What maneuver should a pilot perform to avoid wake turbulence while departing behind a heavy aircraft?

The maneuver a pilot should perform to avoid wake turbulence while departing behind a heavy aircraft involves positioning themselves above and upwind from the heavy aircraft. This approach is effective because wake turbulence generally descends and moves laterally away from the aircraft that generated it. By flying above, the pilot places greater altitude between themselves and the descending vortex, minimizing the risk of encountering the turbulence.

Choosing an upwind position takes advantage of the wind's natural tendency to carry the wake turbulence away from the runway or departure path, further reducing the chances of unsafe encounters. This combination of altitude and wind direction is critical for ensuring safety during takeoff in the wake of a heavy aircraft.