about the separation between departing aircraft and the following landing aircraft
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If controllers at your airport can't apply safe wake turbulence separation, then they need retrained!
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Wake turbulence is an increasing threat in the training world - at one airfield in particular with a low to medium flow rate I/my student has been well inside 4nm (Light) when a departure (Medium or greater) has been released. Marginal but manageable, except we're planned/announced to go around not to land. And a reasonable headwind, putting the ensuing wake turbulence neatly in our climbout lane. Individual tower controllers vary with awareness and negotiation on this - some are excellent once the issue has been recognised by offering alternatives, others are perhaps not as aware from the training or organisational background.
Training is complex for all, but the majority of instrument training does need the full approach to be truly valid - particularly on a test where to complete an approach for my candidate they need the opportunity to fly it to procedure minima. On the flip side, while training traffic may be a little slower to respond to calls/not perfectly accurate at times, all IFR training is done with a suitably qualified adult observing/commanding, which ought to control the risk level a bit.
Really very happy to discuss this with ATCOs/arrange liaison flights once easily possibly to try and foster understanding on all sides, since ultimately we're all working towards the same aim of minimum paperwork/maximum achievement!
Training is complex for all, but the majority of instrument training does need the full approach to be truly valid - particularly on a test where to complete an approach for my candidate they need the opportunity to fly it to procedure minima. On the flip side, while training traffic may be a little slower to respond to calls/not perfectly accurate at times, all IFR training is done with a suitably qualified adult observing/commanding, which ought to control the risk level a bit.
Really very happy to discuss this with ATCOs/arrange liaison flights once easily possibly to try and foster understanding on all sides, since ultimately we're all working towards the same aim of minimum paperwork/maximum achievement!
Wake turbulence is an increasing threat in the training world - at one airfield in particular with a low to medium flow rate I/my student has been well inside 4nm (Light) when a departure (Medium or greater) has been released. Marginal but manageable, except we're planned/announced to go around not to land. And a reasonable headwind, putting the ensuing wake turbulence neatly in our climbout lane. Individual tower controllers vary with awareness and negotiation on this - some are excellent once the issue has been recognised by offering alternatives, others are perhaps not as aware from the training or organisational background.
Training is complex for all, but the majority of instrument training does need the full approach to be truly valid - particularly on a test where to complete an approach for my candidate they need the opportunity to fly it to procedure minima. On the flip side, while training traffic may be a little slower to respond to calls/not perfectly accurate at times, all IFR training is done with a suitably qualified adult observing/commanding, which ought to control the risk level a bit.
Really very happy to discuss this with ATCOs/arrange liaison flights once easily possibly to try and foster understanding on all sides, since ultimately we're all working towards the same aim of minimum paperwork/maximum achievement!
Training is complex for all, but the majority of instrument training does need the full approach to be truly valid - particularly on a test where to complete an approach for my candidate they need the opportunity to fly it to procedure minima. On the flip side, while training traffic may be a little slower to respond to calls/not perfectly accurate at times, all IFR training is done with a suitably qualified adult observing/commanding, which ought to control the risk level a bit.
Really very happy to discuss this with ATCOs/arrange liaison flights once easily possibly to try and foster understanding on all sides, since ultimately we're all working towards the same aim of minimum paperwork/maximum achievement!
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So in the second para it mentions that the scenario is IFR training. In that case, the 'go around' would be initiated no later than the MAPT, so the training aircraft should be above the departing aircraft - given that wake turbulence sinks, there should be no problem. If you are finding that departing flights have a significantly greater RoC than the training aircraft such that they are climbing through your level, then yes, some liaison with local ATC would be warranted and they could treat your flight as a departing light behind a medium > 25000kg and apply the appropriate WT standard (in my ICAO compliant country 2min or 5NM - MATS 10.6.2.1 applies).
Thanks to all agreeing that there is a potential issue here. Quiet discussions are ongoing but I would far rather educate and liaise than regulate, not least to find out what we can do better to communicate potential issues. It's not a constant issue at the airport in question but is notable because it's the only airfield I use regularly where I've had to consider negotiating an early turn etc 4 times in the last 2 years - statistically insignificant, but more exciting for us. Also worth noting that tower ATCOs have recognised the issue every time at a late stage, so awareness does exist, but indicative of complexities when mixing medium, heavy, light, and training traffic in reasonably close proximity. Worst case would be for the airfield to stop accepting training traffic due to workload/risk!
