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CA.IV.G.R2dFAA-S-ACS-7B · Nov 2023Risk management

d. Wake turbulence

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Effects of: d. Wake turbulence

Bottom line

Flight tests have shown that the vortices from larger aircraft sink at a rate of several hundred feet per minute, slowing their descent and diminishing in strength with time and distance behind the generating aircraft. Pilots should fly at or above the preceding aircraft’s flight path, altering course as necessary to avoid the area directly behind and below the generating aircraft.

FAA references

  1. PHAK ch. 5 (p. 5-9) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  2. AFH ch. 9 (p. 9-10) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  3. SEA ch. 6 (p. 6-8) — FAA-H-8083-23
  4. AIM 7-4-9 (Air Traffic Wake Turbulence Separations) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  5. PHAK ch. 14 (p. 14-27) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
  6. AIM 7-4-4 (Vortex Behavior) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
  7. AIM 4-6-7 (Guidance on Wake Turbulence) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
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