National Airspaces pt. 4

Question 1

Vertical extent of Class G airspace

Answer 1

From the surface up to the overlying Class E

Question 2

Lateral extent of Class G airspace

Answer 2

Covers the entire US

Question 3

Entry requirements for Class G airspace

Answer 3

ATC clearance not required, even for IFR

Question 4

Speed limit in Class G airspace

Answer 4

250 knots below 10,000’ MSL, unrestricted above

Question 5

Communications requirements in Class G airspace

Answer 5

None for VFR; IFR must maintain two-way radio communications

Question 6

Basic VFR weather minimums, Class G at or below 1,200’ AGL

Answer 6

• Day - 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds
• Night - 3 SM visibility, 500’ below / 1,000’ above / 2,000’ horizontal from clouds

Question 7

Basic VFR weather minimums, Class G above 1,200’ AGL but below 10,000’ MSL

Answer 7

• Day - 1 SM visibility, 500’ below / 1,000’ above / 2,000’ horizontal from clouds
• Night - 3 SM visibility, 500’ below / 1,000’ above / 2,000’ horizontal from clouds

Question 8

Basic VFR weather minimums, Class G above 1,200’ AGL and at or above 10,000’ MSL

Answer 8

5 SM visibility, 1,000’ below / 1,000’ above / 1 SM horizontal from clouds

Question 9

Traffic separation provided by ATC in Class G airspace

Answer 9

None

Question 10

Equipment requirements in Class G airspace

Answer 10

Mode C transponder at and above 10,000’ MSL, otherwise no special requirements

Question 11

Pilot certification requirements in Class G airspace

Answer 11

Student pilot

Question 12

Can you fly under IFR / in IMC in uncontrolled, Class G airspace?

Answer 12

Yes. You must follow the normal instrument flight rules (re: currency, required equipment, minimum altitudes, etc.), but you do so without an ATC clearance. Traffic separation relies on low traffic levels (“big sky theory”).

Question 13

What is special use airspace?

Answer 13

Airspace that confines activities that could be hazardous to air traffic and/or limits operations by aircraft that are not part of those activities.

Question 14

List the types of special use airspace areas.

Answer 14

Prohibited, restricted, warning, military operations, alert, controlled firing, national security.

Question 15

Which types of special use airspace can VFR aircraft fly through without obtaining permission or clearance?

Answer 15

Warning, military operations, alert, controlled firing, national security.

Question 16

What is a controlling agency?

Answer 16

The ATC facility to contact for authorization to transit a restricted area or for information on activity within an MOA.

Question 17

Which types of special use airspace are marked in blue on VFR sectional charts?

Answer 17

Prohibited, restricted, warning.

Question 18

Which types of special use airspace are marked in magenta on VFR sectional charts?

Answer 18

Military operations, alert, national security.

Question 19

Which type of special use airspace is not marked on the VFR sectional chart? Why? Where can a pilot find their location?

Answer 19

1. Controlled firing.
2. Operations are suspended whenever aircraft approach the area.
3. The A/FD.

Question 20

Where are prohibited areas typically found?

Answer 20

Critical national security sites, e.g the White House, US Capitol, nuclear weapons facilities.

Question 21

Activities typically found in restricted areas

Answer 21

Activities that are extremely hazardous to other aircraft, e.g. aerial gunnery, live missile testing, etc.

Question 22

Activities typically found in MOAs

Answer 22

Military training activities that may be exempt from certain FARs, e.g. aerobatics, air combat tactics, low-altitude tactics, etc.

Question 23

Activities typically found in alert areas

Answer 23

High volumes of flight training or other unusual aerial activity.

Question 24

Activities typically found in warning areas

Answer 24

Activities that are extremely hazardous to other aircraft, e.g. aerial gunnery, live missile testing, etc.

Question 25

What is the purpose of a national security area?

Answer 25

To reduce air traffic over sensitive national security sites (military bases, government research labs, etc.) by asking pilots to voluntarily avoid overflying the area.

Question 26

Why do VFR pilots not need authorization to enter warning areas, when they contain the same types of hazards as restricted areas?

Answer 26

Warning areas are at least 12 NM offshore, and the US government does not have sole jurisdiction over the airspace.

Question 27

How should pilots check for TFRs before flight?

Answer 27

Visit tfr.faa.gov or call 1-800-WX-BRIEF.

Question 28

How does the FAA inform pilots that a TFR has gone into effect?

Answer 28

They issue a NOTAM.

Question 29

What types of flight operations are allowed inside a TFR?

Answer 29

It depends on the TFR. Some TFRs prohibit all aircraft operations, while others allow certain operations when authorized by ATC. Read the TFR NOTAM for more details.

Question 30

What are some incidents/events around which a TFR might be designated?

Answer 30

Wildfires, natural disasters, presidential visits, air shows, sporting events, space launches, national security concerns, etc.

Question 31

How much advance notice are pilots given of TFRs?

Answer 31

It depends on the TFR. Some TFR NOTAMs are published days in advance, while others take effect immediately.

Question 32

What is a TRSA?

Answer 32

TRSA (Terminal Radar Service Area) is a designated airspace where pilots can receive additional radar services from air traffic control, VFR traffics are not required to participate but it is recommended, it is depicted with a solid dark gray line on the sectional.

Question 33

What services do TRSA provide to participating traffics?

Answer 33

• Radar Traffic Advisories
• Radar sequencing