AO-0326 — Optimisation of Separation Minima on Approach and Departure thanks to European Wake Turbulence Categorisation (RECAT EU)

Optimisation of the ICAO wake turbulence separation classes by the specification of six wake turbulence categories and of associated static longitudinal wake turbulence separation minima on arrivals and departures, applicable in all operating conditions. The RECAT-EU scheme splits ICAO HEAVY and MEDIUM categories into 'Upper' ('Larger') and 'Lower' ('Smaller'). This split has been based on aircraft type characteristics. This allows reduction of separation minima for some frequent aircraft pairs, enabling runway throughput increase compared to ICAO scheme, whilst maintaining acceptable levels of safety.