You are here

Home
Safety
Safety advice
Helicopter safety
Wake turbulence – The invisible threat

More...

Safety

Work Together, Stay Apart

About the campaign Statement of commitment

Sign the Statement of Commitment Signatories to the Statement of Commitment

News Resources Events Contact

Education

Courses and workshops

Airworthiness and Maintenance Workshop Category 3 Test Flying Workshop Dangerous Goods course Flight instructor seminars ICAO aviation security training Inspection Authorisation (IA) certificate initial course Inspection Authorisation (IA) certificate refresher course Senior persons' workshop Occurrence Investigation Workshop

Vector magazine

Latest issue of Vector Vector magazine archive Vector Online

Hands off the accident scene Report laser strikes Flight planning - not a quick once over Summer flying Performance checking of supercharged radial engines Keeping low-use radial engines safe and serviceable Too much noise in the CFZ, too little in the MBZ The risk to safety through mispronouncing te reo Māori VRPs Slow down those radio calls Overdue. Now what? Currency and competency Lookout The insider threat to aviation A chat with the Young Eagles Stunning but imperfect Making advisory circulars more ‘participant-friendly’ Interference to GNSS receivers highlights vulnerability The CAA talks drones Woodbourne busts Classic Fighters is back. Here's how to get there safely Missed the ADS-B deadline? Competence or just confidence? A beacon can save your life The senior pilot I learned about distraction from this. And stress. And workload. Beating the isolation Sharing the lessons Lessons from a cyclone - part 1 Lessons from a cyclone - part 2 Cyber security - time to take it seriously Balloon maintenance – Not for the unqualified operator Skydiving out of a helicopter A day in the life of a PLA Ballooning safety post-Carterton Safety reporting in adventure aviation See and avoid - paragliders and powered aircraft in the same airspace No engine, no problem Thrills, risk, and dying Gliding 101 Taking off in a hang glider or paraglider If you’re in the circuit, speak up! The impossible turn Precautionary landings Don’t throw caution to the windsock Birds can invade your plane overnight Joining uncontrolled Landing your helicopter in a public place "Line up and wait... I said wait!" Q300s at uncontrolled aerodromes Strip flying Go-arounds Strip flying - first, get some proper training 'Uncontrolled' doesn't mean you Animals on the strip Flying around animals Taxiway signage changes Aerodrome signs 101 Aerodrome markings 101 Anticipate and integrate at North Shore On watch for wildlife With aerodrome safety, size doesn't matter Bird strike Safety in the circuit Standard overhead join A stable approach A blunt message What the heck is UNICOM? Changes for the agricultural sector Tuning into ag Ag rules Farming out 'Wall of wood' - Keep that lookout Ag aviation accident stats - a good news story Owning an aircraft on 1 July 2015 Aircraft hire - getting the basics right Identifiable paint schemes and call signs Unique personal call signs Electrical load analysis - does your aircraft need one? Experimental Change of ownership Amateur-built aircraft So you want to fly a gyro? Maintenance records – Part of the aircraft Installation of ADS-B and PBN equipment Microlight type ratings Maintenance control for Part 135 and 125 The many responsibilities of an aircraft owner Service bulletins and YOU Flying limitations A message to aircraft owners Electrical load analysis - A reminder to owners Is that a design change? Two sides to an airworthiness certificate About the logbook, the work records, and the aircraft operator Ageing aircraft wiring Aircraft airworthiness categories - some basics The long road to ZQN night ops Stay clear of Marsden Point "Parapara...um...?" ATC assistance crossing Cook Strait Parapara...um...? Civil and military aircraft sharing airspace As if you needed it, there's another reason to stay out of military airspace. Drones. Flying in and out of Great Barrier The ins and outs of Hamilton VNCs are getting an update 'BVLOS' is coming - read your NOTAMs! VNCs - you get a say Close to the edge It's not just breaching low-flying rules Get those hours and flights in… Anatomy of a safety investigation 15A investigations - a fair examination CAA Notices - faster and more flexible Everybody knew Update on sector risk profiles Assessment of FDT Schemes Going public with drones Investigating accident themes Singing from the same song sheet CAA investigations - busting the myths Secure loads - everyone's responsibility Declaring dangerous goods to ATS A reminder about carrying goods Dangerous goods AC - have your say Carriage of LPG cylinders Lithium battery fires do happen here The not-so-safe