Page 121 - Planning and Design of Airports

90 Airp o r t Pl anning

FIGURE 2-10 An illustration of wake turbulence.

FAA Wake Turbulence ICAO Wake Turbulence
Classifications by Aircraft Classifications by Aircraft
Weight (MSTOW) Weight (MSTOM)
Category Weight Category Weight
Small ≤41,000 lb Light ≤7,000 kg
Large 41,000–255,000 lb Medium 7,000–136,000 kg
Heavy >255,000 lb Heavy >136,000 kg

TABLE 2-8 FAA and ICAO Wake Turbulence Classification

For airport planning and design, as well as air traffic safety pur-
poses, aircraft have been categorized into wake-turbulence classifica-
tions, based primarily their maximum structural takeoff weights, as
illustrated in Table 2-8. Operating aircraft of varying wake-turbulence
classifications in the same vicinity has significant effects on the safe
and efficient operation of an airfield.

References
1. Aerodrome Design Manual, Part 1: Runways, 2d ed., Document 9157-AN/901,
International Civil Aviation Organization, Montreal, Canada, 1984.
2. Airbus Industrie A300 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, A.AC E00A,
Airbus Industrie, Biagnac, France, October 1987.
3. Airbus Industrie A300-600 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D.AC
E00A, Airbus Industrie, Biagnac, France, October 1990.
4. Airbus Industrie A310 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, B.AC E00A,
Airbus Industrie, Biagnac, France, December 1991.
5. Airbus Industrie A320 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, Airbus
Industrie, Biagnac, France, February 1988.
6. Airbus Industrie A340 Airplane Characteristics Airport Planning, Preliminary,
Airbus Industrie, Biagnac, France, July 1991.