Is it me of the Wake turbulence is fancy in term of visual rendering but not realistic and "little to no effect". See (and vote?) this "bug logged" one year ago, in SU2, in March 2025 : https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/wake-turbulence-has-little-to-no-effect/713435

In SU5 Beta 1.7.22.0 , we have new cool colors… but still “little to no effect”. Worst : the wake seems to be stronger after the touchdown ;( :

I’m still suspicious of the visual rendering. It’s nice looking but, wake turbulence don’t change or decrease at all after the touch down of the AI plane. Same when a AI plane is taking off. No radical change after/before rotation. As a PPL, I’ve learn that the wake turbulence is totally different before/after the rotation and the touchdown.

Source: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap7_section_4.html

One more thing, same blue color (light strength) for a C172 as for a 737 landing. oooook…

Edited April 24Apr 24 by vbazillio

Compared to X-Plane - three years ago:

 

So you are having issues with wake turbulence. I assume you’re happy with the “normal” turbulence, right?

19 minutes ago, ha5mvo said:

I assume you’re happy with the “normal” turbulence, right?

I have no feedback to share with the normal turbulence.

This subject is highly debatable and open to many interpretations. Wake turbulence is highly variable and can differ each time, regardless of how it's categorized. Many factors affect an airframe and its behavior. Even today, I can't predict the reaction; each time is different. It's not only the airplane that is causing it. For sure, it's there. There is some reaction, but I have never been able to predict its strength or the outcome. Under FAA and ICAO, "classification" ranges from severe, moderate, or slight based on the roll angle. Actually, there is no standard "classification" for this event. There is no official scale for weak/normal/moderate/strong wake turbulence or any numeric “strength rating” used in reports. Unfortunately, it's not so simple: you also have load factors (+/-) on the airframe during pitch changes, rates of climb (+/-), high gain/loss or altitude variations, speed variations, and even structural damage. 

On X-Plane, the physics, turbulence, and reactions to these conditions are much refined, whereas ASOBs still need lots of work. I think we can reach a compromise in MSFS, and regardless of the outcome, we will still find people who argue, even if they lack a real understanding of the phenomenon or turbulence from real-life experience.

Regarding the strength and impact to my simflying plane : does someone has already felt the impact of wake turbulence in MSFS ? I've personally never seen nor get wake turbulence effect in MSFS. I just can see the visual representation, enhanced in SU5 Beta.

What about the fact that it's represented without major difference before/after rotate/touch down and not at all as I've been learnt?

Edited April 24Apr 24 by vbazillio

I haven't tested it in the SU5 Beta yet, but in SU4 I did try taking off in a Cessna behind a airliner and got thrown around like crazy by the wake.

I think it's the same issue as normal turbulence, it seems to effect small aircraft but doesn't appear to effect large aircraft.

Edited April 24Apr 24 by Tuskin38

Thanks @Tuskin38 I’ll engage a test campaign and will run several takeoff-behind biggest jet I can find

I've never noticed the wake turbulance effect either, @vbazillio

Considering I mostly fly IFR-rated GA aircraft and have BATC AI running, it's a very regular occurance for me to take off in, for example, the Black Square Bonanza, after an A320 has just taken off. 😊

So I feel I should be experiencing the effect often, but have never noticed any wake effect - with various types of weather.

I wonder if it is just the visual effect that is offered at this stage.

Edited April 24Apr 24 by JYW

5 minutes ago, JYW said:

I wonder if it is just the visual effect that is offered at this stage.

It isn't, as mentioned above I've tested it myself, I have felt/seen the wake turbulence effect the Cessna 172.

How closely behind were you? What was the wind? Because the wind will push the wake away.

Edited April 24Apr 24 by Tuskin38

25 minutes ago, Tuskin38 said:

It isn't, as mentioned above I've tested it myself, I have felt/seen the wake turbulence effect the Cessna 172.

How closely behind were you? What was the wind? Because the wind will push the wake away.

BATC clears you for take off quite alarmingly close after the last aircraft 😄  So, I'm never very far behind them.

I wasn't referring to one particular experience. I've made dozens of departures in light GA behind airliners and have never experienced a wake turbulance effect.

I do have the standard turbulance set to LOW in the sim though, so maybe the wake turbulance effect is linked to that.

Edited April 24Apr 24 by JYW

2 hours ago, Tuskin38 said:

I haven't tested it in the SU5 Beta yet, but in SU4 I did try taking off in a Cessna behind a airliner and got thrown around like crazy by the wake.

It’s wild. I’ve been chasing wake turbulence and/or jet blast for several flights now with no luck. Right after I asked about it and gave it a second serious attempt, I finally felt jet blast! The lift of the wing aren't there as the plane has even not rotate yet. MSFS2024 SU5 1.7.22.0, just trying to line up behind this heavy taking off 24L at KLAX.

Could depend on the AI model? Some circumstances? Other criteria... Next is meeting wake turbulence.

Edited April 24Apr 24 by vbazillio

1 hour ago, vbazillio said:

It’s wild. I’ve been chasing wake turbulence and/or jet blast for several flights now with no luck. Right after I asked about it and gave it a second serious attempt, I finally felt jet blast! The lift of the wing aren't there as the plane has even not rotate yet. MSFS2024 SU5 1.7.22.0, just trying to line up behind this heavy taking off 24L at KLAX.

Could depend on the AI model? Some circumstances? Other criteria... Next is meeting wake turbulence.

I believe this is quite accurate. I would expect exactly that to happen.

There are many situations where cars and trucks are affected by jet blast. Often, we're limited to taxiing at idle power close to buildings or terminals. When we need to make tight turns or use more than idle power during taxiing, we check with ATC to ensure there are no obstructions behind us. 

Imagine being hit by the wake.

Even during air refueling, there are special procedures for hooking up to minimize the wake.

Interesting on your findings during the next test. So far, IMHO, it's quite plausible.

Let us know, please.

1 hour ago, vbazillio said:

Could depend on the AI model?

I do wonder. I'm not sure if the SDK documentation explains how wakes are calculated.

Edited April 24Apr 24 by Tuskin38

4 minutes ago, Tuskin38 said:

I do wonder. I'm not sure if the SDK documentation explains how wakes are calculated.

To my knowledge, no. I implement many adjustments using the SDK.