Wingtip vortices can sink up to __________.

• A. 200 feet
• B. 900 feet
• C. 1500 feet
• D. 3000 feet

Answer: (B)

Wingtip vortices form behind a lifting wing as air flows around the wingtips, creating a pair of counter-rotating cores. These vortices are carried downward by the wing’s downwash and the surrounding air, so they can descend as they age. The amount they can sink vertically is substantial, with the strongest wakes capable of dropping roughly 900 feet below the aircraft’s flight path. This depth matters for separation and safety, since following aircraft can encounter wake turbulence even well behind the initial takeoff or landing. The other options correspond to shallower or much larger depths that aren’t typical in standard wake-hazard scenarios, so the commonly cited maximum is about 900 feet.