Why does ATC call the A380 "Super"

FlightAware General
1

Like** Lufthansa 455** super, winds 290 @ 13 cleared for take off.

Example in this video approximately 30 seconds into the video. PilotsEYE.tv - SFO A380 | San Francisco "The final flights of JR" - Trailer - YouTube)

2

Other traffic needs more separation from them than from the heavies.

3

Because of the wing span?

4

Because of the wake, which is mostly due to weight.

5

Thanks for your time and reply.

6

They do it because of this FAA order:

faa.gov/documentLibrary/medi … 10.567.pdf

They want everyone to know, pilots and controllers alike, that an A388 is involved so there are extra wake turbulence rules that will be applied.

  1. Procedures.
    Standard air traffic control procedures contained in FAA Order JO 7110.65 and
    facility letters of agreement must be applied in support of the A388 with the following
    additions/changes:

a.EN ROUTE.

(1) Small/large/heavy behind an A388 –5 miles.
(2) When transitioning to terminal airspace - provide a minimum of 10 miles spacing.
(3) Include the expression “SUPER” immediately after the aircraft call sign in communications
with a terminal facility about A388 operations and when issuing
traffic advisories regarding an A388.
(4) Visual separation rules specified in FAA Order JO 7110.65, Chapter 7, Section 2, Visual
Separation, must not be applied with respect to the A388.

b.TERMINAL.

(1) Separate aircraft operating directly behind, directly behind and less than 1,000 feet, or
following an aircraft conductingan instrument approach by:
NOTE-
Consider parallel runways less than 2,500 feet apart as a single runway because of the possible effects of wake turbulence.
(a) Heavy behind A388 –6 miles
.
(b) Large behind A388 –8 miles
.
(c) Small behind A388 –10 miles

(d) When applying wake turbulence separation criteria for terminal operations that are
defined in minutes, add 1 additional minute.
(2) Use the expression “SUPER” immediately after the aircraft call sign in all communications
with or about an A388.
(3) Visual separation rules, as specified
in FAA Order JO 7110.65, Chapter 7, Section 2,
Visual Separation, must not be applied to aircraft
operating directly behind, within 2,500 feet of the
flight path of the leading aircraft, or directly behind and less than
1,000 feet below the A388.

7

When I visited the KSFO tower the air traffic controllers said they hated having it fly in because it was like having the president fly in daily. They all called it “the flying strip mall” funniest thing ever. This didn’t really answer your question but just a cool story about it.

8

Haha, ya I know right?! It’s huge! and A lot harder to handle then some point of peoples views.

9

Ey also think it is quite ugly, like a rat.

10

*they

11

If Airbus ever builds a stretch 380 it will be called super duper.