (except S following M) then they should request with the tower - preferably before lining up!
