Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
We were assigned the RAGGZ1 arrival into ATL; approaching from the southwest. We had been told to expect a south runway for our approach to ATL. Well into the arrival; ATC assigned us the transition for Runway 26R; on the north side of the field. After making the turn to the north to join the track for the arrival; and upon turning onto the north downwind; we began to experience wake turbulence from the preceding aircraft. The winds were exactly parallel to our ground track; causing the wake from the preceding aircraft to remain on our track. Radio traffic identified the preceding aircraft as a 747-8; approximately 10 miles ahead of our aircraft. I directed the First Officer to shallow the rate of descent to avoid further encounters with the wake from the 747. It was at this time that the ATC Controller began to ask us to increase our rate of descent. I stated that we were in the wake of the preceding aircraft and that our current rate of descent was the maximum we could do. The Controller again directed us to increase our rate of descent. At this time; I asked for a vector off of the arrival. The Controller refused to give us a vector off of the arrival. The Controller again directed us to increase our rate of descent. I replied 'unable'; and; we continued our approach and landed normally. The threat in this event was ATC attempting to direct us to do unsafe things with our aircraft. Even after I had made it clear that we were in the wake of the 747 ahead of us; ATC replied that it shouldn't be a problem because we had ten miles separation; and; the aircraft ahead of us wasn't a 'Super'.
The Controller handed us off to the Tower and stated in a somewhat condescending tone that 'you are MORE THAN 8 miles in trail of a heavy 747.'
CRJ-200 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence on approach to ATL about 10 miles in trail of a B747-8. Flight crew stated they were pressured by ATC to fly a path they were not comfortable with.