Wake turbulence advisory behind a larger aircraft requiring wake separation should be issued to which aircraft?

• A. IFR aircraft on final approach
• B. All aircraft behind a larger aircraft
• C. VFR aircraft not radar vectored behind the larger aircraft
• D. Any aircraft behind the larger aircraft

Answer: (C)

Wake turbulence is a hazard that can affect following aircraft, especially those not under constant radar guidance. The advisory is intended for pilots who aren’t being vectored by ATC on radar and therefore don’t have a defined separation can reliably rely on ATC control alone. IFR flights on final approach or aircraft already being radar vectored are typically managed with ATC-provided separation, so a separate wake turbulence advisory isn’t necessary for them. Issuing the advisory to all behind a larger aircraft would be too broad and could lead to unnecessary caution for pilots who are already adequately protected by ATC sequencing. Therefore, the advisory is aimed at VFR aircraft not radar vectored behind the larger aircraft.