In recent years, there have been a number of initiatives to review and update the wake turbulence categories defined by ICAO and the corresponding state variations.

IFATCA Policy is:

Any aircraft wake turbulence recategorisation shall:

  • Conduct appropriate safety assessments, including a thorough understanding of the human factor element.
  • Design clear procedures for the application of the new wake turbulence categories.
  • Provide adequate tools to support the controller when applying those procedures.
  • Incorporate contingency procedures for cases where support tools are unavailable and/or the new wake turbulence categories cannot be applied.
  • Ensure that the new system does not have a negative effect on the efficiency of the overall ATM system.

When the prescribed separation is applied, ATCOs shall not be held responsible for wake vortex encounters and related accidents/incidents.
See: Resolution B10 – WP 92 – Toronto 2017, Resolution B7, B8 – WP 89 – Accra 2018

See also: Resolution B2 – WP 90 – Bali 2013

 

 

 

Last Update: 11th August 2022
4th November 2019 873 Jean-Francois LepageATSLegal Matters , Safety Management , Separation & Airspace Safety , TOC , ATS , TPM , Aerodrome Operations , ATM Operations , Flight Operations

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