Consideration of wake turbulence during the integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft into the air traffic management system

The last decade has witnessed both the growth in Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) numbers and the introduction of the Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft to enter commercial service. Both introduce extremes at either end of the spectrum for weight and wingspan: into an Air Traffic Management (ATM) System where wake vortex separation minima have been unchanged for three decades. However, airport congestion may compel a rethink, and the mandated separation distances in place for wake turbulence are under scrutiny. Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) will inject yet another permutation into deliberations for separation standards and wake turbulence considerations. However, aside from complicating the space, RPA offer a means to reduce the mandated gaps, and subsequently alleviate capacity issues. This paper examines wake turbulence and its effects and proposes trials to reinforce reductions or expansions of present and future separation minima.