Airspace Flashcards
What are the two categories of airspace?
Regulatory and Non-regulatory.
What kinds of airspace qualify as “regulatory”?
A, B, C, D, E, Restricted Areas, Prohibited Areas.
What kinds of airspace qualify as “non-regulatory
MOAs, Warning Areas, Alert Areas, CFAs, NSAs.
What are the 4 types of airspace?
Controlled, Uncontrolled, Special Use, Other.
What is “controlled airspace”?
Airspace under the jurisdiction of ATC. It’s where ATC services are available.
How is Class A airspace charted on a sectional?
It’s not.
What are the dimensions of Class A airspace?
18,000ft MSL up to FL600, extending 12nm off the coast.
When flying above 18,000ft, what should you do to the altimeter?
Why?
Set 29.92. Flight levels/pressure altitudes are used above 18,000ft MSL
What are the operating rules and equipment requirements for operating in Class A airspace?
Must be a current, instrument-rated (IRA) pilot flying an instrument-equipped aircraft on an IFR flight plan. A mode-C transponder is required (mode-S transponders have mode-C altitude reporting capability, so any time there is a mode-C requirement, mode-S transponders will also satisfy the requirement).
Are there any Class A speed restrictions?
Less than mach 1.
What are the basic VFR weather minimums associated with Class A airspace?
None, flying IFR is required.
How is Class B airspace charted on the sectional?
Bold blue line with the associated MSL altitudes listed in each shelf section.
What are its dimensions?
Generally looks like an upside down wedding cake, extending up to around 10,000ft MSL. Each B airport has individually tailored airspace to accommodate its approach and departure operations.
What equipment is required to operate in class B?
2-way radios and a mode-C transponder operating in or above the airspace. In addition to being required within the Class B airspace, the mode-C transponder is required when operating within the mode-C veil, so anywhere within 30nm of the Class B airport.
So if there’s a B shelf that extends beyond the mode-C veil, and you’re flying in or above that B airspace, a mode-C transponder is required?
yes
What are the pilot certification requirements to fly in Class B?
Must be either a private pilot, or a student pilot with an endorsement to fly in that particular B airspace; if a landing is involved, you would also need an endorsement to land at that particular Class B airport.
Do any Class B airports completely prohibit student pilot solo operations?
Yes, they are listed in the FAR/AIM
PHX Approach responds to your request to transition the Class B airspace with, “Cessna 976SP, standby.” Can you enter?
No
What do you need to hear first to enter class B?
“Tail Number + cleared into the Class B.”
Say you’re inbound to land VFR at a Class B airport. How do you determine which approach frequency to use to initiate contact?
The side of the sectional has a section called “Class B, Class C, TRSA, and Selected Approach Control Frequencies.” I would use that. I could also get the frequencies off of the TAC chart (zoom in a bit on the sectional on Foreflight to bring up the TAC); they are listed in blue boxes in each approach sector.
What are the basic VFR weather minimums associated with class B?
3sm and clear-of-clouds.
What are the basic VFR weather minimums associated with class B below 1,200ft AGL?
SAME
What are the basic VFR weather minimums associated with class B at night?
same
Why just clear-of-clouds in Class B, whereas in all of the other supposedly less-restrictive, lower stakes types of airspace, you have to stay even farther away from the clouds?
Because in Class B, all aircraft (VFR and IFR) receive separation and sequencing services.
So VFR aircraft are separated from other VFR aircraft while receiving Class B service?
Yes
So traffic avoidance is ATC’s responsibility when operating in Class B airspace?
No, not while in VMC. In VMC, ultimate responsibility falls on the PIC.
What is the maximum airspeed permitted in Class B airspace?
There are no speed restrictions inside Class B; however, most B airspace exists below 10,000ft MSL, which entails a 250kt indicated speed limitation. So while flying in Class B airspace below 10,000ft MSL, the max indicated speed is 250kts.
Are there any other speed restrictions associated with Class B airspace?
Can’t fly faster than 200kts beneath a B shelf or in a B corridor.
Are there any exceptions to the speed restrictions (this applies to Class C and D speed restrictions as well)?
If the plane’s minimum safe speed is faster than what the regs permit, then the plane can operate at its minimum safe speed.
Would you feel comfortable flying 100ft below a B shelf? Why or why not?
No. The AIM specifically advises pilots not to fly close to B shelves. There are large, fast, passenger-carrying aircraft at those altitudes.
So what’s a good distance to fly below a B shelf?
At least 500ft.
Say I wanted to fly from an airport located on one side of the Class B, to an airport on the direct opposite side. What are my most efficient options to do this?
Check if there is a VFR transition or corridor available. If neither of those exist, then reference the flyway chart.
