active 2025-03-20 - Gatwick (EGKK) - Implementation of RECAT-EU (Wake Turbulence)

[VATSIM UK Operations]

Effective 20th March 2025

 

Gatwick is introducing RECAT-EU for arrivals and departures in order to maximise efficiency. Tower and approach controllers should familiarise themselves with the new wake turbulence separation standards, explained below.

 

What is RECAT?

 

RECAT-EU is a re-categorisation of ICAO wake turbulence separation which results in more efficient wake separation. It is currently in use at Heathrow (EGLL). RECAT-EU introduces an ‘upper heavy’ and ‘lower heavy’ category, and changes the definitions of upper and lower mediums. A table of the recategorised aircraft can be found here or at the end of the updated Gatwick vMATS. This will also be automatically calculated by UKCP and displayed in the aircraft’s tag.

 

Controllers must update their controller packs in order to correctly display the wake turbulence categories and timers. 

 

The following table is of the required time based separations for departures:

 

 

Note 1: Where the following aircraft is a B757, a minimum of 60 seconds wake separation must be applied

Note 2: Route separation remains unchanged

Note 3: Controllers must still apply an additional 60 seconds on top of wake turbulence separation for intersection departures 

 

The following table is of the required distance based separation for arrivals:

 

 

More information can be found in AIP Supplement 006/2025.

 

Documentation Status

The Gatwick (EGKK) vMATS Part 2 will be updated at the next release