AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/pilot-wake-heavy-clean-slow
Wingtip vortices are strongest when the airplane making them is what?
Heavy, clean, and slow.
- Light, dirty, and fast
- Heavy, clean, and slow ✔
- Heavy, dirty, and fast
Why: Wake turbulence comes from lift. A heavy airplane flying slowly with flaps and gear up (clean) makes the strongest vortices, which is why takeoffs and landings of big jets matter most.
Huh, didn't know that: The AIM warns that a light quartering tailwind requires maximum caution, because it can hold vortices over the runway.
What did the tornado say to the sports car? Want to go for a spin?
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References
Answer: Heavy, clean, and slow. Wake turbulence comes from lift. A heavy airplane flying slowly with flaps and gear up (clean) makes the strongest vortices, which is why takeoffs and landings of big jets matter most.
- AIM 7-4 Wake Turbulence www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap7_section_4.html
the greatest vortex strength occurs when the generating aircraft is HEAVY, CLEAN, and SLOW.
Checked 2026-10-07.
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