When taking off behind a large jet, how can a pilot reduce the risk of wake turbulence?

To reduce the risk of wake turbulence when taking off behind a large jet, a pilot can choose to be airborne before reaching the jet's flight path. This is because wake turbulence, which consists of the rolling air vortices created by the wingtips of large aircraft, can pose a significant hazard during takeoff and landing. These vortices can descend and remain in a specific area for a period of time after the aircraft has departed.

By becoming airborne before intersecting the flight path of the larger jet, the smaller aircraft can avoid encountering these turbulent vortices that could result in a loss of control. This method takes advantage of the vertical space available in the air, allowing the smaller aircraft to climb away from the wake generated by the larger aircraft.

This approach is critical in busy airports, where the spacing between departures and arrivals is carefully managed to ensure safety. The timing of the takeoff in relation to the large jet's departure can greatly affect the risk of wake turbulence for the following aircraft.