VLA sensitivity to wakes
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Estonia
VLA sensitivity to wakes
How sensitive are the VLA - An-225 and Ai-380-800 to wakes generated by conventional heavy aircraft like Bo-747, An-124 or Ai-340-600?
Does the large wing area of the VLA catch the vortices easily and make the VLA sensitive? Or does their large size enable them to ignore turbulent wakes and fly close behind the conventional heavies?
An-225 has been flying for many years and undertakes commercial charters.
As for sizes, An-225 is the biggest landplane - wingspan 88,4 metres versus 79,8 metres for Ai-380. It also is the heaviest - MTOW 600 tons versus 560 tons of Ai-380-800Passenger. So, one could just look at the experience with An-225 in airport and cruise operations - then compare with Ai-380-800.
How close can An-225 or Ai-380-800 get behind another aircraft and how big airport slot is, in practice, needed for an An-225 visit?
Does the large wing area of the VLA catch the vortices easily and make the VLA sensitive? Or does their large size enable them to ignore turbulent wakes and fly close behind the conventional heavies?
An-225 has been flying for many years and undertakes commercial charters.
As for sizes, An-225 is the biggest landplane - wingspan 88,4 metres versus 79,8 metres for Ai-380. It also is the heaviest - MTOW 600 tons versus 560 tons of Ai-380-800Passenger. So, one could just look at the experience with An-225 in airport and cruise operations - then compare with Ai-380-800.
How close can An-225 or Ai-380-800 get behind another aircraft and how big airport slot is, in practice, needed for an An-225 visit?
