Enhanced wake separation standards
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) established the new international wake separation standards, moving from four categories to seven groups. Rather than categorizing aircraft by weight, Enhanced Wake Separation is based on the wake characteristics of the lead aircraft and the resistance to wake of the following aircraft.
The Enhanced Wake Separation groups depend primarily on the aircraft’s maximum certified take-off weight, wing characteristics and speed.
It’s important to note that the enhanced wake separation standards were developed to be as safe as, or safer than the legacy separation standards. While this new recategorization does introduce smaller separation standards in some cases, it also increases separation for the smallest, most vulnerable aircraft.