Originally Posted by
AllanJ
Oh, by the way, the pilot in question will not be aware of much. All he knows is that the previous plane took off and, after a short pause, ATC gave him the go ahead. In this hypothetical scenario the pilot judges that by the time he would get into position on the runway and should take off himself, the previous plane would not be far enough away. So, still at the front of the takeoff queue, the pilot places his request to ATC for more time.
When wake turbulence is involved, takeoff clearances are predicated on weight class of preceding aircraft (small/large/heavy/super) and the succeeding aircraft. It can be measured in whole minutes 2/3/4 or radar distance, but would not be a short pause. The takeoff clearance cannot be issued until the prescribed interval in time or distance has passed.
As always, the pilot in command is the final authority to operate the aircraft, but could be required to leave the runway for other traffic.