8 ms·
That might be the golden rule, but it definitely isn't "the rule". If you look on Flightradar24, over the Atlantic for example, you'll see several cases where
by carl_dr 5y ago
That might be the golden rule, but it definitely isn't "the rule".
If you look on Flightradar24, over the Atlantic for example, you'll see several cases where there are multiple planes well within 15 minutes flying time of each other, on the same track, with separation of 2-3 thousand feet vertically.
One example as I write has AA9820 and UA46 following each other at 40,000ft and 37,000ft, at 15nm horizontal separation, and QR740 at 36,000ft about 30nm behind them. When airline traffic is at 100%, you'll routinely see them much closer than that.