Background: RECAT is the safe decrease in separation standards between some aircraft types. Following extensive worldwide collaborative research by experts in wake turbulence, extensive safety and risk analysis, and six years of RECAT Phase I and Phase II operational experience at 31 major U.S. airports, it was concluded that the required separation criteria between certain aircraft could be safely decreased. RECAT CWT takes advantage of the continuing evolution of wake mitigation strategies to consolidate the benefits of previous RECAT efforts along with the standards of FM Order JO 7110.65.

Implementation: Phoenix TRACON (P50) and Luke AFB RAPCON (LUF) are designated RECAT Facilities and will separate arrivals and departures using RECAT CWT aircraft separation standards. The following Air Traffic Control Towers within the Phoenix and Luke approach control area are also designated as RECAT facilities and will separate arrivals and departures using RECAT CWT aircraft separation standards.

• Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD)
• Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT)
• Falcon Field Airport (FFZ)
• Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG)
• Glendale Municipal Airport (GEU)
• Luke AFB Airport (LUF)
• Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Prescott Ernest A Love Field (PRC)
• Scottsdale Airport (SDL)
• Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA)

There will be no change in the radiotelephony use of the terms "Super" and "Heavy" when applicable.

There is no change to the format a pilot uses to file a flight plan.

Refer to FM Order JO 7110.126, Consolidated Wake Turbulence Radar Separation Standards (CWT), for information on aircraft designator types and wake turbulence separation tables. Additional wake turbulence information can be found in Advisory Circular (AC) 90-23G, " Aircraft Wake Turbulence," and the FM "Aeronautical Information Manual."

These documents are available online at: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices 

Please direct questions concerning RECAT to Chris Kesler, Support Manager, Phoenix TRACON, 602-306-2514