Question

When applying wake turbulence separation criteria, directly behind means an aircraft is operating within ____feet of the flight path of the leading aircraft over the surface of the earth.

A) 300 feet
B) 500 feet
C) 700 feet
D) 1000 feet

Answer 1

Wake turbulence separation criteria specify a minimum lateral separation distance of 500 feet to avoid being 'directly behind' the lead aircraft over the earth's surface to prevent turbulence-related incidents.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it comes to aviation safety, one critical aspect is avoiding wake turbulence, which can be quite dangerous. Wake turbulence separation criteria dictate that an aircraft must avoid operating too closely behind another aircraft to prevent encountering the turbulent airflows that the leading plane generates. Specifically, the question relates to what is considered 'directly behind' the lead aircraft in terms of distance over the surface of the earth. The answer is B) 500 feet. This means an aircraft must maintain at least 500 feet lateral separation from the flight path of the preceding aircraft to be considered not directly behind it, thereby minimizing the risk related to wake turbulence.

Aircraft separation standards, both horizontal and vertical, ensure aircraft safety while in flight, similar to the principles of spacing seen in quantum mechanics regarding the position of electrons. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates these standards stringently to prevent collisions and accidents due to wake turbulence from large aircraft.