Recategorization of ICAO Wake Turbulence Standards RECAT Phase I
Overview Joint FAA/EUROCONTROL Project Three year study (25 meetings) RECAT Team Comprised of worldwide wake turbulence and aviation experts Used the knowledge of wake turbulence physics to define wake turbulence separations and improve the basis of aircraft categorization compared to the ICAO weight-based system applied today FAA Operational Evaluation in MEM late 2012
What is RECAT? RECAT is a recategorization of wake turbulence separation minima from the current FAA standard to a new standard Would apply to departure and approach separation RECAT is as safe, or safer, than today s separation minima RECAT will increase airport capacity by reducing current wake turbulence separation for certain aircraft types RECAT will also increase wake turbulence separation for certain aircraft types
Why RECAT? The FAA, weight only, categorization of aircraft and associated separation minima are outdated Current categories have become too broad Weight is only one factor Knowledge of wake vortex behavior in the operational environment has increased RECAT applies this knowledge: Wake strength (wind loading, wing span, weight, approach speed) Induced rolling moment coefficient Bank angle Wake Mitigation is an important component of many NextGen initiatives
RECAT Safety Approach The safety approach used by the RECAT team is to ensure risk per arrival and departure operation after RECAT : Is no greater than currently experienced Is reduced as far as reasonably ypracticable Circulation is the primary metric Circulation for an aircraft in trail does not exceed circulation under today s separation standards
Today s Weight (Wake) Categories FAA Wake Categories 6 categories A380 Heavy B757 Large Small + Small RS1
Slide 6 RS1 From a pilot standpoint, what is the separation difference here. AC 90-23 and the AIM do not differentiate between small and small+ Roger Sultan, 2/16/2012
RECAT Aircraft Categorization A B C D E F A380 B744 MD11 B753 DH8C E120 AN-225 A346 B763 B752 AT72 B190 B773 A306 B739 RJ100 C650 B772 B738 RJ85 H25B A343 B737 B463 C525 A333 B736 B462 A332 A319 E170 A318 DH8B A321 DH8A A320 CRJ9 B722 AT45 MD83 AT43 MD82 GLF4 F50 CRJ7 B734 SF34 B733 CRJ2 B735 CRJ1 E190 E45X B717 E145 MRS GLF5 E135 DC95 DC93 DH8D F100 Selected aircraft listed here, plus all 1200+ ICAO registered aircraft (9000+ aircraft names) were successfully assigned to these 6 categories
RECAT Separation Matrix Changes Relative to US Leader RECAT Separation Matrix Follower A B C D E F A MRS 5.0 6.0 7.0 7.0 8.0 B MRS 3.0 4.0 5.0 5.0 7.0 C MRS MRS MRS 3.5 3.5 6.0 D MRS MRS MRS MRS MRS 5.0 E MRS MRS MRS MRS MRS 4.0 F MRS MRS MRS MRS MRS MRS MRS Separation was increased for some or all aircraft pairs Separation was decreased for some or all aircraft pairs Separation remained the same for some or all aircraft pairs Minimum Radar Separation (3NM, or 2.5 NM when existing requirements are met)
FAA In Trail Wake Turbulence Separations Heavy to Heavy Leading aircraft Trailing aircraft B747 B767 This is Safe B767 4 NM Separation B747 This is Overly Conservative. A result of the Breadth of the Heavy Category
FAA In Trail Wake Turbulence Separations Leading aircraft Upper Heavy to Lower Heavy 4 NM 4 NM Separation Trailing aircraft B747 B767 This is Safe Lower Heavy to Upper Heavy 2.5 NM 2.5 NM Separation B767 B747 B747 This is Equally Safe
What does RECAT mean to FedEx Flight Operations?
FedEx Fleet 777 Category B Category C MD11/10 Airbus 757 727 Category D
Leading Aircraft Trailing Aircraft 777 777 3 Miles Separation 4 Miles Separation RECAT Current MD11/10 Airbus 4 Miles Separation No Change from current standards 757 727 5 Miles Separation No Change from current standards
Leading Aircraft Trailing Aircraft MD11/10 Airbus 3 Miles Separation 777 MD11/10 Airbus 4 Miles Separation RECAT Current 3.5 Miles Separation 757 727 5 MilesSeparation RECAT Current
Leading Aircraft 757 Trailing Aircraft 777 MD11/10 Airbus 757 727 3 Miles Separation 4 Miles Separation RECAT Current
Leading Aircraft 727 Trailing Aircraft 777 MD11/10 Airbus 757 727 3 Miles Separation No Change from current standards
Pilot Specifics Safety First Fly a Stable Approach Category B/Caircraft Pilotsshould should fly the glideslope, the trailing aircraft may be adjusting above your glidepath ASAPs if encountering wake When in doubt go around Speed assignments are critical for ATC to provide proper separation Minimize runway occupancy
Benefits of RECAT More efficient arrivals and departures Reduced fuel burn Reduced time in terminal airspace Lower noise Increased d capacity Mitigation of weather or sort delays Better schedule reliability Less opportunity for fatigue issues due to schedule disruptions 18
SUMMARY RECAT uses the knowledge of wake turbulence physics to improve aircraft wake categorization compared to the ICAO weight-based system applied today For FedEx fleet mix, most pairs will see approximately a 1 mile reduction in separation Fly y a stable approach at ATC assigned speeds Minimize runway occupancy When in doubt, go around 19
QUESTIONS? 20