Date: 201709
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: EWR.Airport, NJ
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class B NYC
ATC / advisory: Tower EWR
Second aircraft: Airbus 318/319/320/321 Undifferentiated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: I was pilot flying. We had an Airbus in front of us; not designated as heavy but to me it looked bigger than an A319. The Airbus was cleared for takeoff and we took the runway to line up and wait. Upon rotation of the Airbus we were cleared for takeoff. I asked the Captain if he was ready; then intentionally paused a moment before smoothly advancing the thrust levers. The Airbus in front of us looked to be starting their turn for the EWR2 off 22R/W by the time we started our roll. Approximately 300 AGL the flight controls felt a tad less effective. In the turn to heading 190; we encountered some light turbulence and the Captain said he thought it was wake from the aircraft in front of us. Tower instructed us to contact Departure at this point. A moment later the intensity of the turbulence turned to moderate in our right turn to heading 220 and climb to 2500 ft predeparture clearance. The Captain asked for a different heading and informed ATC we were encountering wake. Tower instructed us to continue on heading 220 and contact Departure. The Captain switched to Departure and informed them we needed a turn because of wake turbulence. We were instructed to turn right and climb. I believe it was a right turn to 360 or 040 and a climb to 6000 ft. Upon making the turn we left the wake. A few moments later the Captain checked on the flight attendant to make sure she and the cabin had no problems. The Flight attendant reported no abnormalities and the flight continued without incident.Night time made it hard for us to visually determine the amount of horizontal and vertical separation from the previous traffic.


Second narrative: Initial climb after takeoff from runway 22R in EWR. Encountered wake turbulence from aircraft that departed in front of us; an A320 I believe. FO as PF handled aircraft very well in order to keep it under control; moderate chop and roll moments were encountered. Aircraft never banked more than 5 degrees. I reported wake turbulence to ATC; they told us to contact Departure. I repeated report of wake turbulence and ATC gave us instruction of 'fly present heading'. After wake turbulence ceased we reconfigured aircraft for climb and performed after takeoff check. Flight continued without further incident.Threats were a night time departure and busy conditions at EWR leading me to accept takeoff clearance without inquiring about separation. Additional threat was ATC being too busy to wait any longer to issue takeoff clearance; also too busy to not deal with our report initially.I can ask ATC about separation from aircraft we're following instead of just accepting takeoff clearance; allowing them to check their info and also giving us more time for threat to dissipate.


Synopsis: EMB-145 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence departing EWR in trail of an A321/A320/A319 undifferentiated series aircraft.