Narrative:

On canuk arrival [to atl]; 14;000 ft; outside of bojaa [we] encountered heavy wake turbulence from a 757 we were following. Aircraft was continually rolling to the left approx 20-30 degrees. I asked ATC for 5-10 degrees left for wake turbulence (upwind - was a slight crosswind left to right according to info on pfd). [We were] given instructions to slow from 300 KIAS to 250 KIAS and that we were 7 miles in trail. Wake turbulence was getting worse during the time we were getting these instructions so I immediately requested 5-10 degrees left again. ATC went on a rant how we were now 8 miles in trail and 80 KIAS slower. While this transmission from the controller was still going on; the wake turbulence was getting even worse; so I instructed the first officer to turn left 5-10 degrees and he did. The wake turbulence then subsided and within 10-20 seconds the controller queried if we were on the arrival; I replied; 'we turned 5 degrees left for wake turbulence.' the controller asked if we were able to return direct bojaa and replied affirmative. The flight continued to landing without further event.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-200 flight crew reported encountering significant wake turbulence in trail behind a B757 on arrival to ATL. They took evasive action and were criticized by ATC for doing so.

Narrative: On CANUK Arrival [to ATL]; 14;000 FT; outside of BOJAA [we] encountered heavy wake turbulence from a 757 we were following. Aircraft was continually rolling to the left approx 20-30 degrees. I asked ATC for 5-10 degrees left for wake turbulence (upwind - was a slight crosswind left to right according to info on PFD). [We were] given instructions to slow from 300 KIAS to 250 KIAS and that we were 7 miles in trail. Wake turbulence was getting worse during the time we were getting these instructions so I immediately requested 5-10 degrees left again. ATC went on a rant how we were now 8 miles in trail and 80 KIAS slower. While this transmission from the Controller was still going on; the wake turbulence was getting even worse; so I instructed the First Officer to turn left 5-10 degrees and he did. The wake turbulence then subsided and within 10-20 seconds the Controller queried if we were on the arrival; I replied; 'We turned 5 degrees left for wake turbulence.' The Controller asked if we were able to return direct BOJAA and replied affirmative. The flight continued to landing without further event.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.