what does it mean when a pilot says "heavy" to air traffic control when being vectored in for a landing?

Answer 1

Heavy just means its a wide body aircraft. Even on the ground they use HEAVY when getting moved around by ground control. It just lets them know( ground/air control) that they need more room to maneuver. It also ensures no small aircraft get placed behind them during taxiing that might get sent on a premature flight.

Answer 2

Taken from Appendix A of the FAAO 7110.65R "Air Traffic Control"

"AIRCRAFT WEIGHT CLASSES

a. Heavy. Aircraft capable of takeoff weights of more than 255,000 pounds whether or not they are operating at this weight during a particular phase of flight.

b. Large. Aircraft of more than 41,000 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight, up to 255,000 pounds.

c. Small. Aircraft of 41,000 pounds or less maximum certificated takeoff weight."

Any aircraft that is classified as a heavy in this manual must use the word heavy when communicating with air traffic control on or near the airport, with the exception of the Boeing 757, which also must use "heavy". The use of the word "heavy" may be ommitted when an aircraft is operating within the en route envirnoment, aka "center".

Answer 3

it means Roseanne Barr is on the Plane. but seriously
Question: What does "heavy" mean when it is used after the flight call sign? As in "United Airlines Flt. 107 HEAVY"?


Answer: The term "heavy" alerts air traffic controllers to provide extra spacing behind very large aircraft like the DC-10, B-777, B-747, etc. These "heavy" aircraft generate significant "wake turbulence," which is defined by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) as "the effect of two rotating air masses generated behind the wingtips of aircraft."

Every aircraft, once no longer in contact with the ground and when producing lift, generates these "wingtip vortices," swirling air masses trailing the aircraft which may cause some bumps (and on rare occasions, more severe control problems) to aircraft following behind too closely.

Wake turbulence generally dissipates quickly, so the controllers will allow some extra space between aircraft to allow it time to do so. A good discussion of wake turbulence appeared in the online flight journal Aerlines.

I have felt the effects of wake turbulence on several occasions during my career, as most any pilot has. It generally comes and goes quickly, either as a jolt or maybe a series of two or three jolts, and then it's over. Sometimes a minor rolling motion is felt as well, but not always.

Pilots can avoid wake turbulence by allowing greater distance behind the heavy aircraft and their own, or by delaying takeoff for a few minutes.

By the way, you generally hear the term only around airports, because wake turbulence is of concern mostly in the departure/approach environment. Once enroute, both controllers and pilots will usually drop the word "heavy." Over the ocean, if we find ourselves in another aircraft's wake, we have permission to simply offset our course a few miles without getting specific permission from air traffic control. I've never had to do this but have spoken with other pilots who have done it on occasion.

Answer 4

The term "heavy" is attached to an aircraft's call sign if it weights over 255,000 pounds. aircraft over this weight threshold are more likely to develop strong vortexes behind them that can (and have) upset smaller aircraft in trail.

Heavy aircraft require an additional 2 miles of in-trail spacing (you must follow farther behind them) and 3 minutes of hold time on a runway before another aircraft can depart or land.

Answer 5

I yield to Art's hands on experience in this field, but the Pilot/Controller Glossary of appendix 3 to the AIM lays it down in hard numbers:

Heavy: 255,000 lb or more
Large: 41,000 lb or more but less than 255, 000 lb
Light: 41,000 lb or less

The number refers to the max certified takeoff weight regardless of the actual weight at the particular moment the pilot calls 'heavy'.

Anyone ever heard "Commuter 123, Large"?

Or "Piper 1234N, Light"?

Answer 6

Heavy aircraft is large and/or creates dangerous wing tip vortices's. A real good explanation is at:
http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/AIM/Chap7/aim0703.html

These have been known to flip small aircraft that are too close or rip off the tail of A310's.

Answer 7

it means the plane is loaded with a lot of people...and unused fuel on board at the time of its contact with ATC. This means that its wing-tip vortices are likely to be more pronounced than those of a lighter weighing airlpane. In this case, the "horizontal separation minima" may have to be increased...briefly (more space between airplanes nearby) to allow more time for the swirling turbulent currents to dissipate.

Answer 8

"heavy" means he's got a load of passengers.