What do pilots typically rely on to avoid wake turbulence?

Pilots typically rely on Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions to avoid wake turbulence. ATC plays a crucial role in managing the safe and efficient flow of air traffic, and they provide pilots with vital information about the positions and movements of other aircraft in the vicinity. This includes updates and alerts concerning the distance between aircraft and any potential wake turbulence they may generate, especially when departing from or arriving at busy airports.

Wake turbulence is a phenomenon caused by the vortices generated by an aircraft's wings as it flies. Larger aircraft produce stronger vortices, and the risk of encountering wake turbulence increases significantly when an aircraft is flying in close proximity to another. By adhering to ATC instructions, pilots can maintain appropriate separation from other aircraft, thus minimizing the risk of wake turbulence encounters during flight operations.

While other options could provide useful information in different scenarios, they do not specifically focus on the direct management of wake turbulence around active air traffic as ATC does. For instance, flight manuals provide guidance on aircraft operations but do not offer real-time traffic information. Similarly, while weather forecasts can inform pilots about atmospheric conditions, they do not indicate the movements or separations necessary for avoiding turbulence generated by other aircraft.