What is a Class B VFR transition route, and where do you find the instructions for these?
A Class B transition route is a recommended flight path for VFR traffic to use when traversing Class B airspace. The instructions are on TAC charts. In Foreflight you can download the document, it’s in the “Visual Chart Supplemental” folder.
Is a clearance required to fly a VFR transition route?
Yes. You’re flying through Class B airspace, so typical Class B clearance procedures apply.
Are there altitude restrictions on these routes?
Yes, whatever is stated on the Visual Chart Supplemental.
What is a VFR corridor?
These are holes in the B airspace through which VFR aircraft can fly.
Is a clearance necessary for flying through a VFR corridor?
No, you are not technically flying through B airspace. But each corridor has its own unique procedures that must be followed.
Where are these VFR Corridors listed? What are some examples of airports that have corridors?
They are in the Visual Chart Supplemental folder as well. KSAN has a corridor.
What is a VFR flyway?
These are efficient flight paths that pilots can use to navigate around complex terminal environment airspace.
Is a clearance required to fly Flyaways?
No, the recommended altitudes and paths on the flyway charts keep you out of B/C/D airspace.
Where are these Flyaways listed?
On the back of the TAC. Or in Foreflight, in the “Fly Charts” folder.
How is Class C airspace charted and what are the dimensions?
Charted with solid magenta lines with the associated MSL altitudes listed in each shelf section. Dimension-wise, Class C airspace, like with B airspace, is individually tailored to the traffic needs of the primary airport. Typical dimensions are as follows: a 5nm radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10nm radius shelf area that extends no lower than 1,200 feet up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation. There is also an uncharted procedural “Outer Area” that extends approximately 20nm from the airport
What are the equipment requirements for operating in C airspace?
2-way radios and a mode-C transponder in and above (BUT NOT BELOW) the C airspace.
Define Class C “outer area”?
It’s an area that extends 20nm out from the primary Class C airport within which VFR aircraft can receive “Class C service.”
What is “Class C service”?
Think flight following + separation and sequencing. Specifically, this service provides, in addition to basic radar service, approved separation between IFR and VFR aircraft, and sequencing of VFR arrivals to the primary airport.
What does “basic radar service” cover?
Flight following stuff: safety alerts, traffic advisories, and limited radar vectoring . . . workload permitting.
As a VFR aircraft receiving Class C service, what kind of separation services can you expect
You can expect separation from IFR traffic. Always the PIC’s responsibility to see and avoid in VMC, though.
What minimum pilot certification is required to operate in Class C airspace?
No specific certification required (i.e. a solo student could fly in Class C without a Class C-specific solo endorsement).
Communications-wise, what is required to enter Class C airspace?
You must establish communications
Define “establish communications” in class C airspace
ATC must say your tail number.
What if ATC says, “Cessna 976SP, standby” in class C airspace, Can you enter?
Yes
How about, “Cessna 976SP, remain outside the Class C airspace” can you enter?
No
Say ATC is distracted and says, “Traffic calling SE of Tucson, continue inbound, maintain present altitude and say call sign.” You respond, “Continue inbound, maintain altitude, Cessna 976SP.” Can you enter the Class C?
No, not until ATC responds with my tail number.
How far out are you expected to contact ATC when landing at a Class C airport?
20nm, it’s on the sectional.
Is checkng in 20nm away in class C required or advisory?
advisory
Do you contact approach or tower when 20nm outside of class C?
approach
Why do we contact class C so far out (20nm)?
Class C airports get a lot of IFR/passenger-carrying operations. Because of this they are serviced by approach radars, and this allows for sequencing among the IFR aircraft.
What speed limitations are associated with Class C airspace? Within
4nm of the airport, up to 2,500ft AGL, the max indicated airspeed is 200kts.
So if I’m in the Class C, but more than 4nm out from the airport, I can go faster than 200kts indicated?
yes
What are the basic VFR weather minimums in Class C airspace Day and Night?
3sm visibility, 1000’ above clouds, 500’ below clouds, 2000’ horizontal from clouds (aka 3152) Day and Night
What is the procedure for taking off out of an untowered satellite airport located within the Class C (or D) airspace surface area? Is a takeoff clearance from ATC required?
No, however two-way radio communications must be established as soon as practicable after departing with the ATC facility having jurisdiction over Class C (or D) airspace.
KIWA has a lot more traffic than KTUS, and yet KTUS is Class C and KIWA is Class D. Why is that?
The airspace classes are designated not by the overall amount of traffic, but by the amount of IFR, passenger-carrying, and commercial traffic. KTUS has a lot more of that sort of traffic, which necessitates an approach radar and additional ATC services.
What are some of the ways that operating out of a Class C airport differs from operating out of a Class D airport?
