What are the three types of wake turbulence?

Wake turbulence categories
  • Light (L) — aircraft types of 7,000 kg or less.
  • Medium (M) — aircraft types more than 7,000 kg but less than 136,000 kg; and.
  • Heavy (H) — all aircraft types of 136 000 kg or more, with the exception of aircraft types in Super (J) category; and.




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Since the turbulence from a “dirty” aircraft configuration hastens wake decay, the greatest vortex strength occurs when the generating aircraft is HEAVY, CLEAN, and SLOW. In rare instances, a wake encounter could cause catastrophic inflight structural damage to an aircraft.

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Depending on the size of the helicopter, significant wake turbulence can be generated. Helicopter wakes may be of significantly greater strength than those from fixed-wing aircraft of similar weight. The strongest wake turbulence can occur when the helicopter is operating at lower speeds (20 to 50 knots).

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Classifications also correspond closer to the airman certificate categories than they do the aircraft categories.
  • Airplane – Single-engine land or sea or multi-engine land or sea.
  • Rotorcraft – helicopter or gyroplane.
  • Lighter-Than-Air – balloons or airships.
  • Powered Parachutes – land or sea.


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This trail is called the wake. Airplanes also leave a trail or a wake behind them as they pass through the air. This wake is generated by something called wing tip vortices. An aircraft that encounters the tip vortices of another aircraft can experience something called wake turbulence.

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However, the vortex strength from an aircraft increases proportionately to an increase in operating weight or a decrease in aircraft speed. Since the turbulence from a “dirty” aircraft configuration hastens wake decay, the greatest vortex strength occurs when the generating aircraft is HEAVY, CLEAN, and SLOW.

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On Monday 3 March 1997 at 1014 hours, privately owned and operated Cessna 185 encountered wake turbulence from previous departing aircraft, the pilot lost control of the aircraft at a height from which recovery was not possible and the aircraft descended to the ground.

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Wake turbulence from a large enough aircraft will cause the one following to flip and possibly crash into the ground.

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The medium Airliner Jets, like the Boeing 737 and the Airbus 320, normally fall into Category C. Aircraft Approach Category D is for Large Arline Jets and Military Aircrafts.

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Which Plane Handles Turbulence Best? The bigger the plane, the better! Any plane can experience turbulence, but larger planes weigh more and don't feel the impact of wind changes as much as a smaller plane. Specifically, the Airbus A380 handles turbulence very well!

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The best plane for turbulence: Boeing 787-9 This plane boasts on of the largest wing loading in commercial planes: 670 kg/m2. For comparison, the wings can take 60% per square meter than those of an Embraer ERJ-145. Just by this value, you can expect a smoother ride on the 787.

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Which Plane Handles Turbulence Best? The bigger the plane, the better! Any plane can experience turbulence, but larger planes weigh more and don't feel the impact of wind changes as much as a smaller plane. Specifically, the Airbus A380 handles turbulence very well!

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