What is the required separation for a heavy aircraft behind another heavy aircraft?

The required separation for a heavy aircraft behind another heavy aircraft is indeed 4 miles. This specified distance is crucial for maintaining safe air traffic operations and preventing wake turbulence, which can pose significant risks to following aircraft. Heavy aircraft generate stronger wake turbulence due to their size and weight, which can affect the handling of smaller or even similarly sized aircraft flying behind them.

Separation standards are established by aviation authorities to ensure adequate spacing based on the observed effects of wake turbulence. The 4-mile separation helps to mitigate the risks associated with this turbulence, ensuring that the following aircraft can fly safely without experiencing destabilizing effects as a result of the lead aircraft’s wake. Understanding these separation distances is vital for pilots and air traffic controllers to maintain safe operations in busy airspace.