For a medium aircraft behind a heavy aircraft, what is the required separation distance?

The required separation distance for a medium aircraft following a heavy aircraft is 5 miles. This separation is crucial to account for the wake turbulence generated by the heavy aircraft, which can pose a risk to smaller aircraft that are following closely behind. The 5-mile separation allows sufficient time and space for any wake turbulence to dissipate, ensuring the safety and stability of the medium aircraft as it approaches the landing or takeoff phase in the flight operation.

In air traffic procedures, the size and weight category of the leading aircraft significantly influence wake turbulence separation standards. Medium aircraft are considered to have a greater susceptibility to wake turbulence than larger aircraft but lesser than smaller ones, necessitating this careful separation to promote safe operations.