When can an aircraft depart behind a departing Category B on a separate runway with a distance of 2500 feet?

• A. Immediately
• B. 1 minute after
• C. 2 minutes after
• D. 3 minutes after

Answer: (C)

When considering the separation standards for aircraft departures, the appropriate time interval ensures safety and mitigates wake turbulence effects. For an aircraft departing behind a Category B aircraft, which is classified as a small jet, a separation of 2 minutes is typically required when using parallel runways that are spaced 2,500 feet apart. This time frame allows for the dissipating of wake turbulence generated by the preceding departure.

The use of 2 minutes also considers the differences in aircraft performance and the wake turbulence generated by larger aircraft. Adhering to this standard significantly reduces the risk of wake turbulence encounters for the following aircraft, allowing for safer and more efficient departures.

In summary, the correct answer emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe operating distance behind a departing Category B aircraft, reflecting adherence to established safety protocols in air traffic management.