Wake vortex control - a challenge for large transport aircraft

One of the most promising routes to increase capacity at over-crowded European airports is to reduce the separation distances between aircraft on landing and take-off, or vertical separations in densely flown en-route sectors. Separations are necessary to avoid the risk of encountering a wake from a preceding aircraft - and hence are vital for flight safety. This is becoming even more critical with the advent of very-large transport aircraft. This article explains the characterisation of wave vortices, and explores the European Projects looking at the problem.