Airspace Flashcards
Regulatory airspace
Classes A-E airspace, Restricted, and Prohibited areas
Non-regulatory airspace
Military Operations Areas (MOAs), warning areas, alert areas, and controlled firing areas
Types of Airspace
Controlled Airspace
- Uncontrolled Airspace
- Special Use Airspace
- Other Airspace
Class B – Operating Requirements
ATC Clearance required prior to entry
4096 Code Transponder with Mode C
3 SM visibility and clear of clouds
Class B - Veil
Operating within the 30 NM Veil (outside of Class B):
- Two-way radio and initial contact not required
- Mode C and squawking VFR (1200) required
- VFR cloud clearances for airspace classification
TAC - terminal area chart
A more zoomed in chart is a available inside the white border
Class C - Core Surface Area
- Surface to 4,000’ above airport elevation
* 5 NM radius from airport center
Class C – Shelf Area
- 1,200’ to 4,000’ above airport elevation
* 10 NM radius from airport center
Class C – Operating Requirements
- 20 NM service area – begin calling ATC
- Mandatory: Operate transponder on Mode C inside and above Class C
- Mandatory: Maintain two-way radio communication inside Class C
Class E – Surface-based
At designated airports without a CT
Exists when the operating CT shuts down, an approved weather observation system is in operation, and communications are available to the surface
Extensions to surface areas of other controlled airspace
Class E – Aloft Areas
Inside of Magenta
Vignette = 700’ AGL Base
Outside of Magenta
Vignette = 1,200’
Special VFR Requirements
ATC clearance required
Operating within the lateral boundaries of surface areas of controlled airspace designated for an airport when the weather is <1,000’ ceiling and/or visibility is <3 SM
Maintain clear of clouds and ½ mile vis unless higher minimums are required at the airfield (AR 95-1, para 5-5).
TRSA Regulations
Per AIM Sect. 3-5-6, Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSAs) are part of the radar service program at selected airports. The TRSAs do not fit into any of the U.S. airspace classes.
Primary airports become Class D airspace.
The TRSA will overlie other controlled airspace, usually Class E.
TRSA Regulations
Operating Procedures
Contact ATC to use services.
Maintain basic VFR cloud clearance requirements for flight altitude.
Comply with ATC instructions.
Participation is not mandatory although it is highly encouraged.
Special Use Airspace Regulations
Per AIM sect. 3-4-1, Airspace wherein activities must be confined because of their nature
Airspace wherein limitations are imposed upon A/C operations that are not part of said activities
Both of the above
Special Use Airspace Regulations
Prohibited Area
Established for national security reasons
Flight within this area prohibited
Designated with letter symbol “P” and number designator
Special Use Airspace Regulations
Restricted Area
Denotes the existence of unusual, often invisible hazards such as aerial gunnery, artillery, or missile firing
Advance permission required
Designated with letter symbol “R” and number designator
Special Use Airspace Regulations
Warning Area
Denotes airspace extending 3 NM outward from the coast of the U.S. that contains activity that may be hazardous to nonparticipating A/C
A/C cannot be restricted from entry, since area is over waters (domestic or international).
Designated with letter symbol “W” and number designator
Special Use Airspace Regulations
Alert Area
Alerts pilots to high volume of pilot training or unusual activity within the area
No restrictions on through flight
Pilots responsible for collision avoidance
Designated with letter symbol “A” and number designator
Special Use Airspace Regulations
Military Operations Area (MOA)
MOAs are established for the purpose of separating certain military training activities from IFR traffic.
DOD has been issued an authorization to operate A/C at indicated airspeeds in excess of 250 KTS below 10,000 MSL within active MOAs.
Military pilots have an exemption from CFR 14 part 91.303(c) and (d) which prohibits aerobatic flight.
Examples of MOA activities: air combat tactics, air intercepts, aerobatics, formation training, and low-altitude tactics
NO RESTRICTIONS to through-flight
Designated with letter symbol “MOA” and name designator
Special Use Airspace Regulations
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
Airspace within which the identification, location, and control of A/C are required for national security
VFR traffic flying into the ADIZ must file a Defense VFR (DVFR) flight plan.
Designated with magenta line and magenta dots with the words “Air Defense Identification Zone”
Temporary Flight Restriction areas
Areas with Temporary Flight Restrictions are not shown on printed charts.
It is the aviator’s responsibility to be aware of TFRs along the route of flight.
Provide a safe environment for the operation of disaster relief A/C
Normally limited to within 2,000’ AGL and within a radius of 3 NM
Flight within disaster areas permitted only if part of the rescue effort or carrying members of the press
Protect people and property from existing or imminent hazards
Prevent unsafe congestion of sightseeing A/C
Protect VIPs
Protect space agency operations
TFR Areas Regulations
Possible Health Hazards
Flying in TFRs could be hazardous to your health!
Possible causes of TFRs include toxic gas leaks, fires, volcanic eruptions, nuclear accidents, and hijackings.
VFR cruising altitude rule
Above 3,000 ft AGL
0 to 179 odd thousands plus 500 (ex. 3500)
180 to 359 even thousands plus 500 (ex. 4500)
Oxygen will be used by aircraft crews and occupants for flights as follows:
On flights above 10,000 feet pressure altitude for more than 1 hour.
On flights above 12,000 feet pressure altitude for more than 30 minutes.
(2) Aircraft crews and all other occupants.
On flights above 14,000 feet pressure altitude for any period of time.
For flights above 18,000 feet pressure altitude, oxygen prebreathing will be accomplished by aircrew members. Prebreathing may utilize either 100 percent gaseous aviator’s oxygen from a high-pressure source or an onboard oxygen generating system that supplies at least 90 percent oxygen. Prebreathing will be for not less than 30 minutes at ground level and will continue while en route to altitude. In those extraordinary cases where mission requirements dictate rapid ascent, commanders may authorize shorter prebreathing times on a case-by-case basis, with the realization that such prac-tice increases the risk of developing altitude decompression illness. Return to NORMAL OXYGEN (pressure demand regulator, gaseous oxygen-equipped aircraft) is authorized on descent below 18,000 feet pressure altitude, provided con-tinued flight will not exceed this altitude.
