WAKE TURBULENCE from a heavy aircraft is most dangerous when

Choices

• the heavy aircraft is taking off in the same direction as you.

  Direction matters less than relative position to vortex sink path.

• ✓ you encounter it during landing on the SAME runway just behind a departing or landing heavy.correct

  wake vortices descend at 300-500 ft/min, drift downwind, and can cause loss of control in a small airplane. Wait at least 2-3 minutes for wake to dissipate after a heavy on the same runway. Wake turbulence is worst from heavy aircraft slow, clean, and heavy — i.e., during takeoff rotation, climb-out, approach, and landing. ATC provides wake separation but VFR pilots must self-protect. Same runway: 2-3 minutes minimum wait, more in calm wind. Crossing runway: cross above the heavy's flight path. Land beyond a heavy's touchdown point. Take off before a heavy's rotation point. Climb above the heavy's flight path early.

• the heavy is climbing through your altitude.

  Heavy passing through your altitude is not the worst case.

• the heavy is at cruise altitude far above you.

  At cruise altitude separation is large; not the danger case.