safety belt It's called a 'life' jacket for a reason Unapproved aircraft seat modifications Lithium batteries - the good, the bad, and the ugly ELTs Buckle up Installation of ballistic parachutes Don't assume new = safe Batteries - follow manufacturer instructions! Update those ELT details Raising the alarm accidentally Flying for the crowd A study in safety A new era in aviation events Too much focus Lessons for all pilots from a Fenestron tragedy Regulating RPAS - where to now? New rules for RPAS RPAS update Manufacturing safe drones Reporting drone occurrences Places not to drone Uncontrolled aerodromes and drones Flying drone aware Seeing eye to eye Drones are here. Now. Read your NOTAMS Beyond visual line of sight - the next step for UA Taking drone safety seriously BVLOS is here Drifting away from safety Dated data Teen build pays off for everyone Vinyl applications - a hidden threat Maintenance engineer licence limitations Data - it's called "acceptable" for a reason Aircraft data plates Technical log troubleshooting OEM or PMA parts? Installing avionics - what's acceptable technical data? A safety measure Someone told me I could... Lycoming valves The world-beating Jarrod Wood Compatible modifications Recording of maintenance What engineers would like from pilots Sparking knowledge of fuel chemistry Revised electrical standard Professional development for test pilots Is that AD really signed off? Digging for the truth The value of a CAN Parting out The damaging effect of torsional loads on cargo hooks Dual controls - who can change them Aircraft cleaning Duplicate inspections Flying on a dying engine Turbine gas path washing Not necessarily twice as safe Not flying much? Beat the rust Surviving 'engine out' in a helicopter Hydraulic lock doesn't affect just radial engines GPS and RNAV flight planning So you don't think you need a NOTAM? NOTAMS - at your nearest app store Amending SARTIME, terminating flight plans Get it right this summer What is your life worth? The value of preparedness Fuel for thought Dipstick woes When pure, clear, water isn't a good thing Fuel - a dangerous 'good' for good reason ADS-B does NOT replace an Airways VFR flight plan December 1917 - Avoidable accidents The problem with women in aviation... A new way to investigate safety risks Just culture and reporting The boiling frog - how's that heat? No old turkeys Young Eagles - aviation passion and safety 50 years of Vector - What's changed? So you think you can see and avoid How the AMC process works I learned about flying from that Assertiveness in the aviation workplace I learned about flying from that Holding back on the herbals Beaver rush A new approach to fatigue The danger of accumulated stress Avoiding distraction Alternative process for determining cardiovascular health Take the pressure down Above the bar Startle Peer assistance network - A 'safe harbour' Illusions in flight The right fuel A cool bedroom, blackout curtains, and ear plugs Against the clock Inexplicable Health matters Carbon monoxide poisoning Antihistamines and drowsiness Go back three steps Horror in a Hirtenberg Flying near Mount Stupid Staying staunch in the storm The need for water is real When a sunset isn't pretty The take-off that approached disaster Cool decision-making in a crisis Support for women in aviation The braver decision To hell and back - a pilot's journey to regain mental health Looking without seeing In the time of COVID-19, how fit to fly are you? Night-induced spatial disorientation Improving dual-flight training through accountability Part 135 D-Cat privileges reviewed In praise of good instructors The flight examiner as a professional Beyond good flying Making the most of instructing Strip flying - first, get some proper training Flight training lessons after lockdown Stall recovery and minimising height loss Slow flight - important to teach well A solo at Walsh Teach about the paperwork too - a plea to instructors BFR - are you current? Part 61 pilot licences and ratings changes BFR - not a test but an opportunity The changing role of the senior person Daily flight records Using electronic logbooks the right way All about BFRs Assessing the safety risk in Part 135 Profiling risk in Part 135 New responsibilities for worker safety Your company name is part of your certificate Taking ownership of risk The value of safety Diverse opinions at the big table Aftermath Normalisation of deviance Deferral of defects Extra eyes Straying from standards It's your exposition A warning on drug testing for operators Root cause analysis - the five whys What it means to be a senior person The proper use of Section 13a Why counting cycles counts Pilots as lifelong students Microlighting across Australia Everyone needs good neighbours Banner towing's