Private Pilot Private Exam

How do wingtip vortices created by large aircraft behave?

1. Remain at the same altitude as the aircraft

2. Rise above the aircraft generating the turbulence

3. Sink below the aircraft generating the turbulence

4. Disperse evenly throughout the air

The correct answer is: Sink below the aircraft generating the turbulence

Wingtip vortices are a byproduct of lift generation in aircraft, particularly prominent in large aircraft. When a large aircraft is in flight, the high-pressure air beneath the wing flows around the wingtip to the low-pressure area above the wing, creating a rotating air mass, or vortex, at each wingtip. These vortices tend to be heavier than the surrounding air due to their descending motion. As a result, they generally sink below the altitude of the aircraft that generated them. This descent behavior means that the vortices can remain in the vicinity of the flight path for some time, posing a significant hazard to smaller aircraft following behind, as they may encounter an area of increased turbulence due to these sinking vortices. Understanding this behavior is critical for pilots, especially when considering takeoff and landing procedures, where the risk of wake turbulence is heightened. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper separation from larger aircraft to avoid the effects of these persistent vortices.