Final answer:
The Light aircraft category generally refers to aircraft weighing no more than 7,000 kg. Required FAA separation distances for safety are 8 NM for light behind super heavy, 6 NM for light behind heavy, and 5 NM for light behind medium aircraft.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Light category of aircraft typically includes those with a maximum takeoff weight of no more than 7,000 kilograms (kg). However, the specific weight limits for light category aircraft may vary by jurisdiction or regulatory body, so this information could be approximate.
Regarding separation distances required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), they are defined to ensure safety and prevent incidents due to wake turbulence. The required separations are:
- A light aircraft behind a super heavy aircraft requires 8 nautical miles (NM) separation.
- When following a heavy aircraft, a light aircraft needs a 6 NM separation.
- Finally, a light aircraft behind a medium sized aircraft is required to maintain a separation of 5 NM.
These values are essential for maintaining safe operations in airspace and preventing potential accidents due to the wake vortex effect caused by larger aircraft.