Same Runway Separation

Separate a departing aircraft from a preceding departing or arriving aircraft using the same runway by ensuring that it does not begin takeoff roll until:

1. The other aircraft has departed and crossed the runway end or turned to avert any conflict. (See FIG 3-9-1.) If you can determine distances by reference to suitable landmarks, the other aircraft needs only be airborne if the following minimum distance exists between aircraft: (See FIG 3-9-2.)
   1. When only Category I aircraft are involved- 3,000 feet.
   2. When a Category I aircraft is preceded by a Category II aircraft- 3,000 feet.
   3. When either the succeeding or both are Category II aircraft- 4,500 feet.
   4. When either is a Category III aircraft- 6,000 feet.
   5. When the succeeding aircraft is a helicopter or powered‐lift aircraft, visual separation may be applied in lieu of using distance minima.

      

      

2. A preceding landing aircraft is clear of the runway. (See FIG 3-9-3.)

   

   WAKE TURBULENCE APPLICATION

3. Do not issue clearances which imply or indicate approval of rolling takeoffs by super or heavy aircraft except as provided in paragraph 3-1-14, Ground Operations When Volcanic Ash is Present.
4. Do not issue clearances to a small aircraft to line up and wait on the same runway behind a departing super or heavy aircraft to apply the necessary intervals.
5. The minima in paragraph 5-5-4, Minima, subparagraph g and TBL 5-5-1, may be applied in lieu of the time interval requirements in subparagraphs f, g, and h. When paragraph 5-5-4, TBL 5-5-1, is applied, ensure that the appropriate radar separation exists at or prior to the time an aircraft becomes airborne.
6. Separate aircraft taking off from the same runway or a parallel runway separated by less than 2,500 feet (see FIG 3-9-4):
   1. Category B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category A aircraft – 3 minutes.
   2. Category B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category B or D aircraft – 2 minutes.
   3. Category E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category C aircraft – 2 minutes.

      

7. Separate a Category I aircraft behind a Category E aircraft by 2 minutes when departing:
   1. The same runway or a parallel runway separated by less than 700 feet. (See FIG 3-9-5 and FIG 3-9-6.)

      

      

   2. A parallel runway separated by 700 feet or more if projected flight paths will cross. (See FIG 3-9-7).

      

8. Separate aircraft departing from a parallel runway separated by 2,500 feet or more if projected flight paths will cross (See FIG 3-9-8):
   1. Category B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category A aircraft – 3 minutes.
   2. Category B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category B or D aircraft – 2 minutes.
   3. Category E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category C aircraft – 2 minutes.

      

9. Separate aircraft when operating on a runway with a displaced landing threshold if projected flight paths will cross when either a departure follows an arrival or an arrival follows a departure by the following minima:
   1. Category B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category A aircraft – 3 minutes.
   2. Category B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category B or D aircraft – 2 minutes.
   3. Category E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category C aircraft – 2 minutes.
   4. Category I aircraft behind Category E aircraft – 2 minutes.
10. Separate an aircraft behind another aircraft that has departed or made a low/missed approach when utilizing opposite direction takeoffs or landings on the same or parallel runways separated by less than 2,500 feet by the following minima:
    1. Category B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category A aircraft – 4 minutes.
    2. Category B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category B or D aircraft – 3 minutes.
    3. Category E, F, G, H, or I aircraft behind Category C aircraft – 3 minutes.
11. Separate a Category I aircraft behind a Category E aircraft that has departed or made a low/missed approach by 3 minutes when utilizing opposite direction takeoffs or landings from:
    1. The same runway or a parallel runway separated by less than 700 feet.
    2. A parallel runway separated by 700 feet or more if projected flight paths will cross.
12. Do not approve pilot requests to deviate from the required intervals contained in subparagraphs f through k.
13. Separate a Category I aircraft behind a Category F or G aircraft that has departed or made a low/missed approach when utilizing opposite direction takeoffs on the same runway by 3 minutes unless a pilot has initiated a request to deviate from the time interval. In the latter case, issue a wake turbulence cautionary advisory before clearing the aircraft for takeoff. Controllers must not initiate or suggest a waiver of the time interval.
14. Inform aircraft when it is necessary to hold in order to provide the required time interval.