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Great post from LastStandards - and yes, there IS an issue here. A big one..... There is no excuse for any controller not having a grasp of the risks involved with wake turbulence, even if the exact scenario is not quite as described in MATS1.
While I would acknowledge that if able, then the training scenario to which the instructor is working should be respected and granted. If for no other reason than simple politeness. If able... But training flights are a lesser flight priority than Normal Flights. That is a fact and should be borne in mind by both parties. At my last station, this was not the case and scheduled traffic would be held on the rwy - sometimes for up to 5 minutes - waiting for a release from radar while a trainer went around not below 700', asymetric, standard missed etc. Really got me irritated as not expeditious. No attempt being made to come up with a solution to limit the delay. (Plenty of options!)
I also recall at a beloved former station, when as a relatively newly validated tower controller it really started to kick off. I forget the exact details, apart from the fact that in the middle of all this chaos going on on the ground with departures etc. there was a DA42 bimbling down the approach. EXAM callsign, IFR check-out. Whatever and why ever, he was getting closer and closer to his go around. In the end - when I finally got around to it! - he got the "Cleared to land, land only" call. This was a piece of phraseology we used, maybe not frequently, but when wake turbulence was obviously an issue. In this case it clearly was. The examiner came back - and no doubt trying to help me out as it was obvious I was really busy - said he was happy to accept and early left, visual, and to apply his own wake turbulence separation. Unfortunately, WT is NOT at the discretion of ATC (or instructors...) so he got a negative. The student performed a perfect landing, taxied round and departed again in total safety.
The point of my post is thus that while we should all try and accommodate all requests it is not always possible. Training flights have to accept this - and their lower priority - and I'd suggest that there is excellent training value to be gained from being prepared as much as possible for ALL eventualities. Go-arounds when the mind-set is to land, landings when the mind-set is for the go-around. (What, prey, happens when on applying GA power, splutter, splutter - engine dies? !!) And all variations in between.
And before anyone chips in and reminds me, I am well aware that EXAM callsigns are the same priority as normal flights! But my example is offered to illustrate real life.
I phoned the flight school later and spoke to the examiner. The student passed with flying colours, he being particulary impressed with how he handled something unforeseen being thrown at him!!!!!!!!
While I would acknowledge that if able, then the training scenario to which the instructor is working should be respected and granted. If for no other reason than simple politeness. If able... But training flights are a lesser flight priority than Normal Flights. That is a fact and should be borne in mind by both parties. At my last station, this was not the case and scheduled traffic would be held on the rwy - sometimes for up to 5 minutes - waiting for a release from radar while a trainer went around not below 700', asymetric, standard missed etc. Really got me irritated as not expeditious. No attempt being made to come up with a solution to limit the delay. (Plenty of options!)
I also recall at a beloved former station, when as a relatively newly validated tower controller it really started to kick off. I forget the exact details, apart from the fact that in the middle of all this chaos going on on the ground with departures etc. there was a DA42 bimbling down the approach. EXAM callsign, IFR check-out. Whatever and why ever, he was getting closer and closer to his go around. In the end - when I finally got around to it! - he got the "Cleared to land, land only" call. This was a piece of phraseology we used, maybe not frequently, but when wake turbulence was obviously an issue. In this case it clearly was. The examiner came back - and no doubt trying to help me out as it was obvious I was really busy - said he was happy to accept and early left, visual, and to apply his own wake turbulence separation. Unfortunately, WT is NOT at the discretion of ATC (or instructors...) so he got a negative. The student performed a perfect landing, taxied round and departed again in total safety.
The point of my post is thus that while we should all try and accommodate all requests it is not always possible. Training flights have to accept this - and their lower priority - and I'd suggest that there is excellent training value to be gained from being prepared as much as possible for ALL eventualities. Go-arounds when the mind-set is to land, landings when the mind-set is for the go-around. (What, prey, happens when on applying GA power, splutter, splutter - engine dies? !!) And all variations in between.
