Flight callsigns

[Scotman84]

I understand that when communication is made between a commercial fright and Air Traffic Control, they each have individual callsigns or identifiers, but I've been watching some flight programmes recently where the callsign has been suffixed by the word 'heavy' eg A152 heavy. Does this just mean it has passengers on board?

[KebabMeister]

Heavy: Added to the end of the callsign of any aircraft with a max takeoff weight of over 255,000 pounds in the United States. Aircraft currently in service in the United States which are considered heavy are: Boeing 707,747,767,767. Airbus A300, A310, A330, A340. Lockheed L-1011. McDonnell Douglas DC-8, DC-10, MD-11.
http://www.airdisaster.com/defs/

I always assumed it was an aircraft full of fuel but there you go.

[sddsddean]

It is designated 'heavy' as KB says due to the aircraft size. This is because as any aircraft passes through the air it leaves a turbulent wake in its path. The suffix 'heavy' reminds the air traffic controlllers not to allow other aircraft in to an area of wake turbulence until several minutes have passed, as smaller (especially light) aircraft can be thrown out of control by the turbulence. Read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_turbulence

[sddsddean]

Watch this to see how far the turbulence extends and for how long. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/63824/plane_vide os_l_1011_airliner_wing_vortice_tests/

[Scotman84]

Thank you all very much guys