Heavy Aircraft

Heavy is an ICAO wake turbulence category designation for aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 136,000 kg (300,000 lbs) or more. Pilots of Heavy aircraft are required to include the word "Heavy" in their radio callsign (e.g., "United 123 Heavy") to alert ATC and other pilots to the increased wake turbulence hazard they produce.

Common Heavy aircraft include the Boeing 747, 767, 777, 787, Airbus A300, A330, A340, and A350. The Airbus A380 has its own unique category: Super (or J in the ICAO RECAT system), reflecting its exceptionally strong wake vortices.

ICAO has introduced a revised wake turbulence categorization system called RECAT that uses six categories (A through F) instead of the traditional three (Light, Medium, Heavy), allowing more precise separation standards and increased airport capacity.