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.

 

[aa73]

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

OK, my bad... so what should really be said is, most 757-200s are below the 255,000lb MTOW.... and all 757-300s are above it. Correctomundo?

 

[UpNDownGuy]

Strangely enough, it's the operator's choice whether a 757 is a "heavy" on the radio or not. Especially odd, considering the reason for the weight class change, but that's the FAA for you. I've worked for companies that called 757's heavy, and those that did not. As far as I know, the 757 is the only exception granted to the rule.

 

[propjob27]

OK, my bad... so what should really be said is, most 757-200s are below the 255,000lb MTOW....

I've flown 757-200s for two airlines, and both had MTOWs of 255.0 or 255.5 (depending on depature field pressue altitude). Both airlines used the 'heavy' call sign in the terminal area. Again, it doesn't matter what your A/C actually weighs in at, it's simply based on the max certified MTOW.

(edit: these are both US airlines that use the FAA 255.0 heavy cutoff, not the ICAO 300.0 cutoff)

 

[wmuflyguy]

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

Eh, but unless it is on ground freq and I know that the airplane sitting next to me is the one that istalking, I rarely even know what aircraft the guy is flying that is yapping on the radio.

 

[Victor120]

Sa

Eh, but unless it is on ground freq and I know that the airplane sitting next to me is the one that istalking, I rarely even know what aircraft the guy is flying that is yapping on the radio.

Man sometimes I feel the pride and appreciation of SA is gone. Unless that quote was sarcasm. Then I feel my pride and appreciation of sarcasm is gone. Did I cover my bases?

-VIC

 

[wmuflyguy]

Man sometimes I feel the pride and appreciation of SA is gone. Unless that quote was sarcasm. Then I feel my pride and appreciation of sarcasm is gone. Did I cover my bases?

-VIC

No Sarcasm, but maybe you kinda didn't get the intended point

If I check on frequency and I hear "Delta 122 Heavy...." I do not know what type of plane it is, all i know that it is a heavy. It could be a 777, 767, 757(provided ATC hasn't told you). This is assuming you can't see the plane, I guess if you can see it, you can reasonable be able to figure out what type it is.

This was directed at the comment "guess you've never shared a freq with a 757-300 then."