What is the required distance a Boeing 737 must maintain behind a Boeing 747 during approach due to wake turbulence?

The required distance a Boeing 737 must maintain behind a Boeing 747 during approach due to wake turbulence is 5 miles. This distance is crucial for ensuring safety, as the wake turbulence generated by the larger aircraft can pose a serious risk to smaller aircraft during critical phases of flight, like landing.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other aviation authorities have established specific separation distances to mitigate the risks associated with wake turbulence, which can cause loss of control if an aircraft encounters the vortices generated by a larger airplane. The Boeing 747, being a large aircraft, creates significant wake turbulence, and the distance required for a smaller aircraft like the Boeing 737 reflects an understanding of the time it takes for those vortices to dissipate and for the smaller aircraft to pass through the wake safely.

Maintaining this 5-mile separation helps to ensure that the smaller aircraft avoids the turbulence effects that can affect its flight stability.