At what point do wingtip vortices begin and end during an aircraft's flight?

Wingtip vortices are a byproduct of lift generated by an aircraft's wings, and they play a significant role in the study of aircraft wake turbulence. Understanding when these vortices begin and end is crucial for maintaining safe distances between aircraft, particularly during takeoff and landing phases.

The correct response indicates that the vortices start at rotation and end when the nose wheel settles. This is accurate because wingtip vortices are created as soon as the aircraft begins to lift off the ground (at rotation) due to the differential pressure above and below the wings. The vortices continue to exist until the aircraft has landed and the weight of the aircraft is fully supported by the landing gear, at which point the wings are no longer generating lift. Specifically, when the nose wheel settles, it signifies that the aircraft is no longer creating the lift necessary to produce those vortices.

Other options cover phases of flight that do not accurately represent the lifecycle of wingtip vortices. For instance, stating that they start at takeoff and end at touchdown misrepresents the onset, as the vortices actually begin at rotation before the aircraft is fully airborne. The notion that they start during the landing rollout and end when airborne does not capture the correct sequence and physics involved in