Vortices from heavy aircraft may be extremely hazardous to which of the following?

• A. Large aircraft
• B. Military jets only
• C. Heliums balloons
• D. Small aircraft

Answer: (D)

Wake turbulence from a heavy airplane creates strong wingtip vortices that trail behind and sink into the flight path of following aircraft. The danger is greatest for small aircraft because they have less momentum and fly more slowly, so the swirling air can toss, roll, or yaw them more easily and make it hard to maintain control. This is especially risky during takeoff and landing when following aircraft are likely to be directly in the wake of the heavier airplane. Large aircraft and military jets can experience wake as well, but the relative vulnerability is highest for smaller, lighter aircraft. Helium balloons aren’t part of controlled flight and aren’t the focus of this wake-turbulence hazard.