B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 214
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related
On the SADDE 6 Arrival in LAX; we were given descent to 7;000 FT approximately 10 NM west of SMO VOR by SOCAL Approach. At approximately 8;500 FT we encountered moderate turbulence from a preceding heavy aircraft. Roll change of approximately 30 degrees was experienced almost immediately and I disconnected the autopilot began a level off to stay out of the wake turbulence. Captain advised Approach Control of the level off at 8;400 FT due to wake turbulence; but the Controller was saturated with a lot of calls. He did not acknowledge our transmission. Later the Controller advised us; we need to tell him of level off and we need to keep coming down due to other traffic at that altitude. After additional spacing with preceding traffic; we landed without incident. The Controller had us 12 miles behind heavy traffic. This should have been more than enough; but this day; it was not enough space to keep us out of the wake zone. This is a busy time for both the pilots and controllers; but perhaps further distances are needed at times to prevent such events.
ATC needs to give a higher priority to aircraft that encounter wake turbulence. There was little response from ATC when we advised them of the turbulence.
B737-700 flight crew reported wake turbulence encounter during arrival to LAX in 12-mile trail that resulted in sudden 30-degree roll. Crew paused their descent and were subsequently criticized by ATC.