Wake RECAT

RobertB said:
Any of you guys (pilots or controllers) have any experience with the new (starting June 1st here) wake turbulence separation? It has been in effect at MEM, SDF, and CVG so far... Here are some links giving you basic background for anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about.
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avia...afety/safo/all_safos/media/2012/SAFO12007.pdf
http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=70804
http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sites/volpe.dot.gov/files/docs/Wake_Turbulence_Infographic_508.pdf
https://fdx.alpa.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=cTuAys1J2eg=&tabid=4536
Click to expand...


Been working with RECAT for a few weeks now. It has helped reduce delays somewhat, because of the reduced separation, but I will admit that as an old dog, it is hard to learn a new trick. The old required wake turbulence separation minima was so ingrained in my brain, that I've had a hard time adjusting. To me, there's something that feels very unnatural and uncomfortable about running just 2.5 miles behind a B757. I imagine I'll get used to it with time, but I'm still carrying around one of those small cue cards with the new minima requirements.
 
I've had a good amount of experience with it so far in CVG, and from a pilot's perspective, it's really keeping the flow moving during the outbound sort. We certainly do feel the wake in a 767 behind another departing 767, but it's nothing more than a few bumps. Thumbs up from me.
 
This reply is late enough to be useless, I suspect. I'm at SDF, we were the first facility to utilize wake recat. By now, you've probably seen that the pilots get a little squirrely with reduced separation. Had a few interesting conversations on frequency with SWA pilots trying to explain they're (sort of) heavy now.

UPS likes it....they're saving millions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top