Heavy

[SammyG]

Dumb question. When does an Aircraft get "Heavy" attached to its callsign? When it's Gross Weight is such and such, or Empty Weight, or what?

 

[Stby One]

MTOW of more than 136000 kgs

 

[propjob27]

It has nothing to do with the aircraft's actual gross weight.

It is based on the aircraft max certified gross weight.

255,000 lbs Max Gross weight = Heavy call sign.

quote:

"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."

The exception to this is the 757- in the US only, it is considered a "heavy" due to the need for additional separation from other aircraft and its unique wake vorticies.

(edit): You are correct 255, not 250.

 

[L'il J.Seinfeld]

Try 255,000 lbs and that's the FAA definition. ICAO is a bit heavier.

 

[Stby One]

Interesting, I didn't know that the ICAO definition was heavier. 136,000 kgs=300,000 lbs

 

[dojetdriver]

Interesting, I didn't know that the ICAO definition was heavier. 136,000 kgs=300,000 lbs

A long time ago in a galaxy far far way, the FAA used 300,000 as the cutoff as well. Then, all the sudden planes are wrecking because they were getting caught in the wake of 757's. One in particular was a Citation in Montana. So, the FAA lowered it to the 255,000 to provide more seperation behing the 75 due to the fact that it produces the wake turbulence of a larger/heavier aircraft.

 

[aa73]

... but I don't hear 757s using the "Heavy" call sign, so what gives?

 

[SELCAL checks]

guess you've never shared a freq with a 757-300 then.

 

[dojetdriver]

guess you've never shared a freq with a 757-300 then.

My thoughts as well.

 

[ReportCanoa]

AmTran has or had "heavy" 757-200s that were like 256,000lbs.