Table Of Contents
1 Application
2 Minima

Application

Radar separation may be applied between radar identified aircraft, aircraft that will soon be radar identified, and aircraft that will climb through the another aircraft’s altitude.

Minima

Apply the following minimum radar separation between radar identified aircraft:

  • Less than 60 miles from the radar antenna – 3 miles
  • More than 60 miles from the radar antenna – 5 miles.

Note: For simplicity, all aircraft operating in a TRACON regardless of distance will be separated by at least 3 miles.

Aircraft transitioning from terminal to the enroute environment may have 3 miles increasing to 5 miles provided the preceding aircraft will remain faster than the trailing aircraft and the separation is constantly increasing at the time of handoff. The first enroute sector must be able to attain 5 miles of separation at the time of handoff to the next enroute sector.

Wake Turbulence
When an aircraft is operating directly behind another aircraft, wake turbulence separation must be considered and applied if required. For arrivals, ensure separation will be sufficient at the time the trailing aircraft crosses the landing threshold.

When operating behind a aircraft within 2,500 ft. of the aircraft’s flight path…

  • Less than 1000 ft. below:
    • Heavy behind Super – 6 miles
    • Large behind Super – 7 miles
    • Small behind Super – 8 miles
  • Less than 500 ft below:
    • Small behind B757 – 4 miles
  • Arrival separation
    • Small behind Large – 4 miles
    • Small behind Heavy – 6 miles


Exception: Arriving aircraft are authorized 2.5 miles of separation when established on the final approach course within 10 nautical miles of the landing runway provided the leading aircraft weight class is lower than the trailing aircraft.

Vertical Separation
Aircraft that cannot be separated laterally may be vertically separated. This will be discussed further in later lessons. Follow these rules:

  • Only authorize if the aircraft’s altitude reporting information is valid and monitored.
  • Only assign an altitude after the aircraft that previously held that altitude has been issued a climb/descent and is observed/reports leaving that altitude.

Obstruction Separation
Apply the following minimum separation from know obstructions:

  • Less than 40 miles from the radar antenna – 3 miles
  • More than 40 miles from the radar antenna – 5 miles.

Note: For simplicity all aircraft operating in a TRACON regardless of distance will be separated from obstructions by at least 3 miles.

Adjacent Airspace and Edge of Scope Separation
Unless otherwise coordinated apply the following minimum separation from airspace adjacent to your jurisdiction:

  • Adjacent facility can apply radar separation:
    • Less than 40 miles from the radar antenna – 1.5 miles.
    • More than 40 miles from the radar antenna – 2.5 miles.
  • Adjacent facility cannot apply radar separation (non-radar):
    • Less than 40 miles from the radar antenna – 3 miles.
    • More than 40 miles from the radar antenna – 5 miles.


Note: For simplicity all aircraft operating in a TRACON regardless of distance will be separated from adjacent airspace by at least 1.5 miles. These minima do not include VFR aircraft being provided Class B/C services.

Separate aircraft from the edge of your scope using the following minima:

  • Less than 40 miles from the radar antenna – 3 miles.
  • More than 40 miles from the radar antenna – 5 miles.