What commercial airplane produces the worst wake turbulence?

Answer 1

Okay, we've seen this question posted before as a "quiz" by someone with obvious less than stellar credentials/sources. The B757-200/300 is NOT the commercial aircraft with the most wake turbulence. As stated in a previous aswer, it is not even a true "heavy" aircraft as classified by FAA standards.

When you speak of "commercial" aircraft, I'm going to go on the premise that you only want an answer of aircraft that are used in passenger travel. This being the case, when the A380-800 enters service, it will be the COMMERCIAL aircraft that produces the worst wake turbulence, due to it's combination of large wing surface area, heavy takeoff weight, and slightly faster speed required for to get it aloft.

If you want the aircraft overall that produces the worst wake turbulence, it will be the AN-225 Mriya (NATO "Cossack"). It's a six engine, (yes, six) Russian cargo aircraft with an MTOW (Maximum TakeOff Weight) that is 571,000lbs more than the U.S C-5B Galaxy. I had the privilege of seeing the Mriya in person about 3 years back, it dwarfs the C-5B Galaxy & the B747-400.

Answer 2

The simple answer is, the more an aircraft weighs, not necessarily how large it is, is proportional to its wake turbulence. A 747 at maximum gross weight will create a much larger wake than that same 747 that is nearly empty. When conducting air refueling, the gross weight of the tanker influences the capability of the receiver to stay behind the tanker. The heavier the tanker, the lighter the receiver must be (at a constant altitude). There are other factors, such as "wing loading" that influence the amount wake turbulence, and the 757 is famous for just this reason.

Answer 3

Heavy and slow will create a worse wake turbulence, in this regard, the A380 just after take-off and during landing approach will create the most potent wake turbulence. ICAO has not yet determined if it will require more separation than other "heavy" aircraft.

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/2437407

The 757-200 was considered dangerous because for it's weight, it falls into the Large aircraft category, but it does leave a "heavy" type wake, it was therefore determined to consider it as a "heavy" (over 255,000 lbs) aircraft for wake separation purposes. Having said that, it is not worse than say a 777.

Answer 4

I'd have to concur with the previous answer the Boeing 757. Common practice has that the 757 has the worst turbulence caused by the wingtip vorticies, but I guess that would depend on what you are looking for as wake turbulence. Are you looking for the most wake turbulence from the engines, or from the wingtip vorticies?

Answer 5

It`s proven that the Boeing 757 is the aircraft that produces the worst wake turbulence, due to its wing and flaps geometry.

Answer 6

Wake turbulence is the product of the aircraft's gross weight and speed.
The A-380 promises to set a record for wake turbulence if-and-when it flies.

Answer 7

When the Airbus A380 comes out it will have the worst wake turbulence

Answer 8

The Boeing 747 series of aircraft have a large wake turbulence signature. I wouldn't want to be caught up in their wake/"dirty air."

Answer 9

The worst that I've encountered would be that of a C130 Cargo plane. With it's four props it leaves a heck of a wake. I would bet that any large propeller driven aircraft would produce a larger wake than their jet counterparts do with wing tip vortex and thrust?

Answer 10

Boeing 757