Quick Checklist
Before opening the position
- I know the class of each part of my airspace and whom I must separate from whom
- I know whether I have ATS surveillance throughout my airspace, or whether there are parts where only procedural separation applies
- I have read in the aerodrome or TMA MOP whether there are local minima, such as departure and arrival points or reduced runway minima
- In the tower: I know the distance between parallel runways, if any. Under 760 m, they count as the same runway for wake turbulence
Before each level clearance
- Is the level free? If another aircraft occupied it, has it already reported vacating the level?
- Is there severe turbulence, a cruise climb or a large difference in performance? Then I wait for it to reach the new level
- FL 290 to FL 410: are both aircraft RVSM (
Win the flight plan)? If either is not, it is 2,000 ft - Will the climb or descent cross another aircraft's level? Do I have horizontal separation throughout the crossing?
Before each take-off or landing
- Is the runway clear, or will it be when the aircraft starts its take-off or crosses the threshold?
- Is the preceding aircraft in a heavier category? Have I counted the wake time?
- Is it an intersection departure? Then it is 1 more minute of wake time
- Am I issuing a conditional clearance? Can the pilot and I both see the aircraft causing the condition?
Pocket minima
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Vertical below FL 290, and between RVSM aircraft up to FL 410 | 1,000 ft |
| Vertical with a non-RVSM aircraft from FL 290 to FL 410, and above FL 410 | 2,000 ft |
| Horizontal with ATS surveillance | 5 NM (10 NM only with en-route radar in the TMA) |
| Departures on routes diverging 45° or more | 1 min |
| Departures on the same route, preceding aircraft 40 kt faster | 2 min |
| Departure climbing through another's level on the same route | 5 min |
| Same route and level, without surveillance | 15 min, or 20 NM DME/GNSS |
Pocket wake turbulence
| Preceding → following | With surveillance | Landing | Departure (intersection) |
|---|---|---|---|
J → H | 6 NM | 2 min | 2 min (3) |
J → M | 7 NM | 3 min | 3 min (4) |
J → L | 8 NM | 4 min | 3 min (4) |
H → H | 4 NM | — | — |
H → M | 5 NM | 2 min | 2 min (3) |
H → L | 6 NM | 3 min | 2 min (3) |
M → L | 5 NM | 3 min | 2 min (3) |
The larger of the wake minimum and the normal minimum always applies. With surveillance, wake turbulence only applies if the following aircraft is at the same altitude or up to 1,000 ft below the preceding aircraft's track, or if both use the same runway.
When wake separation is not required
- VFR landing behind a heavier aircraft: I gave the wake turbulence caution
- IFR on a visual approach, with the preceding aircraft in sight and instructed to maintain own separation: I gave the wake turbulence caution