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AIRCRAFT WAKE CATEGORIES

Pilot/Controller Glossary with JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

For the purposes of Terminal Wake Turbulence Separation Minima, ATC classifies aircraft as Category A through Category I as follows:

  1. CATEGORY A. The Airbus A-380-800 (A388) is classified as a super aircraft.
  2. CATEGORY B, C, and D. Aircraft capable of takeoff weights of 300,000 pounds or more whether or not they are operating at this weight during a particular phase of flight. These are categorized as heavy aircraft.
  3. CATEGORY E. All B757 aircraft.
  4. CATEGORY F, and G. Aircraft weighing 41,000 pounds or more maximum certificated takeoff weight, up to but not including 300,000 pounds.
  5. CATEGORY H and I. Aircraft of less than 41,000 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight.

Refer to AIM.