National Airspace System

Question 1

Class A airspace

Answer 1

Class A Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: 18,000 MSL to FL600.

Operating Prerequisites: IFR clearance required.

Pilot Requirements: Instrument Rating.

Equipment: IFR-equipped aircraft, Mode C transponder.

VFR Visibility/Cloud Clearance: Not applicable (IFR only)

Question 2

Class B airspace

Answer 2

Class B Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Surface to 10,000 MSL (varies).

Operating Prerequisites: ATC clearance to enter.

Pilot Requirements: Private Pilot (or student with endorsement).

Equipment: Two-way radio, Mode C transponder.

VFR: 3 SM visibility, clear of clouds.

Question 3

Class C airspace

Answer 3

Class C Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Surface to 4,000 MSL (5sm and 10sm)

Operating Prerequisites: Two-way radio communication with ATC.

Pilot Requirements: Student Pilot Certificate.

Equipment: Two-way radio, Mode C transponder.

VFR: 3 SM visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds.

Question 4

Class D airspace

Answer 4

Class D Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Surface to 2,500MSL.

Operating Prerequisites: Two-way radio communication with ATC.

Pilot Requirements: Student Pilot Certificate.

Equipment: Two-way radio.
VFR: 3 SM visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds

Question 5

Class E airspace

Answer 5

Class E Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Begins at surface, 700 AGL, or 1,200 AGL up to 18,000 MSL.

Operating Prerequisites: None for VFR; IFR requires ATC clearance.

Pilot Requirements: Student Pilot Certificate.

Equipment: None for VFR; IFR requires Mode C transponder above 10,000 MSL.

VFR:
Below 10,000 MSL: 3 SM visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds.
Above 10,000 MSL: 5 SM visibility; 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 1 SM horizontal from clouds.

Question 6

Class G airspace

Answer 6

Class G Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Surface up to 700 AGL, 1,200 AGL, or 14,500 MSL.

Operating Prerequisites: None for VFR.
Pilot Requirements: Student Pilot Certificate.

Equipment: None for VFR.
VFR:
Below 1,200 AGL (Day): 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds.
Above 1,200 AGL to 10,000

MSL (Day): 1 SM visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds.
Above 10,000 MSL: 5 SM visibility; 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 1 SM horizontal from clouds.

Question 7

When conducting flight operations into an airport with a controlled tower, when should initial contact be established?

Answer 7

at least approximately 10 miles from the airport boundary

Question 8

What is the airspace above FL 600?

Answer 8

Class E

Question 9

What do you need to penetrate a Mode C vail?

Answer 9

Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, aircraft operating within this airspace must be equipped with an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting capability and operable ADS-B Out equipment

Question 10

what is the difference between a mode-c and adsb-out

Answer 10

while both provide information about an aircraft’s position and altitude, ADS-B Out is a more advanced system than Mode C, primarily because ADS-B uses satellite technology to broadcast data automatically, whereas Mode C relies on radar interrogation from ground stations to report altitude information; essentially, ADS-B Out is considered a more modern upgrade to Mode C, and often requires a Mode C transponder as well to meet airspace requirements in certain areas

Question 11

What airspace requires you to have aMode C altitude encoding transponder?

Answer 11

A Mode C transponder, also known as an altitude encoder, is required in the following airspace:

Class A, B, or C airspace: Pilots need a Mode C transponder to operate in these airspace classes.

Above 10,000 ft MSL: Pilots need a Mode C transponder to operate at altitudes above 10,000 ft MSL.

Mode C Veil: Pilots need a Mode C transponder to operate within a 30 nautical mile radius of a Class B airspace primary airport.

Question 12

What is a TRSA? What does it provide?

Answer 12

Terminal Radar Service Area

a designated airspace around busy airports where air traffic control provides additional radar services to pilots, including traffic advisories and sequencing, to help maintain aircraft separation, particularly for both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and participating Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft

Question 13

Warning Area

Answer 13

Warning Area
Airspace extending from 3 NM outward from the U.S. coast containing hazardous activities to nonparticipating aircraft.
Purpose: Warn pilots of dangers like gunnery or missile tests.
Fact: Activities within may be as dangerous as those in restricted areas but over international waters.

Question 14

Alert Area

Answer 14

Alert Area
Areas with high volumes of pilot training or unusual aerial activity.
Purpose: Alert pilots to remain vigilant.
Fact: VFR traffic is allowed but must exercise extreme caution due to dense traffic or unusual maneuvers.

Question 15

MOA

Answer 15

MOA (Military Operations Area)
Airspace for military training, such as air combat exercises or formation flying.
Pilots: VFR can enter, but IFR traffic needs ATC clearance.
Fact: Check sectional charts for MOA locations and active times.

Question 16

Prohibited Area

Answer 16

Prohibited Area
Airspace where all flight is prohibited for national security reasons.
Examples: White House, Camp David.
Fact: Violating prohibited areas can result in interception or legal penalties.