potential hidden cost Role equipment - check, recheck, practise Glass vs analogue An excess of skill? IFR circling speed restrictions From footy to flying Into the dark Top five from top six Under pressure Navigating your way through Flying heli-neighbourly A heads-up on night VFR Clutter in the cockpit Stay or go? Lessons from air ambulance ops Too low, no go Not meeting the ground unexpectedly Avoid a bad avoid Stay in control Noise Tips from the newbies Outside the limits Safety in numbers Isolated and vulnerable Engage the brain. Slow down. Zig-zag. Low flying over West Melton Happy landings VFR into IMC I learned about flying from that It's not over till it's over - postflight checks Passenger briefings VRPs - make sure you're on the same page Radiotelephony changes Plane talking and situational awareness Romeo, romeo, wherefore art thou? C'mon guys - be kind! Are you a crowing rooster? Proactive always better than reactive The value of reporting 7150 The value of defect reporting GPS jamming - report it! How to build a great reporting culture The value of your 005D report Low G effects - flight into turbulence Hooking in to external load safety Heli weather decision-making Flying under the roof of the world Heli passenger seating - no more fish bins External loads - how much do you really know? Helicopter over water Vortex ring state Airbus helicopters Safety message: Secure loose items Safety in heli ops Marlborough frost protection Rotary visibility issues A black box for GA - explaining the unexplained SMS - What it means for you Risk - Where to begin Your SMS is yours and yours alone SMS implementation plans - top tips SMS - Advice from heli operators SMS certification for chief executives SMS... Taking the plunge! SMS for Part 135s Just the two of us Hazard, risk, and SMS Who 'does' SMS at your place? Engagement and top-down commitment Back to the future with SMS SMS - Top tips SMS scalability Delivering the goods RACAs and quality assurance Building a security culture Satellite-based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) - Installation warning Navigating our New Southern Sky Is your Mode S correct? Know your software Performance based navigation progress Progress on ADS-B Protection of ILS trial ADS-B - what's happening next? Performance based navigation for Part 91 Don't let your software trip you up The outs and ins of ADS-B Sky's the limit for SBAS technology Moving to ADS-B OUT PBN implementation update Advice from ADS-B equipped pilots ADS-B - From sceptic to convert ADS-B changes - What you need to know TCAS: A valuable tool if everyone plays the game I fly outside controlled airspace - ADS-B is of no use to me. Or is it? Not drowning in the tech Final call for ADS-B How to teach Met Free MetFlight GA WX matters Avoiding thunderstorms Murky flying Reading the weather Sharing your view of the weather Space weather How's your MET knowledge? Flying around volcanoes Wake turbulence - The invisible threat Icing What happened here? Sifting the lessons from the wreckage Learning from Kaikoura Aircraft icing A new hazard - bird-scaring lasers Wires - Working to get them down Wires - Got a whole heap down Be wire aware Spot the wire It's all on the line Anti-wire strike tech High safety Things that jeopardise your lookout A special edition of Vector Dip 'n check Bird strike - anything could happen Reporting defects in mods Be aware of date mix-ups Wet wet wet Worth their weight in gold - cockpit video recorders Your family doesn't want to have to meet us Who's really flying your aircraft? Stuck in the middle with you Pushing the boundaries of safety Proactive maintenance and incident reporting Patterns of rule-breaking Mike's story It won't happen to me Summer traffic busy spots Audio story: Know your neighbour What makes a great aerodrome culture? Skill, courtesy, and sound decisions Rules ---> Safety Radio calls - make them count Sharing the risks The limitations of ADS-B Looking out 'consciously' I learned about lookout from this Beware the slowly taxiing helicopter The legality of AIPNZ Lasting legacy of an aviation safety pioneer The dangers of aircraft icing Do you see me now? New radar for air traffic control Risky business How to get from stress to strength The value of an electronic CO detector Engineers' mental health Be ready for the emergency Dangerous goods - time to be on the right side of safety The STC approval process Mixing it up - VFR and IFR at uncontrolled aerodromes Latching on to great safety Survival skills for pilots Weather tragedies affect air traffic controllers too Fatigue: a saboteur of good decisions Getting the best from ADS-B I learned about near misses from this What the hell is ‘anxiety’? Emotions are contagious. Stay calm. The RNZAF at unattended aerodromes

