
As the lift producing airfoil passes
through the air, the air rolls up and
back towards each wing tip producing
two distinct counter rotating vortices,
one trailing each wing tip. The
intensity of the turbulence within
these vortices is directly proportional
to its weight and inversely
proportional to its wingspan and
speed of the airplane.
Regional Gliding School

The heavier and slower the airplane
the greater intensity of air
circulation in the vortex cores. The
most violent vortices are generated
during take-off and landing.
Regional Gliding School

In Cold air the vortices can be
expected to be more severe.
Regional Gliding School

The greatest vortex strength occurs
under conditions of clean
configuration, high weight and slow
speed.
Regional Gliding School





Configuration of the airplane
Flaps
Undercarriage
Location of engine
Tail Configuration
Regional Gliding School
NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage
Regional Gliding School
Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Let's try a few review questions on Airmanship:
Question #1 -
Regional Gliding School
What factors effect vortex strength?
A
Flaps
B
Undercarriage
C
Tail configuration
D
All the above
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Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Let's try a few review questions on Airmanship:
Question #2 -
Regional Gliding School
When does the greatest intensity of wake
turbulence occur?
A
High altitude
B
In the circuit
C
Take off and landing
D
Taxiing
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
Vertical gusts encountered when
crossing laterally through the vortex
can impose structural loads as high
as 10 gs on a small airplane. The
combination of upward and
downward gusts has been estimated
as high as 80’/sec. Most small
airplanes are designed to handle
30’/sec
Regional Gliding School

There is a possibility of structural
failure when an aircraft crosses a
pair of vortices. The strong up and
down forces combined and the
pilot’s attempt to counteract them
will result in loss of control and
airframe design limits being
exceeded.
Regional Gliding School


Vortex generation starts at rotation
(the raising of the nose from the
runway) and increases in intensity at
lift off when the full weight of the
aircraft is sustained by the wings.
It ends when the airplane touches
down.
Regional Gliding School


Vortices may trail as far as 10 to 16
miles depending on the airspeed of
the aircraft.
Wake turbulence usually dissipates
after two minutes. But can remain as
long as five minutes.
Regional Gliding School

Vortices tend to move laterally outward
over the ground at a speed of about 5
knots. This means that the vortices may
position themselves parallel to the runway
and constitute a hazard to aircraft
operating in that area. Crosswind effects
wake turbulence. The stronger the cross
wind, the more vortices get blown to the
side.
Regional Gliding School
NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage
Regional Gliding School
Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Let's try a few review questions on Airmanship:
Question #3 -
Regional Gliding School
What amount of force can be expected
passing through a vortice?
A
As high as 10 g
B
As low as 10 g
C
Approximately 30 N
D
Approximately 20 N
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Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Let's try a few review questions on Airmanship:
Question #4 -
Regional Gliding School
What effect does crosswind have on
vortices?
A
Increased intensity
B
Increased diameter
C
Decreased intensity
D
Blown to side
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
During Flight
Although wake turbulence is most likely
to be encountered during arrival and
departure, it can be a hazard at cruising
altitudes as well. Avoid crossing behind
and less than 1000’ below the flight path
of large, heavy aircraft especially at low
altitudes.
Regional Gliding School

During Taxi
Stay well behind large aircraft that are
taxiing or maneuvering on the ground.
As well, avoid going behind aircraft
doing a run-up. Avoid taxiing below a
hovering helicopter (the down wash is
significant and hazardous).
Regional Gliding School

During Take-off
Stay up wind of a large airplane. This
action and normal climb should keep you
above the descending vortices of the
preceding airplane. When following an
aircraft that has just landed plan to be
airborne beyond the point of touchdown
of that aircraft. For an intersecting
runway, plan to be airborne before you
cross the intersection.
Regional Gliding School

During Landing
When following a heavier aircraft that
has just taken off, plan to touch down
before the rotation point. When following
an aircraft that has just landed plan to
touch down beyond the point where the
preceding aircraft touched down.
Regional Gliding School

Above All
Avoid a long dragged in approach. The
largest number of dangerous encounters
with wake turbulence has been in the
last half mile of approach.
Regional Gliding School

ATC cannot guarantee that wake
turbulence will not be encountered.
When the ATC advises, “CAUTION
WAKE TURBULENCE”, he is warning
you of the possible existence of
wake turbulence.
Regional Gliding School

It is the sole responsibility of the
pilot in command (PIC). Even though
you have received a clearance to
land or take-off, if you believe it is
safer to wait then ask the controller
to do so.
Regional Gliding School
NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage
Regional Gliding School
Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Let's try a few review questions on Airmanship:
Question #5 -
Regional Gliding School
What are the dangers of vortices during
flight?
A
No Effect
B
Hazardous
C
Little effect
D
None of the above
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Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Let's try a few review questions on Airmanship:
Question #6 -
Regional Gliding School
Who has the responsibility to avoid wake
turbulence?
A
ATC
B
PIC
C
FSS
D
Both A and B
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
Hypoxia
A lack of sufficient oxygen in the
body cells or tissues. The Canadian
Aviation Regulations rule that when
flying, by day, over 10,000 feet to
13,000 feet for more than 30
minutes or above 13,000 feet, you
must carry a supply of oxygen of at
least 2 hours for every crew
member.
Regional Gliding School

Blood Donation
It is recommended
waiting 48 hours
before flying after
blood donation.
Regional Gliding School

Alcohol
The rule for both pilot and
passenger in relation to alcohol
quite simply should be “No
alcohol in the system when you
fly”. Canadian Aviation
Regulation require that a pilot
allow at least 8 hours between
the consumption of alcohol and
flying and 48 hours after
excessive drinking.
Regional Gliding School

Drugs
Do not self-medicate.
Drugs, as well as the
conditions for which they
are taken, can interfere
with the efficiency of the
pilot and can be
extremely dangerous.
Regional Gliding School
NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage
Regional Gliding School
Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Let's try a few review questions on Airmanship:
Question #7 -
Regional Gliding School
How long should you wait to fly after donating
blood?
A
24 hours
B
48 hours
C
72 hours
D
Must see Flight Surgeon
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Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Let's try a few review questions on Airmanship:
Question #8 -
Regional Gliding School
How long must you wait before flying after
drinking socially?
A
48 hours
B
24 hours
C
12 hours
D
8 hours
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Airmanship
Wake Turbulence
Congratulations!!
You have now completed the Airmanship Module of the Flying
Scholarship Program. Of course, this module is always available to
you for future reference if required.
You are now ready to move along to the next module you have not
completed or to any other module you wish. You can advance to the
Self Test Module if you feel ready to challenge the final exam.
Good Luck!
Regional Gliding School