The term "Heavy"

[dorishd]

What does the term "Heavy" indicate when an aircraft is being identified.

[davolijj]

From the Pilot/Controller Glossary:
http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/PCG/index.htm

AIRCRAFT CLASSES- For the purposes of Wake Turbulence Separation Minima, ATC classifies aircraft as Heavy, Large, and Small as follows:

a. Heavy- Aircraft capable of takeoff weights of more than 255,000 pounds whether or not they are operating at this weight during a particular phase of flight.

b. Large- Aircraft of more than 41,000 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight, up to 255,000 pounds.

c. Small- Aircraft of 41,000 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight.

(Refer to AIM.)

[sysconx]

Soon a new term "SUPER" will come in use when Airbus 380 is put up to duty.

[dorishd]

when is the 380 supposed to get off the ground? Have they begun test flights yet?

[tyketto]

Soon a new term "SUPER" will come in use when Airbus 380 is put up to duty.

I believe the 'super' designation was because the FAA had nothing to classify the A380 as because of the lack of knowhing how much separation would be needed between it and other aircrafts. It was mentioned in one of the Orders or NOTAMs (which one escapes me at the moment).

when is the 380 supposed to get off the ground? Have they begun test flights yet?

They've been doing test flights for almost a year, with a number of them going around the world, the 2 flights to the US, the few to the frozen white north, etc. I believe the first scheduled flight is supposed to be either late this year or early next year.

BL.

[RobertK]

I believe the 'super' designation was because the FAA had nothing to classify the A380 as because of the lack of knowhing how much separation would be needed between it and other aircrafts. It was mentioned in one of the Orders or NOTAMs (which one escapes me at the moment).

"Super" doesn't come from the FAA, it comes from ICAO and is also used in Europe.
The accompanying letter is "J" (similar to "H" for "Heavy", "M" for "Medium" etc - to be inserted into the flight plan).

Regards,

Robert

[ORD Don]

 

     I've heard UPS DC-8's flying into ORD identify themselves as "heavy". Are they big enough to warrant
   
     that designation ?

[davolijj]

All DC-8s are classified as heavy:

                               Number & Type     Climb  Descent   SRS
                         Engines/Weight Class   Rate    Rate       Cat.

DC-8-50, Jet Trader         DC85   4J/H     4,000   4,000       III
 
DC-8-60                         DC86   4J/H     4,000   4,000       III
 
DC-8-70                         DC87   4J/H     5,000   4,000       III
 
DC-8 Stage 3 (US Only)    DC8Q   4J/H     4,000   4,000       III
   
 

[bri2k1]

I believe all 757s are classified as "heavy" for wake turbulence avoidance even though max takeoff weight of the 757-200 basic model is just under the 225,000lb cutoff.  I think it has to do with high wing loading causing  larger wake vortices than some other similarly-sized aircraft.

[ORD Don]

    Thanks for the info, guys...   D.W.

[tyketto]

I believe all 757s are classified as "heavy" for wake turbulence avoidance even though max takeoff weight of the 757-200 basic model is just under the 225,000lb cutoff.  I think it has to do with high wing loading causing  larger wake vortices than some other similarly-sized aircraft.

The B757-200 is exactly at 255,000lb for MTOW. The B753 exceeds that, so would be classified as Heavy regardless.

However, the only airline I know of who explicitly requested to have their B752s configured to exceed that limit is ATA. So their B752s always have Heavy in their callsign. The rest (outside the B753) don't, but will be given the same separation standards as other heavy aircraft.

BL.