Departing VFR out of a Class C airport feels similar to departing IFR out of a D airport: usually when departing VFR out of a C airport, the pilot calls up Clearance first and specifies the intended direction of departure and climb altitude, after which Clearance provides a route/altitude clearance and a beacon code. Then the pilot calls up ground for taxi instructions. After departure the pilot can expect a hand off to Departure, and then VFR Flight Following is automatically provided. When arriving, the main difference between C and D airspace is that, for Class C, the pilot contacts Approach Control 20nm out, whereas in Class D, the pilot usually contacts Tower approximately 10nm out.
How is Class D airspace depicted on a sectional, and what are its dimensions?
Class D is depicted with a dashed blue line, with the airspace’s upper limit shown in MSL inside a dashed blue box. As is the case with B and C airspace, the dimensions of D airspace are individually tailored to the needs of the airport it surrounds; typical dimensions, however, are 2,500AGL and a 4nm radius.
Is your airport (KIWA) Class D full time?
NO
What airspace does part tieme class D revert to, and when?
Refer to the Chart Supplement, which in the case of KIWA states: AIRSPACE: CLASS D svc 1200-0700Z; other times CLASS G. This means that the airspace reverts to Class G (up to the overlying Class E at 700ft) from 12pm - 5am local time, so after applying the -7 hour AZ Zulu conversion.
What pilot certification is required to operate in Class D airspace?
No specific certification required.
Who do you contact when attempting to enter Class D airspace, and how far out should you initiate contact?
Contact Tower about 10nm out.
Can you operate inside Class D airspace without a mode-C transponder?
YES
Can you fly at KVNY without a mode-C transponder?
No, KVNY is inside the KBUR mode-C veil.
If a mode-C transponder is not required, can you operate with your mode-C transponder turned off?
No, if you have a mode-C transponder it needs to be operating.
Other than a mode-C transponder, what other equipment is required to operate in Class D airspace?
2-way radio.
What are the communication requirements for entry into Class D airspace?
Same as Class C: must establish communications, i.e. must hear your tail number.
What are the basic VFR weather minimums in Class D airspace Day and Night?
Day and night: 3152.
What speed limitations are associated with Class D airspace?
Same as Class C: within 4nm of the airport, up to 2,500ft AGL, the max indicated airspeed is 200kts.
What if the Class D airspace extends 6nm out from the airport? I can operate within the D for the first 2nm going faster than 200kts?
yes
What kind of separation services can VFR aircraft expect in Class D airspace?
None. Only IFR aircraft receive separation services in Class D.
Does look out for you at all in Class D
Workload permitting, you’ll receive basic radar service, so traffic advisories and safety alerts and limited vectoring. Safety alerts are always mandatory.
What are the various ways Class E airspace can be depicted on a sectional, and what are its various dimensions
SETVODA
Surface
Extension
Transition
Victor Airways
Offshore
Domestic Enroute
Above FL 600
Class E starting at the surface is shown with a dashed magenta line. Class E starting at 700ft AGL is shown with a thicker magenta line that fades into the Class E airspace it surrounds. Class E starting at 1,200ft AGL is shown with a blue line that fades into the Class E airspace it surrounds. Class E airspace starting at a specified altitude is surrounded by a blue zipper-looking line. If not charted otherwise, Class E airspace starts at 14,500ft MSL and extends up to the 18,000ft Class A floor; this 14,500ft - 18,000ft MSL Class E airspace is uncharted. Class E then starts again above FL600 and extends upward into space.
What are the pilot certification, equipment, and arrival communication requirements for Class E airspace?
None. However, if operating above 10,000ft MSL (but not below 2,500ft AGL) in Class E, a mode C transponder is required.
What are the basic VFR weather minimums in Class E airspace?
Below 10,000ft MSL: 3152. Above 10,000ft MSL: 5sm visibility, 1,000ft above clouds, 1,000ft below clouds, 1sm horizontal from clouds (5111).
How about at night?
same
What does the last “1” in 5111 represent?
1 statute mile horizontal from clouds.
Why are the visibility and cloud clearance requirements increased above 10,000 MSL?
Aircraft move faster at these higher altitudes. More restrictive weather mins provide more time to see and avoid.
What is the purpose of Class E airspace?
It has many functions, but essentially Class E exists to provide controlled airspace so that aircraft can receive ATC services.
When KRYN tower closes at night, does the Class E surface area extension (the magenta keyhole portion on the sectional) remain Class E? Or like KRYN’s Class D, does it revert to Class G?
Reverts to G.
What kind of airspace surrounds victor airways, and what are its dimensions
E
Unless otherwise specified, this Class E starts at 1,200ft AGL and extends up to 18,000ft MSL, 4nm on either side of the airway.