And before anyone chips in and reminds me, I am well aware that EXAM callsigns are the same priority as normal flights! But my example is offered to illustrate real life.
I phoned the flight school later and spoke to the examiner. The student passed with flying colours, he being particulary impressed with how he handled something unforeseen being thrown at him!!!!!!!!
Indeed, that is probably the controller's expectation, not least with our slower groundspeed. The reality is that training aircraft at this particular airport (not my home base, but does have based MEP operators) are often climbing with significantly reduced performance while simulating engine failures - another discussion topic perhaps. Decent headwind days put us far closer to potential wake from 737/A320 departures cleared to an initial level 3-4000' above our cleared level.
Thanks to all agreeing that there is a potential issue here. Quiet discussions are ongoing but I would far rather educate and liaise than regulate, not least to find out what we can do better to communicate potential issues. It's not a constant issue at the airport in question but is notable because it's the only airfield I use regularly where I've had to consider negotiating an early turn etc 4 times in the last 2 years - statistically insignificant, but more exciting for us. Also worth noting that tower ATCOs have recognised the issue every time at a late stage, so awareness does exist, but indicative of complexities when mixing medium, heavy, light, and training traffic in reasonably close proximity. Worst case would be for the airfield to stop accepting training traffic due to workload/risk!
Thanks to all agreeing that there is a potential issue here. Quiet discussions are ongoing but I would far rather educate and liaise than regulate, not least to find out what we can do better to communicate potential issues. It's not a constant issue at the airport in question but is notable because it's the only airfield I use regularly where I've had to consider negotiating an early turn etc 4 times in the last 2 years - statistically insignificant, but more exciting for us. Also worth noting that tower ATCOs have recognised the issue every time at a late stage, so awareness does exist, but indicative of complexities when mixing medium, heavy, light, and training traffic in reasonably close proximity. Worst case would be for the airfield to stop accepting training traffic due to workload/risk!
4 miles final and 3 departures? That’s 3 departures in less than 2 minutes.... if your 737 is doing 120 on final, and the departures use 40 seconds to get airborne... it’s barely doable.
I’d personally believe in 2 departures.... unless something small you can get out of the way fast.
I’d personally believe in 2 departures.... unless something small you can get out of the way fast.
I'd call it good runway utilisation.
On another fam flight departing 08R in a 737, the captain wound it up to about 50% before we even turned onto the runway so maybe these guys were doing the same.
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All 3 departures were 737s, the first was rolling as we hit 4nm; the second was cleared as soon as the first was airborne and I was pretty amazed when the third was then cleared, however we still got landing clearance by about 1.5nm; don't ask me what departure separations were used as I don't know however my crew said similar situations were not unknown.
I'd call it good runway utilisation.
On another fam flight departing 08R in a 737, the captain wound it up to about 50% before we even turned onto the runway so maybe these guys were doing the same.
I'd call it good runway utilisation.
On another fam flight departing 08R in a 737, the captain wound it up to about 50% before we even turned onto the runway so maybe these guys were doing the same.
unless you had Huracan Katrina on your nose on final approach, and even then ....
<br />A bit of an exaggeration: if it's within the unit safety case, then it's safe to use. If it isn't, there'll be safety reports to explain why it happened, & how to avoid it happening again. Unless you know the unit & the requirements, you're not really in any position to judge...<br />
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<br />A bit of an exaggeration: if it's within the unit safety case, then it's safe to use. If it isn't, there'll be safety reports to explain why it happened, & how to avoid it happening again. Unless you know the unit & the requirements, you're not really in any position to judge...<br />
As a matter of fact I AM in a position to judge.
At 4 NM and even with a VERY strong headwind component on a B737 on final app you are talking of aprox. 2-3 MINS to the threshold. AND EVEN if that's the case you are looking for trouble, as you are relying on 3 pilots, 3 planes and a lot of other factors with no surprises.
And any safety management system, or manual for ATS operation, or safety case, that tells you is OK to launch THREE a/c when a jet a/c l is at 4NM on finals should be brought to a court of room straight away charged with attempted mass murder, and convicted to be hanged by their covers...
And good luck trying to find one that states such an insanity.
