Airservices is a government-owned corporation providing safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible services to the aviation industry. We manage air traffic operations for around 75 million passengers on more than three million flights every year.

Wake turbulence

Wake turbulence is a natural, unavoidable consequence of aircraft operations as a by-product of lift creation. It commences at take off and continues until touchdown. The wake consists of two counter-rotating cylindrical vortices, the strength of which is governed by the weight, speed and wing shape of the aircraft.

The intensity of the wake is also affected by prevailing weather conditions. In still conditions, the spirals sink towards the ground and degrade slowly, whereas in windy conditions they generally degrade quite quickly.

Occasionally, when the weather is calm, wake turbulence has been known to cause damage (such as dislodged roof tiles) to property on the ground. However this is a rare occurrence.

For further information or to make an enquiry about specific wake turbulence incidents contact the Noise Complaints and Information Service .

Technical Resources

Federal Aviation Administration (US) Advisory Circular on Aircraft Wake Turbulence