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daveatc · August 20th, 2006, 20:13

It depends on where you're talking about. EnRoute standards are different than terminal are different than non-radar, etc, etc. The rule of thumb is to apply minimum wake turbulence separation, issue a cautionary and let it flow from there.

However, I misspoke a bit earlier. Need to learn how to read the full question! You cannot tell an aircraft to maintain visual separation following a B757 or a Heavy. However, you can clear them for a visual approach to follow a B757 or a Heavy as long as the required wake turbulence separation is maintained. You can never go wrong with 6 miles in trail, which is the highest minimum separation. This is probably one of the biggest gray areas in ATC. It is very difficult to enforce in a tower environment, even with STARS or a DBRITE, especially if you go with 3 minutes rather than 6 miles. It's all academic really, but most controllers I know go with 6 miles in trail.

August 20th, 2006, 20:13	#9
daveatc Former ATC Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 87	Re: Visual Approach Following Traffic It depends on where you're talking about. EnRoute standards are different than terminal are different than non-radar, etc, etc. The rule of thumb is to apply minimum wake turbulence separation, issue a cautionary and let it flow from there. However, I misspoke a bit earlier. Need to learn how to read the full question! You cannot tell an aircraft to maintain visual separation following a B757 or a Heavy. However, you can clear them for a visual approach to follow a B757 or a Heavy as long as the required wake turbulence separation is maintained. You can never go wrong with 6 miles in trail, which is the highest minimum separation. This is probably one of the biggest gray areas in ATC. It is very difficult to enforce in a tower environment, even with STARS or a DBRITE, especially if you go with 3 minutes rather than 6 miles. It's all academic really, but most controllers I know go with 6 miles in trail.