Private Pilot Private Exam

How do wake turbulence vortices circulate around each wingtip?

1. Inward and downward

2. Outward, upward, and around each tip

3. Only downward

4. Only outward

The correct answer is: Outward, upward, and around each tip

Wake turbulence vortices circulate around each wingtip in a manner that involves an outward, upward, and around motion. This phenomenon is a result of the pressure difference created by the wings as the aircraft moves through the air. When an aircraft generates lift, the air pressure is lower above the wing and higher below it. This difference in pressure causes air to flow from below the wings and roll off around the wingtips. The circulation of the vortices is a complex interaction where the air moves outward from the tips (due to the high-pressure area) while also moving upward (due to the low-pressure area) as it seeks to equalize the pressure difference. Understanding the behavior of these vortices is crucial for pilots, as they can pose significant hazards to smaller aircraft following behind larger ones. The wake turbulence can have a strong influence on the handling characteristics of an aircraft which is especially important during takeoff and landing phases. Recognizing this circulation pattern helps pilots maintain safe distances from larger aircraft to avoid the potentially destabilizing effects of wake turbulence.