Heavy (aeronautics)

The term Heavy is applied to all radio transmissions with air traffic control from aircraft capable of takeoff weights of 300,000 pounds or more. Aircraft capable of takeoff weights more than 41,000 pounds and less than 300,000 pounds are considered Large.[1]

Such "heavy" aircraft over 300,000 pounds create wake turbulence from the wings. The term is mostly used around airports during take off and landing, incorporated into their call sign so as to warn other aircraft that they need extra distance to avoid this wake turbulence. All wide-body aircraft, except for the Airbus A300B1 (MTOW of 291,000 pounds, only 2 built and retired in 1990) and the Airbus A380 and Antonov An-225 (which are classified in the even larger category of super), are thus classified as heavy. Certain variants of the narrow-bodied Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8 also were considered "heavy" based on MTOW.

Of special note here is the narrow-bodied Boeing 757. Under current guidance, the 757 is considered Large, as it has a maximum MTOW of 255,000 pounds. After a number of accidents where smaller aircraft following closely behind a 757 crashed, however, the rules were changed so that controllers are required to apply the special wake turbulence separation criteria specified in paragraph 5-5-4 in the FAA guidelines for aircraft separation, as though the 757 were a heavy.[1][2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 FAA Notice N JO 7110.525
  2. ↑ "Concept to Reality – Wake-Vortex Hazard". National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2011.

External links