Vector article archive Vector subscriptions Get in touch with Vector

Good Aviation Practice booklets

Airspace Civil Aviation Authority In an emergency Pilot practice Roles

Good Aviation Practice videos Safety education posters Safety education products Practical Flying Guides

Practical Flying Guide 1: Visual Navigation Practical Flying Guide 2: Instructor Supervision

Order publications

Aviation concerns

Aircraft trails

List of certificated agricultural aircraft operators

Aircraft effluent claims Worried about aircraft noise? ARC complaints process

Health and safety

Drugs and alcohol Agricultural operations safety Worker engagement Working with other businesses Health and safety videos Forms, guides, fact sheets, and definitions Reporting an event

Notifiable death Notifiable injuries Notifiable illness Notifiable incident

Human factors

Why do I need to care about human factors? Non-technical skills (NTS)

Situational awareness Decision-making Communication Leadership Teamwork

Fatigue risk management Not just for pilots Applying human factors Guide to investigating human factors

Why do we need to investigate human factors? Perspective-taking for investigators Traps for investigators Writing recommendations or safety actions Questions to ask Resources and further information

Aeromedical / human limitations

Laser pointer safety Safety advice

Helicopter safety

Helicopter frost protection Robinson helicopter safety training Wake turbulence – The invisible threat Helicopter flight instructor manual Helicopter safety resources

Safety initiatives

Accidents – A reminder of lessons from the past Circuit etiquette Pre-flight planning Radio calls Situational awareness and threat and error management Uncontrolled aerodromes CAA educational videos

Safety reports

Occurrence and activity dashboard

Dashboard

Safety messages

Safety messages for unmanned aircraft The risk of incorrect altimeter settings Practise and exercise good judgement Double-check your helicopter doors! Non-conformance with uncontrolled or unattended aerodrome circuit procedures can be fatal Loose items can be fatal Check the carb icing graph Ensure the power lever friction is set and serviceable Adjust cockpit dimmer controls

Sector risk profiles

Agricultural aviation sector risk profile Medium and large aircraft air transport sector risk profile Part 135 air operations sector risk profile

Dangerous goods

Carriage of dangerous goods – LPG bottles

Wire safety

Security culture

Enhancing your organisation's security culture

Foreword Security culture guidance What is security culture? Why do organisations need good security culture? The eight key components of security culture

1. Security leadership 2. Positive work environment 3. Security training 4. Understand your threat and risk environment 5. Staff vigilance 6. Reporting systems and incident response 7. Information security 8. Measure your effectiveness

Appendices

SMS - Safety management systems

SMS FAQs

Safety reporting

Aircraft accident briefs Airspace occurrence briefs Fatal accident reports For family and friends after an accident Safety investigation reports What is an accident or incident? Electronic occurrence reporting Reporting bird incidents

State safety programme

Wake turbulence – The invisible threat

All aircraft create wake turbulence, and usually the size of the aircraft is a good measure of how much wake it creates.

There are some exceptions, however, and we cover this in the newly updated Good Aviation Practice (GAP) booklet, Wake turbulence.

Helicopter wakes may be of significantly greater strength than those from fixed-wing aircraft of similar weight. The strongest wake turbulence can occur when the helicopter is operating at lower speeds. Some mid-size or executive-class helicopters produce wake turbulence as strong as that of heavier helicopters.

The GAP booklet, Wake turbulence, revised February 2024, contains more information about helicopter wake turbulence.

GAP: Wake turbulence [PDF 1.2 MB]

Accident to a paraglider in France

The Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA) France investigated an Accident to a paraglider involving Airbus EC135 T2 PLUS on 11 May 2019 at Le Conquet France(external link)

To support the report, the BEA produced the following video, which provides animations and explanations of helicopter vortices. It shows how the vortices affected the paraglider canopy, causing a collapse.