FAA Ground School Practice Test

What do wingtip vortices created by large aircraft tend to do?

1. Float above the aircraft generating lift

2. Sink below the aircraft generating turbulence

3. Disperse equally in all directions

4. Converge towards the center of the aircraft

The correct answer is: Sink below the aircraft generating turbulence

Wingtip vortices are a byproduct of lift generation in large aircraft, primarily due to the airflow around the wings. When an aircraft is in flight, higher pressure under the wings tends to move toward the lower pressure on top, creating a swirling motion of air at the wingtips. These vortices tend to sink below the aircraft because they are heavier and denser than the surrounding air, which can lead to turbulence in the flight path of smaller aircraft that may venture through the area where the vortices are present. This turbulence can pose a significant risk, particularly during takeoff and landing phases, as smaller aircraft may encounter these strong, descending vortices left behind by larger aircraft. Understanding this behavior is crucial for pilots in maintaining safe distances from larger aircraft, especially during critical flight phases. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to recommended separation distances in flight operations to avoid encounters with these unstable air patterns.