Final answer:
The required separation for a large or heavy aircraft operating behind a B757 is five miles, to ensure safety from the B757's wake turbulence.
Step-by-step explanation:
When separating a large or heavy aircraft operating directly behind a B757, air traffic controllers should use a separation of five miles. This is because the B757 is known for producing significant wake turbulence, and the following aircraft needs additional space to ensure safety.