B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180; Flight Crew Type 18400
Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
We were assigned 210 speed 2.5 miles behind a MD-80 cleared for a visual approach in ATL. We got a wake turbulence event; recovered and continued. ATC asked our speed. We said 185; but did not report wake turbulence because of busy radios. We landed as preceding aircraft was clearing the runway. On a visual approach we accept separation and wake turbulence responsibility; and I am aware of flying assigned speeds to help their reduced separation. I found that reporting wake turbulence to ATC is required at a RECAT airport. I recommend that three miles be minimum spacing and that ATL should use their south runway more to handle their traffic load.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737-800 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence in trail of an MD80 on approach to ATL.