Narrative:

We were cleared into position on runway 01 and advised to keep the departing aircraft in sight; which was an A319. The A319 was starting its takeoff role. We were told there was another aircraft on a two mile final. We were immediately cleared for takeoff and advised to maintain visual separation with the airbus; which was just lifting off. The takeoff from runway 01 at dca involves an early left turn which makes it difficult to keep a preceding aircraft in sight. However; we were just able to keep it in sight by briefly lowering the nose. Even by 1;000 ft when we began our flaps retraction and acceleration profile it was apparent that we were unusually close to the A319 and climbing faster. I believe we had made a slightly sharper turn than the airbus; but even so with the winds out of the northeast we appeared to fly through its wake turbulence. We were not rolled; just a few seconds of moderate turbulence to remind us to be careful.continuing the climb to 5;000 ft; I thought we were much closer to the preceding aircraft than usual. I observed around 1 mile on the TCAS and we were just 200 ft below it. It was necessary to reduce power so as not to out climb the airbus and lose sight of it under our nose. I maintained around 220 KTS to ensure that we didn't get any closer. After a minute or two the airbus was turned to the northeast and we were turned to the west. We were able to follow ATC instructions and maintain visual separation. There was never any danger of collision. However; we both felt we were uncomfortably close and I would like to know what the tower controller's guidance is for an acceptable distance between aircraft on departure when [using] 'visual separation.' we felt like this was almost formation flying. No errors but we were uncomfortably close to the preceding aircraft and would have become closer still if the power hadn't been reduced. We did not receive an RA; but the intruder was of course in yellow. Perhaps a request [should be made] to the dca ATCT to plan for greater distance between departing aircraft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A CRJ-701 Captain reported encountering wake vortex from preceding A319 on departure from DCA; questioning ATC spacing technique.

Narrative: We were cleared into position on Runway 01 and advised to keep the departing aircraft in sight; which was an A319. The A319 was starting its takeoff role. We were told there was another aircraft on a two mile final. We were immediately cleared for takeoff and advised to maintain visual separation with the Airbus; which was just lifting off. The takeoff from Runway 01 at DCA involves an early left turn which makes it difficult to keep a preceding aircraft in sight. However; we were just able to keep it in sight by briefly lowering the nose. Even by 1;000 FT when we began our flaps retraction and acceleration profile it was apparent that we were unusually close to the A319 and climbing faster. I believe we had made a slightly sharper turn than the Airbus; but even so with the winds out of the northeast we appeared to fly through its wake turbulence. We were not rolled; just a few seconds of moderate turbulence to remind us to be careful.Continuing the climb to 5;000 FT; I thought we were much closer to the preceding aircraft than usual. I observed around 1 mile on the TCAS and we were just 200 FT below it. It was necessary to reduce power so as not to out climb the Airbus and lose sight of it under our nose. I maintained around 220 KTS to ensure that we didn't get any closer. After a minute or two the Airbus was turned to the northeast and we were turned to the west. We were able to follow ATC instructions and maintain visual separation. There was never any danger of collision. However; we both felt we were uncomfortably close and I would like to know what the Tower Controller's guidance is for an acceptable distance between aircraft on departure when [using] 'visual separation.' We felt like this was almost formation flying. No errors but we were uncomfortably close to the preceding aircraft and would have become closer still if the power hadn't been reduced. We did not receive an RA; but the intruder was of course in yellow. Perhaps a request [should be made] to the DCA ATCT to plan for greater distance between departing aircraft.

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.