What is an effective way to avoid wake turbulence while on approach?

Adjusting your position laterally towards the upwind is an effective strategy to avoid wake turbulence while on approach. Wake turbulence is generated by larger aircraft and is particularly strong during takeoff and landing phases. By maneuvering laterally upwind of the flight path, you can distance yourself from the turbulence that trails behind the larger aircraft.

This technique works because wake turbulence tends to drift downward and laterally away from the aircraft that produced it, often settling into the wake vortex pattern below and beside the larger airplane's path. By positioning yourself upwind, you leverage the natural movement of the air, allowing you to safely navigate through the approach without risking encounters with the wake turbulence.

In contrast, flying lower than the large airplane's altitude does not necessarily mitigate the risk of wake turbulence, as the vortices can descend and affect lower-altitude flights. Maintaining a straight course directly behind the large airplane places you directly in the path of its wake. Speeding up the descent may actually increase the exposure to wake turbulence rather than reduce it, as this could result in improper spacing and reaction to unexpected turbulence.