What defines wake turbulence?

Wake turbulence is defined as disturbances in the air caused by an aircraft's passage. When an aircraft moves through the atmosphere, it generates a complex pattern of air movement due to the lift generated by its wings and other factors such as engine thrust and overall aerodynamic design.

As aircraft fly, they create vortices, which are rotating columns of air that trail behind them. These vortices can pose significant challenges, particularly during takeoff and landing when aircraft are often in close proximity to one another. The strength and behavior of these vortices are influenced by factors such as the size and weight of the aircraft, operating speed, and atmospheric conditions.

While changes in atmospheric pressure during flight, microbursts, and noise disturbances around airports are all important factors in aviation safety and operations, they do not specifically define wake turbulence. Hence, disturbances in the air caused by an aircraft's passage is the accurate definition for understanding wake turbulence.