Boeing 747-8 needs wake vortex tests
 

Boeing 747-8 needs wake vortex tests according to Flt Int

Boeing’s new 747-8 widebody will need to undergo trials to determine aircraft separation for wake turbulence avoidance.


add to that the cost problem with Boeing's alleged EASA 787 certification costs (red herring award) and it's an interesting turn up for the books. The trouble with using a competitors certification criteria ambiguities, is that it can bite you on the arse:ipso facto in this case. Oh dear.

That's an interesting one. Under what circumstances is a more efficient wing going to create more wake turbulence?

When carrying a heavier aircraft.

747-8 cruise attitude
 

I realize this is a bit off topic, however does anybody know if the 747-8 will cruise level as opposed to the current 747-400 nose high attitude inherited from the original design?

I suppose it would be technically stupid to try. DeltaL/DeltaD diverges at minimum drag.

For example at take-off and landing with a different slat/flap system.

Loadman, sounds reasonable. I.e. it's more efficient at cruise but, at low speeds, the extensions will be proportionally greater than its predecessor's.

Ft, "when carrying a heavier aircraft" ok. What about at the same gross though?

I think the B747 was never assessed well. I think it makes sense to have a more serious investigation on the wake vortex issue. It may increase the data and finally lead to more reasonable seperations. Airbus has gained quite a knowledge on this issue and many ideas about seperations have come out of this. The whole thing was treated very briefly the last two decades.