LiveATC Discussion Forums
Air Traffic Monitoring => Listener Forum => Topic started by: kay on December 28, 2005, 11:28:55 PM
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When the crew call flight number and then "heavy", what does that mean?
I think this is a basic question but this is new to me. Thanks for any answers.
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When the crew call flight number and then "heavy", what does that mean?
I think this is a basic question but this is new to me. Thanks for any answers.
Hi kay,
Welcome to LiveATC.net! This thread/topic has been discussed before, so next time please use the "search" function of this forum.
"Heavy" refers/indicates that the 'heavy' aircraft weighs more than 255,000 lbs.
Cited from the Pilot/Controller Glossery found in the AIM:
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.)
Jason
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Thank you for that Jason.
Kay
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i found this interesting from my ATC buddies at KBUF...the 757 is considered a "heavy" aircraft because of the wake turbulence it creates behind it as well as the amount of thrust created from the engines. The 757-200 series does not have the heavy call sign attached to it, but the 757-300 series does (example: NWA 753's attach "heavy" to its call signs)...interesting
if im wrong with any of this feel free to correct me!
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i found this interesting from my ATC buddies at KBUF...the 757 is considered a "heavy" aircraft because of the wake turbulence it creates behind it as well as the amount of thrust created from the engines. The 757-200 series does not have the heavy call sign attached to it, but the 757-300 series does (example: NWA 753's attach "heavy" to its call signs)...interesting
if im wrong with any of this feel free to correct me!
you're right, to an extent.
The B752 is at/near 255,000lbs, and is capable of producing the turbulence as the rest of the heavies do. the 753 exceeds that limit, which is why it is heavy. so every B753 will be designated heavy (NWA, COA, and ATA fly these in the US; Condor (Now Thomas Cook), and DLH fly them in Europe). Also, with the B752, ATA explicitly requested that Boeing make thm some B752s that exceed that weight limit, so all of their B752s are Heavy.
BL.
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why would ATA want the aircraft to be made heavy?
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ATA's 752's are heavier. I believe Boeing added cargo/pax capacity to ATA;s 752's by adding a small inserted section. Therefore exceeding that 255,000 lbs. As Brad said, a 752's MTOW is exactly at 255,000 lbs. So they can't designate a 752 as a heavy. If it was 255,001 lbs, then yes. But not in the case of a standard configuration of a 752. If you search Heavy, or 255,000 lbs. You'll see this has been discussed about 5 times in rather lengthy threads.