Wake vortex variety

By flugsnug
Published on 21 Apr 2014

Wake vortex variety
The wake is the stream of turbulent air behind a plane, and everything on the plane in contact with the outside air contributes to it.

This video shows some of the components of the wake which are made impressively visible when atmospheric or other conditions are just right.

These include the following vortices: the big powerful ones which swirl off the wingtip areas; the narrow 'tubes' of condensed water which spin off the flap outer edges; the spirals coming off the propeller tips.