What does it mean when a airplane pilot indicates "heavy"?

Question

What does it mean when a airplane pilot is on approach and indicates to the air traffic controller its Air line and flight number and says "Heavy" , is it because of the type of aircraft? quantity of passengers? total load?

Answer 1

It designates that it's a large aircraft; Airbus 310, Boeing 757, etc.,

List of Heavy aircraft
http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/Lab/8803/tech_wb.htm

Perhaps the most important issue concerning heavy aircraft is that they tend to throw up or 'spoil' a lot of the air behind them making it dangerous for aircraft behind to operate safely. Therefore the following distance of other aircraft has to be increased, something that must be taken into account by air traffic control.

One of the other concerns for the heavy designation is
taxiways and runways. 300,000 lbs plus requires a bit more
reinforcement of pavement and many airports have areas that can handle this weight and areas that cannot. It is part of the controllers job to keep heavys off the areas that are not stressed for that kind of weight. In my experience I have never seen a 727 designated as heavy.DC10, L-1011, DC-8, 747, 707,767,Airbus310 are the most prevalent "heavys". 300,000lbs is a lot of plane/cargo.

http://www.ufomind.com/area51/list/1997/jun/a14-003.shtml

PAVEMENT RESPONSES DUE TO HARD LANDINGS OF HEAVY AIRCRAFT
http://pubsindex.trb.org/document/view/default.asp?lbid=749601



Aircraft are categorised by ICAO according to the amount of wake turbulence they produce. Because wake turbulence is generally related to the weight of an aircraft, these categories are based on weight—aircraft with a maximum certificated take-off weight of 300,000 lb (136,000 kg) or more are classed as Heavy, those between 15,500 lb and 300,000 lb (7,000 kg and 136,000 kg) are classed as Medium, and those below 15,500 lb (7,000 kg) are classed as Light. Due to their weight, all current wide-body aircraft are categorised as Heavy.

The wake turbulence category is used to guide the separation of aircraft—a Heavy category aircraft will require greater separation behind it than a Medium category, which in turn requires more separation than a Light category. In some countries, such as the USA, it is a requirement to suffix the aircraft's call sign with the word "heavy" when communicating with ATC in the Terminal Radar Area. If the aircraft is on an ARTCC (Center Freq), they are not required to say "heavy" at the end of the callsign. For example, UAL342 operated by a Heavy aircraft would use the call sign "United 342 Heavy" while in the USA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide-body_aircraft

A very effective visual of wake turbulence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_turbulence



Preceding aircraft
A380-800

Following aircraft
A380-800

Minimum radar separation
4 nm

Following aircraft
Non-A380-800 Heavy

Minimum radar separation
6 nm

Following aircraft
Medium

Minimum radar separation
8 nm

Following aircraft
Light

Minimum radar separation
10 nm

Others:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_turbulence

Answer 2

In the U.S, it means the aircraft is capable of an operating weight of more than 255,000lbs. Whether the aircraft is operating at or above that weight or not, it is still refered to as a "heavy". I believe the weight number is 300,000lbs outside of the U.S., (ICAO).

The Boeing 757 is also refered to as a heavy, even though it doesn't operate at those weights, it still produces the wake turbulence of a "heavy" aircraft.

Addendum 01/23/07: I feel compelled to clarify some information posted after my answer. Wikipedia did post correct information on wake turbulence separation criteria, but it is only used in a terminal environment, usually within 30-40 miles of your destination. In an en route environment, we do give consideration to types of aircraft, especially in a departure sector. Standard lateral separation in an en route environment is still 5 miles, regardless of aircraft type.

For example, a B744 departs out ahead of a E135 along the same departure routing with the center. Instead of just using 1,000' of vertical separation, we might tack on an extra thousand feet, or if possible, offset the smaller aircraft to the left or right, and then use route separation to let them both go on their merry little way. There's more than one way to skin the proverbial wake turbulence cat!

Answer 3

It describes a very large acft. such as 747 etc. It is important the pilot says this so that ATC can space following acft. properly. The wake turbulence from a heavy acft. can destroy a smaller acft so ATC will space the other planes further behind to give the turbulence time to dissipate before the other one lands. It is also important on takeoff as well. Often they will hold a smaller plane a minute or two before clearing them for departure behind a larger acft.

Answer 4

AIRCRAFT CLASSES- For the purposes of Wake Turbulence Separation Minima, ATC classifies aircraft as Heavy, Large, and Small as follows:

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.

Answer 5

It means its a heavy aircraft and requires certain accommodations with its size for instance you may hear speed bird 1779 heavy requesting straight in approach

Answer 6

Heavy usually indicates how heavy the aircraft is, weight, size it indicates all these stuff.

Answer 7

Heavy meaning what it sounds like. If it is a large plane, they append heavy at the end of the call sign.

Answer 8

Larger commercial aircraft carrying hundreds of passengers are reffered to as "heavy" aircraft.

Answer 9

I think you messed up #3. It should be the meaning of Easter? Other than that Star for you. I love the runway one.

Answer 10

From what I understand it is for the type of aircraft, that being of the large variety.
DC-10, 747 kind of thing...