Airspace Flashcards
Class A Altitudes
Starts at 18000 feet, ends at 60000 (Class E above FL600)
Class A Appearance on Sectional Chart
Not depicted on charts (Its everywhere above 18000 feet)
Class A Entry Requirements
Two-way radio
Mode C (Altitude encoding) transponder
Distance measuring equipment (DME) required about FL240
IFR Flight Plan (No VFR Traffic)
Class B Dimensions
Upside-down wedding cake
Generally, from the surface to 10000 feet
Lateral dimensions are specific to the airport area
Class B Appearance on Sectional Chart
Blue Solid lines (circles) on VFR Sectional Charts
Class B Entry Requirements
o Clearance to enter to Class Bravo airspace. Need to hear the word “Cleared” to enter the airspace
o Traffic separation is always provided
o Two-way radio
o Mode C (altitude encoding) transponder within the Mode C Veil (within 30 NM)
o Required to be a private pilot, or a student pilot with an endorsement to from a CFI
o Remain clear of clouds
o Speed is limited to 200 kts
o 3 SM visibility
Class C Appearance on Sectional Chart
Dark magenta line (circle) on VFR sectional chart
Class C Dimensions
- Not as complex as Class B, but has two volumes
- Inner cylinder is 5NM radius (10 NM Diameter)
- Generally, from the surface to 4000 ft AGL
- Outer cylinder is 10NM radius usually from 1200 feet AGL to 4000 feet AGL
Class C Entry Requirements
o Two-way radio communication (need to state your tail number)
o Mode C (Altitude encoding) transponder
o Speed limited to 200 kts when within 4 miles and 2500 feet AGL from the airport
o VFR minimums:
500 ft below, 1000 ft above, and 2000 ft laterally from clouds
3 SM visibility
Class D Appearance on Sectional Chart
Dashed blue line (circle) on VFR sectional chart
Class D Dimensions
Single cylinder usually from surface to 2500 feet AGL. Radius varies depending on airport. It is based on the instrument procedures available at the airport
Class D Reverting to Class E
Most Class D airports have control towers that operate during the day. Once tower operation stops, the airspace reverts to class E
Class D Entry Requirements
o Two-way ration communication (Need to say your tail number)
o Speed limited to 200 kts when within 4 miles and below 2500 feet AGL
o VFR minimums:
500 ft below, 1000 ft above, and 2000 ft laterally from clouds
3 SM visibility
Where is Class E Airspace?
All airspace that is controlled and NOT A, B, C, or D
• Most of the airspace in the nation airspace system
What is the Altitude of Class E Airspace?
Class E airspace exists at 1200 ft AGL unless otherwise designated.
If not depicted on a chart, Class E starts at 14500 ft MSL
How is Class E Airspace shown on a Sectional Chart if it begins below 1200 feet AGL?
o 700 feet AGL (shown as shaded magenta line or circle on VFR chart) o Surface (Shown as dashed magenta line or circle on VFR chart) • It can be depicted as a Blue zipper line which could have non-standard altitudes
Class E Entry Requirements
o No two-way radio communication
o No equipment required
o Controlled airspace means service is still provided to pilots
o Below 10000 feet MSL the speed is limited to 250 kts
o VFR minimums Under 10000 ft:
500 ft below, 1000 ft above, and 2000 ft laterally from clouds
3 SM visibility
o VFR minimums above 10000 ft:
1000 ft below, 1000 ft above, and 1 SM laterally from clouds
5 SM visibility
Class G Airspace
Uncontrolled airspace, which means no services are provided to aircraft
Everything that is not covered by A, B, C, D, E
Generally below Class E
Class G VFR Minimums Day Less than 1200 ft AGL or less:
Clear of Clouds
1 SM of Visibility
Class G VFR Minimums Night Less than 1200 ft AGL or less:
500 ft below, 1000 ft above, and 2000 ft laterally from clouds
3 SM visibility
Class G VFR Minimums Day more than 1200 ft AGL less than 10000 ft MSL:
500 ft below, 1000 ft above, and 2000 ft laterally from clouds
1 SM of Visibility
Class G VFR Minimums Night more than 1200 ft AGL less than 10000 ft MSL:
500 ft below, 1000 ft above, and 2000 ft laterally from clouds
3 SM of Visibility
Class G VFR Minimums more than 1200 ft AGL and above 10000 ft MSL:
1000 ft below, 1000 ft above, and 2000 ft 1 SM from clouds
5 SM of Visibility
Special VFR
Pilots can fly when conditions are less than VFR, but more than IFR with a special VFR clearance.
Visibility must be at least 1 SM.
Remain clear of clouds.
Airspace for UAS
- For flying drones
- First 400 ft of airspace is allowed for drones
- Drone pilots need approval from FAA before flying in class B, C, D, and some E airspace
- Give way to manned aircraft operation
Prohibited Airspace
- Separating civilian aircraft from special govt activity
- Established for security reasons
- No aircraft allowed at all
- Depicted on charts with symbol P (Prohibited)
- Washington DC (example)
Restricted Airspace
- Operation are hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft
- Missile firing, artillery etc…
- Will have a NOTAM when active
- Even if it is inactive it is best practice to call the controlling agency
- Depicted on charts by a symbol R
Warning Area
- Similar to restricted
- Extends 3 NM from coast of US
- Hazardous to Nonparticipating aircraft
- Depicted as W (Warning)
MOA
- Military Operating Area
- To separate civilian traffic from military traffic
- Use caution. Military aircraft flying low and fast
Alert Area
- Areas that have a high volume of pilot training
- Unusual type of areal activity
- Will have frequency to tune and listen
- Depicted as A on chart (Alert)
Controlled Firing Area
- Hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft
- CFA activity will be stopped if you are spotted
- Not on charts
Temporary Flight Restriction
• Protect persons or property when there is a hazard
o Wildfire
o Disney
o Provide safe environment during disaster
o Prevent unsafe congestion of sightseeing aircraft above incident or event
o President or VP travel
o Space Agency Operation
Other Types of Airspace
Military Training Routes Special Military Activity VFR Routes Local Airport Advisory (LAA) Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) National Security Area (NSA) Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) • Flying in the Washington DC Area Air Defense Identification Zone • Requires authorization or flight plan Wilderness Area • Remain 2000 ft AGL • Blue Line with Blue dots Tethered Balloon
