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Airport operationsQuestion 226 of 934

Under which conditions is the vortex strength of a generating aircraft greatest?

  1. When the aircraft is light, clean, and fast
  2. When the aircraft is heavy, dirty, and fast
  3. When the aircraft is heavy, clean, and slow
  4. When the aircraft is light, dirty, and slow
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Correct answer: When the aircraft is heavy, clean, and slow

Vortex strength grows with weight and falls with speed. A dirty configuration speeds wake decay.

Source: Aeronautical Information Manual (FAA, Basic with Change 3, 9 July 2026), AIM 7-4-3 Vortex Strength, page 606

Practice airport operations

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026