Which wake turbulence category is used for very large aircraft?

• A. HEAVY
• B. MEDIUM
• C. LIGHT
• D. SUPER

Answer: (D)

Wake turbulence categories are used to match separation requirements to the strength of the vortices an aircraft creates, so controllers can keep air traffic safe. The largest jets generate the strongest and longest-lasting wake vortices, which is why there is a distinct category named for them. This top category, used for the very largest aircraft such as the Airbus A380, is called Super. Because the wake from a Super is so powerful, aircraft following or following behind must maintain greater spacing than behind aircraft in the other categories. The Heavy, Medium, and Light categories cover progressively smaller and less wake-producing aircraft, but they don’t require the same extreme separations as the Super category. That’s why the correct answer is Super.