PHAK 15: Airspace Flashcards
Uncontrolled Airspace
Airspace where ATC does not have jurisdiction and services are not provided. Aircraft operating within uncontrolled airspace have responsibility for their own navigation and separation from other aircraft.
VFR takeoff minimums:
1 SM ground visibility
clear of clouds.
Controlled Airspace
Airspace where ATC services are provided. Aircraft operating within controlled airspace are subject to specific regulations and clearance requirements.
VFR takeoff minimums:
3 SM ground visibility
1,000’ AGL ceiling
Entry Requirements: Class A
ATC Clearance
Entry Requirements: Class B
ATC Clearance
“Cleared to enter the Bravo”
Entry Requirements: Class C
Two-way radio communication prior to entry.
Entry Requirements: Class D
Two-way radio communication prior to entry.
Entry Requirements: Class E
None for VFR.
Entry Requirements: Class G
None.
Equipment Required: Class A
- Two-way radio
- Mode C transponder
- ADS-B out
- Pressure altitude reporting
- IFR Equipped
Equipment Required: Class B
- Two-way radio
- Transponder with Mode C
- ADS-B out
Equipment Required: Class C
- Two-way radio
- Mode C transponder
- ADS-B out
Equipment Required: Class D
Two-way radio.
Equipment Required: Class E
None.
Equipment Required: Class G
None.
Minimum Pilot Certificate:
Class A
Instrument rating.
Minimum Pilot Certificate:
Class B
Private pilot or student certificate.
Minimum Pilot Certificate:
Class C
Student certificate.
Minimum Pilot Certificate:
Class D
Student certificate.
Minimum Pilot Certificate:
Class E
Student certificate.
Minimum Pilot Certificate:
Class G
Student certificate.
VFR Visibility Minimum: Class A
None.
VFR Visibility Minimum: Class B
3 statute miles.
VFR Visibility Minimum: Class C
3 statute miles.
VFR Visibility Minimum: Class D
3 statute miles
VFR Visibility Minimum: Class E
At or above 10,000’ MSL: 5 statute miles.
Below 10,000’ MSL: 3 statute miles.
VFR Visibility Minimum: Class G
At or above 10,000’ MSL & 1,200’ AGL: 5 statute miles.
Below 10,000’ MSL: 1 statute mile (day) / 3 statute miles (night)
VFR Minimum Distance from Clouds: Class A
None.
VFR Minimum Distance from Clouds: Class B
Clear of clouds.
VFR Minimum Distance from Clouds: Class C
1,000’ Above
500’ Below
2,000’ Horizontal
VFR Minimum Distance from Clouds: Class D
1,000’ Above
500’ Below
2,000’ Horizontal
VFR Minimum Distance from Clouds: Class E
At or above 10,000’ MSL:
1,000’ Above
1,000’ Below
1 SM Horizontal
Below 10,000’ MSL:
1,000’ Above
500’ Below
2,000’ Horizontal
VFR Minimum Distance from Clouds: Class G
At or above 10,000’ MSL & 1,200’ AGL:
1,000’ Above
1,000’ Below
1 SM Horizontal
Above 1,200’ AGL & below 10,000 MSL :
1,000’ Above
500’ Below
2,000’ Horizontal
Below 1,200’ AGL (Day):
Clear of clouds
Below 1,200’ AGL (Night):
1,000’ Above
500’ Below
2,000’ Horizontal
Color/style for Class B airspace boundary on map.
Solid blue line.
Color/style for Class C airspace boundary on map.
Solid magenta line.
Color/style for Class D airspace boundary on map.
Dashed blue line.
How is Class D airspace ceiling displayed on the map?
Dashed blue square around ceiling in hundreds of feet. Example (40)
How is Class E airspace with a 700 ft floor AGL that laterally abuts 1,200 ft or higher Class E airspace displayed on the map?
Magenta gradient.
How is Class E airspace with a 1,200 ft floor AGL or greater that laterally abuts Glass G airspace displayed on the map?
Blue gradient.
What color are airports with control towers?
Blue.
What color are non-towered airports?
Magenta.
What indicates that an airport has fuel availability?
