Final answer:
The correct minimum spacing when taking off behind a heavy aircraft is generally 2 to 3 minutes to avoid the wake turbulence. Exact spacing may vary based on ATC instructions and local regulations. The mention of deceleration in the question seems to be out of context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is about the minimum spacing required when taking off behind a heavy aircraft to avoid wake turbulence. The specific answer to this question can vary depending on different factors such as aircraft weight categories, the wake turbulence category of the aircraft, current air traffic control procedures, and regulations in place. The general rule of thumb is to allow a minimum spacing of 2 to 3 minutes when taking off behind a heavy aircraft. However, the exact spacing may be mandated by the air traffic controllers or prescribed by the specific airport's or country's aviation regulations.
It is crucial for pilots to adhere to these guidelines to maintain a safe distance from the wake turbulence produced by large, heavy aircraft. Wake turbulence can cause significant control issues for smaller aircraft, particularly during the critical phases of takeoff and landing. As such, ensuring adequate separation minimizes the potential risks associated with these invisible turbulent airflows.
The mention of a deceleration value of -15 × 10² m/s² seems to be unrelated to the original question about takeoff spacing and could potentially be a typo or extracted from a different context. It is about three times the deceleration that would be experienced by pilots ejecting and falling from thousands of meters high, which would be a separate discussion pertaining to physics and human factors in aviation.