Separation of small aircraft traveling behind a Boeing 757 will increase from four to five nautical miles. Some 57 types of aircraft, including several business jets and some smaller commercial aircraft, will be moved from the large to small aircraft category.
Wake vortices are tornado-like disturbances created as an aircraft passes through the atmosphere.
The new standards will retain these categories, but will increase the separation for small aircraft trailing the Boeing 757. I am confident that the new wake vortex separation standards will improve aviation safety and move the aviation community closer to our shared goal of zero accidents. In May 1994, the FAA increased the separation between Boeing 757 and other aircraft from three to four nautical miles. Also that year, the FAA worked with industry to produce a wake vortex training aid and videotape that was distributed to the pilot community. Small Less than 12,500 lbs.