Question 17

Restricted Area

Answer 17

Restricted Area
Airspace with hazardous activities like missile testing or gunnery exercises.
Entry: Requires ATC clearance when active.
Fact: Often marked with an “R” followed by numbers (e.g., R-2502).

Question 18

Controlled Firing Area

Answer 18

Controlled Firing Area (CFA)
Airspace with activities that stop immediately when an aircraft is detected.
Purpose: No impact on nonparticipating traffic.
Fact: CFAs are not charted, so vigilance is key near known military zones

Question 19

National Security Area

Answer 19

National Security Area (NSA)
Airspace where pilots are requested to avoid for security reasons.
Mandatory Restrictions: Can temporarily prohibit entry.
Fact: Used for sensitive areas like nuclear facilities.

Question 20

Military Training Route

Answer 20

MTR (Military Training Route)
Routes for military aircraft traveling at high speeds/low altitudes.
Types: IFR (IR) or VFR (VR).
Fact: Routes with four-digit numbers stay below 1,500 AGL; three-digit routes may extend above.

Question 21

Temporary Flight Restriction

Answer 21

TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction)
Temporary restrictions for safety or security reasons (e.g., VIP travel, wildfires).
Examples: Presidential visits, sporting events, disaster relief.
Fact: Check NOTAMs before every flight to avoid violating TFRs.

Question 22

VFR Corridor

Answer 22

VFR Corridor
A designated route through Class B airspace allowing VFR aircraft to transit without ATC clearance.
Purpose: Provides safe passage through busy airspace.
Fact: VFR corridors are like “tunnels” through Class B, marked on sectional charts.

Question 23

VFR Flyway

Answer 23

VFR Flyway
Suggested routes for VFR traffic to avoid Class B airspace.
Pilot Requirements: No ATC clearance required.
Fact: Flyways are not restricted; pilots must ensure proper altitude and course.

Question 24

VFR Transition Route

Answer 24

VFR Transition Route
ATC-designated routes for VFR traffic through Class B airspace.
Pilot Requirements: Requires ATC clearance.
Fact: Follow depicted altitudes and headings for separation from other traffic.

Question 25

Parachute Jump Area

Answer 25

Parachute Jump Area
Designated airspace for parachuting operations, usually charted.
Pilot Awareness: Communicate and avoid conflicts during active operations.
Fact: Use CTAF or sectional notes for jump activity times and radio frequencies.

Question 26

Can you enter a MOA? How do you know if it is in operation?

Answer 26

Yes, you can enter a Military Operations Area (MOA), but you should always exercise extreme caution as it’s designated airspace for military training activities, and you should contact ATC or Flight Service to check if the MOA is currently active before entering; the best way to know if an MOA is in operation is to contact the controlling agency or check your sectional chart for its active hours and status

Question 27

How high must you fly over a wilderness area?

Answer 27

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that pilots fly at least 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL) over wilderness areas:

Question 28

What is special VFR?

Answer 28

“Special Visual Flight Rules,” which is a clearance that allows pilots to operate in controlled airspace under meteorological conditions that are below standard Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)

Question 29

What are “hotspots” and where can you find them?

Answer 29

a location on an airport where there is a risk of collision or runway incursion

A/FD

Question 30

Using the right of way rules, list in order which aircraft would have priority over the other: aircraft towing, refueling, balloon, aircraft in
distress, glider, airship, airplane

Answer 30

Aircraft in distress: Always has the highest priority and right-of-way over all other aircraft.

Balloon: Has priority over all other types of aircraft except an aircraft in distress.

Aircraft towing/refueling: Takes priority over all other engine-driven aircraft.

Glider: Generally has priority over powered aircraft like an airplane.

Airship: Would typically yield to a glider or balloon.

Airplane: Considered a standard powered aircraft and would generally yield to the other types listed above.

Question 31

What should you do if you are approaching an aircraft head on?

Answer 31

alter course to the right to keep well clear

Question 32

If you are overtaking an aircraft, how would you pass them?

Answer 32

When overtaking another aircraft, you should always pass them to the right, altering your course slightly to the right to maintain a safe distance and ensure you are well clear of the aircraft you are overtaking

Question 33

You are in the air and you lose communications. The control tower flashes you a green and red light. What does that mean? How about a flashing red? Flashing green?

Answer 33

Alternating Green and Red Light (In-Air):
Meaning: Exercise extreme caution.
Fact: Indicates an unsafe or conflicting situation; be vigilant for hazards.

Flashing Red Light (In-Air):
Meaning: Airport unsafe—do not land.
Fact: Divert to an alternate airport.

Flashing Green Light (In-Air):
Meaning: Return for landing; await a steady green light to land.
Fact: Clearances to land will follow a steady green light.

Question 34

What airspaces are controlled and uncontrolled?

Answer 34

Golf is the only uncontrolled airspace

Question 35

what equipment do you need to enter the Alpha?

Answer 35

Mode C transponder
DME above flight level 240
ADSB-out

Question 36

What are the different types modes?

Answer 36

mode C altitude and location

mode S altitude and location and can communicate with other mode S

mode A location