Tick marks around the airport symbol.
Mode C Veil
Mode C veils exist within 30 nm of most Class B airports.
In some cases, Class B airspace (e.g. Los Angeles Class B) extends beyond
the Mode C veil.
Class B Airspace
Surrounds certain large airports.
Multiple segments with different ceiling/floor altitudes.
Example: 70/30 = ceiling 7,000 MSL, floor 3,000 MSL.
VFR Transition Routes
Used by ATC to route VFR traffic through Class B airspace.
Depicted on terminal area charts.
IFR Routes
Depicted on VFR terminal area charts only.
Shows arrival routes (airplane symbol and arrows), departure routes (arrows only), and altitudes of IFR traffic into and out of the terminal area of Class B airspace.
Class C Airspace
Surrounds certain medium-sized airports.
Typically 10 nm radius.
Generally includes two segments:
5 nm radius core from surface to 4,000 AGL.
10 nm radius shelf from 1,200 to 4,000 AGL.
Windmill/Wind Turbine Farms
As of March 2013, standard obstruction symbols on sectional and TAC charts have been replaced with ICAO symbology that more accurately depicts wind turbines.
Altitude shown in the blue box is the MSL altitude of the highest wind turbine in the group.
UC means Under Construction or reported as position and elevation unverified.
Caution: Guy wires may extend outward from these structures.
Class D Airspace
Surrounds smaller towered airports.
Typically 4 nm radius.
Generally, from the surface to 2,500 AGL.
Usually reverts to a Class E surface area when the tower is closed.
May include Class E surface area extensions.
Class D Speed Limit
Below 2,500 AGL and within four nautical miles of the primary airport, aircraft are limited to 200 knots indicated airspeed.
What does TRSA stand for?
Terminal Radar Service Area
What is TRSA?
Surrounds Class D airports with expanded ATC radar services.
Class E Airspace, Surface Area
Around some airports, Class E airspace begins at the surface, rather than the normal 700 or 1,200 AGL.
Class D airports with part-time towers usually become Class E surface areas when the tower is not in operation.
Are Class E surface areas always depicted with a dashed magenta line?
No. When the tower at a Class D airport is closed, the airspace—which is depicted with a dashed blue line— may revert to a Class E surface area.
Class E Airspace, Transition Area
Surrounds many non-towered airports.
Extends the floor of Class E airspace down to 700 AGL to accommodate IFR procedures.
Special Conservation Area
Surrounds many national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.
Overflight Prohibition Zone
Protected zones within several national marine sanctuaries.
Enforced by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Prohibited Area
Established for security reasons or other reasons associated with national welfare
Restricted Area
Separates civilian traffic from potentially hazardous military activities.
Warning Area
Extends outward from 3 nm off the coast.
Warns pilots of potentially hazardous activities.
Only the airspace effective below 10,000 MSL is shown.
Alert Area
Established in areas with a high volume of pilot training or unusual type of aerial activity.
Military Operations Area (MOA)
Established to allow military training activities.
Military Training Routes (MTRs)
MTRs prefixed with the letters ‘IR’ are for IFR flights.
MTRs prefixed with the letters ‘VR’ are for VFR flights.
MTRs with a letter suffix (i.e., A, B, etc.) denote an alternate route.
MTRs with four numbers denote routes flown at 1,500 agl and below.
MTRs with three numbers denote routes with at least one segment above 1,500 AGL.
National Security Area (NSA)
Established around areas requiring special security precautions.
Special Flight Rules Area
Depicts airspace subject to special regulation.
Examples: Grand Canyon, Washington, D.C. area.
Washington, D.C. SFRA (Special Flight Rules Area)
30 nm radius of the DCA VOR/DME.
Speed restriction ring 30 to 60 nm radius of the DCA VOR/DME.
Surface up to but not including FL180.
Flight Restricted Zone (D.C. FRZ)
13 -15 nm radius of DCA VOR/DME.
Surface up to 17,999 MSL.
What does ADIZ stand for?
Air Defense Identification Zone
Contiguous U.S. ADIZ
Surrounds the nation’s eastern, southern, and western borders.
