Airspace Flashcards
Classes of airspace
Controlled = A, B, C, D, E
Uncontrolled = F, G.
Class A
Clearance required 24/7.
All flights are separated.
No VFR flights allowed.
Class A and B currently only apply to international airspace.
Class C
Clearance required 24/7.
VFR/IFR seperation.
IFR/SVFR separation (no SVFR permitted at night).
SVFR SVFR separation when visibility less than 5km.
no VFR/VFR seperation.
VFR flights provided with traffic information about other VFR flights and traffic avoidance is provided on pilot request.
Class D
24/7 clearance required.
No VFR/IFR separation.
SVFR/IFR separation.
SVFR/SVFR separation when visibility less than 5km.
IFR flights are provided with traffic information about VFR flights.
VFR flights are provided with traffic information about IFR flights.
IFR and VFR flights are provided with traffic avoidance advice on pilots request.
Class G
No clearance required.
No VFR/IFR seperation.
No VFR/VFR seperation.
IFR flights receive traffic information about other IFR flights and VFR flights may receive traffic information about IFR and VFR traffic on pilot request.
Speed restrictions
In Class C, D, and G airspace, speed is restricted to 250 kts IAS bellow 10,000 ft unless:
Flight manual stipulates minimum safe speed higher than 250 kts, or aircraft is being operated at an approved aviation event. Restrictions cannot be cancelled by ATC
Domestic interim summary
Clearance is required prior to flying VFR in all controlled airspace except VFR transit lanes and General aviation areas.
In all classes, no VFR/VFR separation.
In class C, VFR and SVFR separated from IFR, only SVFR/IFR in class D.
In class C and D, SVFR/SVFR separation when visibility less than 5km.
Where no separation provided in classes C or D, traffic information passed to IFR flights, and VFR as applicable.
Types of airspace
Flight information regions (FIRs).
Control zones (CTRs).
Control areas (CTAs).
VFR transit lanes.
General aviation areas (GAAs).
Flight information regions
Airspace of defined dimensions within which a Flight Information and Alerting service is provided. It extends from ground or sea level to an unlimited upper level, encompassing all other types of airspace.
Whole world divided into FIR. New Zealand in Auckland Oceanic FIR. Within Auckland Oceanic FIR is New Zealand Domestic FIR served by Christchurch Flight Information Centre.
Control Zone (CTR) and Control Area (CTA) VPC and VNC boundary colour
CTR depicted by blue boundaries.
CTA depicted by purple boundaries.
Control Zone
Controlled airspace surrounding one or more aerodromes extending upwards from surface of earth to specified upper limit. Designed to encompass area that contains greatest traffic density around controlled aerodromes.
CTRs can be class C or D. They are all transponder mandatory. CTRs can be any shape.
Control Areas
Controlled airspace that extends from defined lower limit to defined upper limit. Lower limit usually 500ft bellow lowest permissible flightpath of IFR traffic. Must never be lower than 700 ft all/amsl. Class C or D.
Terminal control area
Some major airports have CTA with lower limit than decreases the closer to airport - referred to as terminal control area.
VFR transit lanes
Areas of uncontrolled airspace established in controlled airspace in order to restrict VFR aircraft as little as possible. Only active during daylight hours. VFR do not need clearance. Shown on VNC by solid blue lines. Ident by letter T followed by 3 digit figure (Txxx). Continue to be part of CTA or CTR, but released as Class G airspace.
GAA General aviation areas
Designated NZgxxx.
Only available during daylight hours - released as class G airspace.
No requirement to adhere to magnetic track/altitude.
Must maintain watch on appropriate FQ, and use transponder.
Thick blue lines. Gxxx
Three types of GAA
Permanently active GAA - VFR aircraft may use GAA without reference to ATC.
Active when approved by ATC - VFR pilots must obtain ATC approval for the activation of GAA.
Active when notified to ATC - VFR pilots must notify ATC prior to entry that they will operate in GAA and advise exit.
Flying at boundary between 2 airspaces
Comply with rules applicable to the less restrictive airspace.
Special use airspace
Danger areas, Restricted areas, Military operating areas, Volcanic hazard zones, Mandatory broadcast zones, Low flying zones, Common frequency zones
Danger areas
Ground/sea level to specified upper limit.
Either permanently active or by NOTAM.
If by NOTAM, 24 hours notice given to NOTAM office except in cases of emergency.
On VNC shown in red by letter D and upper and lower limits. Dxxx
Restricted areas
NZR followed by 3 digit code.
Box includes Rxxx, lower and upper limits, and time. H24 means permanent, NOTAM means activated by NOTAM.
Need prior authorisation from administering body for flight
Military operating area
NZM followed by 3 digit code. Mxxx.
Requires clearance from controlling authority
Volcanic hazard zone
Established around volcanoes. Flight permitted only by day and VMC.
NZV followed by 3 digit number. Vxxx.
MBZ
Designated Bxxx.
On VNC blue dotted line.
Part may be TM, even though uncontrolled.
When to make MBZ broadcasts
At entry - aircraft callsign, position, altitude, intentions.
When joining circuit - callsign, position, altitude, intentions.
Before entering runway for takeoff - callsign, runway to be used, intentions,
At any other time - at least at intervals described for MBZ.
MBZ lights and nordo
Must use anti collision and landing lights if so equiped.
Nordo can only enter for purpose of repairs to radio provided landing/anticollision lights, and if practicable, someone else is making radio broadcasts for them.
Low flying zone
Lxxx. Thin blue lines on VNC.
Surface to 500ft, active only during daylight hours.
Restricted to pilots receiving dual instruction, hold an instructor rating, have been authorised briefed on boundaries on the method of entry and exit by flight instructor.
LFZ flight visibility no less than 1500m. No passengers
CFZ common frequency zone
VNC blue diamond shapes. Transmit position and intention on published fq at regular intervals and switch aircraft lights on. Broadcast is not mandatory.
