What conditions generate the greatest wake turbulence vortex strength for an aircraft?

The greatest wake turbulence vortex strength for an aircraft is generated under conditions that include being heavy, clean, and slow. A heavy aircraft produces stronger vortices due to its greater mass, which results in a more significant downwash of air. Additionally, when an aircraft is clean, meaning there are no deployed lift devices like flaps or landing gear, the lift is mostly concentrated on the wings and creates more distinct and well-defined vortices. Finally, flying slowly allows those vortices to stay stronger and more organized, as slower speeds create more pronounced lift but with less airflow over the wings, leading to an increase in vortex strength.

Other conditions, such as flying fast or with lift devices deployed (dirty configuration), tend to disrupt the defined structure and strength of the vortices. Hence, heavy, clean, and slow conditions are optimal for generating the most potent wake turbulence vortices.