Severe wake turbulence can be expected behind a heavy aircraft when it is

• A. Taxiing
• B. Developing lift
• C. At maximum thrust
• D. Heavily loaded

Answer: (B)

Wake turbulence comes from wingtip vortices that form whenever a wing generates lift. The stronger the lift, the stronger those vortices, so the most severe wake is produced when the heavy aircraft is actively generating lift—such as during takeoff, climb, or any phase where the wings are producing lift. Taxiing on the ground creates little lift, so the wake is weak. Maximum thrust alone doesn’t inherently create stronger wake, and while being heavily loaded increases the lift needed, the key factor is the act of lifting. Therefore, the scenario where the aircraft is developing lift leads to the strongest wake turbulence.