FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Practice Exam

What causes wake turbulence?

1. Turbulence that forms in front of an aircraft

2. Turbulence created when an aircraft ascends

3. Turbulence that forms behind an aircraft as it passes through the air

4. Turbulence caused by ground wind interaction

The correct answer is: Turbulence that forms behind an aircraft as it passes through the air

Wake turbulence is generated by the aerodynamic forces acting on an aircraft as it moves through the air. Specifically, it occurs due to the difference in pressure over the wings as the aircraft generates lift. As the aircraft flies, the high-pressure air beneath the wings spills out and wraps around the wingtips, creating a rotating vortex that trails behind the aircraft. This phenomenon is most pronounced during flight maneuvers, particularly during takeoff and landing phases when the aircraft is generating significant lift. These vortices can persist for a considerable distance behind the aircraft and can pose hazards to following aircraft, particularly smaller ones that may be more susceptible to such disturbances. Therefore, understanding wake turbulence is crucial for ensuring safe separation between aircraft during these critical phases of flight. The other options do not accurately describe the nature of wake turbulence; for instance, turbulence in front of an aircraft and turbulence created during ascent don’t encompass the trailing vortices specifically responsible for wake turbulence. Similarly, while ground wind interactions can create turbulence, they are different phenomena unrelated to the vortices generated by flying aircraft.