X-C Flight Planning - E: Airspace

Question 1

What is Class A airspace?

Answer 1

Generally, that airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL600, including that airspace overlying the waters within 12 NM of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska;
(AIM 3-2-2)

Question 2

Can a flight under VFR be conducted within Class A

airspace?

Answer 2

No, unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each person operating an aircraft in Class A airspace must operate that aircraft under instrument flight rules (IFR).
(14 CFR 91.135)

Question 3

What is the minimum pilot certification for operations conducted within Class A airspace?

Answer 3

The pilot must be at least a private pilot with an instrument rating.
(14 CFR 91.135)

Question 4

What minimum equipment is required for flight operations within Class A airspace?

Answer 4

A two-way radio capable of communicating with ATC on the frequency assigned.

A Mode C altitude encoding transponder.

ADS-B and TIS-B equipment operating on 1090 MHz ES frequency.

Equipped with instruments and equipment required for IFR operations.
(14 CFR 91.135, 91.215, 91.225)

Question 5

How is Class A airspace depicted on navigational charts?

Answer 5

Class A airspace is not specifically charted.

Question 6

What is the definition of Class B airspace?

Answer 6

Generally, that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation’s busiest airports.
(AIM 3-2-3)

Question 7

What minimum pilot certification is required to operate an aircraft within Class B airspace?

Answer 7

No person may take off or land a civil aircraft at an airport within a Class B airspace area or operate a civil aircraft within a Class B airspace area unless:

a. The pilot-in-command holds at least a private pilot certificate.
b. The pilot-in-command holds a recreational pilot certificate and has met the requirements of 14 CFR §61.101; or for a student pilot seeking a recreational pilot certificate met the requirements of 14 CFR §61.94.
c. The pilot-in-command holds a sport pilot certificate and has met the requirements of 14 CFR §61.325; or the requirements for a student pilot seeking a recreational pilot certificate in 14 CFR §61.94.
d. The aircraft is operated by a student pilot who has met the requirements of 14 CFR §61.94 or §61.95 of this chapter, as applicable.

Question 8

What is the minimum equipment required for operations of an aircraft within Class B airspace?

Answer 8

An operable two-way radio capable of communications with ATC on the appropriate frequencies for that area.

A Mode C altitude encoding transponder.

ADS-B-Out equipment—operating on UAT 978 MHz or 1090 MHz ES frequency.

If IFR, an operable VOR or TACAN receiver or an operable and suitable RNAV system.

Question 9

Before operating an aircraft into Class B airspace, what basic requirement must be met?

Answer 9

Arriving aircraft must obtain an ATC clearance from the ATC facility having jurisdiction for that area prior to operating an aircraft in that area.

Question 10

What minimum weather conditions are required when

conducting VFR flight operations within Class B airspace?

Answer 10

VFR flight operations must be conducted clear of clouds with at least 3 SM flight visibility.
(14 CFR 91.155)

Question 11

How is Class B airspace depicted on navigational charts?

Answer 11

Class B airspace is charted on Sectional Charts, IFR En Route Low Altitude, and Terminal Area Charts. A solid blue line depicts the lateral limits of Class B airspace.
(AIM 3-2-3)

Question 12

What basic ATC services are provided to all aircraft

operating within Class B airspace?

Answer 12

VFR pilots will be provided sequencing and separation from other aircraft while operating within Class B airspace.

Question 13

It becomes apparent that wake turbulence may be encountered while ATC is providing sequencing and separation services in Class B airspace. Whose responsibility is it to avoid this turbulence?

Answer 13

The pilot-in-command is responsible.

AIM 3-2-3

Question 14

What is the maximum speed allowed when operating inside Class B airspace, under 10,000 feet and within a Class D surface area?

Answer 14

Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 NM of the primary airport of a Class C or Class D airspace area at an indicated
airspeed of more than 200 knots.
(14 CFR 91.117)

Question 15

When operating beneath the lateral limits of Class B airspace, or in a VFR corridor designated through Class B airspace, what maximum speed is authorized?

Answer 15

No person may operate an aircraft in the airspace underlying a Class B airspace area designated for an airport or in a VFR corridor designated through such a Class B airspace area, at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 MPH).

Question 16

What is Class C airspace?

Answer 16

Generally, that airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL). Airports that have an operational control tower, are serviced by a radar approach control, and that have a certain number of IFR operations.

Question 17

What are the basic dimensions of Class C airspace?

Answer 17

Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a 5 NM radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius shelf area that extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport
elevation.

The outer area radius will be 20 NM, with some variations based on site specific requirements. The outer area extends outward from the primary airport and extends from the lower limits of radar/radio coverage up to the ceiling of the approach controls
airspace.

Question 18

What minimum pilot certification is required to operate an aircraft within Class C airspace?

Answer 18

A student pilot certificate.

AIM 3-2-4

Question 19

What minimum equipment is required to operate an aircraft within Class C airspace?

Answer 19

a. A two-way radio.
b. Automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment with Mode C capability.
c. ADS-B Out equipment—operating on UAT 978 MHz or 1090 MHz ES frequency.

Question 20

When operating an aircraft through Class C airspace or to an airport within Class C airspace, what basic requirement must be met?

Answer 20

Each person must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facilities providing air traffic services prior to entering that airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while within that airspace.
(14 CFR 91.130)

Question 21

Two-way radio communications must be established prior to entering Class C airspace. Define what is meant by “established” in this context.

Answer 21

If a controller responds to a radio call with, “(aircraft call sign) standby,” radio communications have been established.
(AIM 3-2-4)

Question 22

When departing a satellite airport without an operative control tower located within Class C airspace, what requirement must be met?

Answer 22

Each person must establish and maintain two-way radio communications with the ATC facilities having jurisdiction over the Class C airspace area as soon as practicable after departing.

Question 23

What minimum weather conditions are required when conducting VFR flight operations within Class C airspace?

Answer 23

VFR flight operations within Class C airspace require 3 SM flight visibility and cloud clearances of at least 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal to clouds.
(14 CFR 91.155)

Question 24

How is Class C airspace depicted on navigational charts?

Answer 24

A solid magenta line is used to depict Class C airspace. Class C airspace is charted on Sectional Charts, IFR En Route Low Altitude, and Terminal Area Charts where appropriate.

Question 25

What type of Air Traffic Control services are provided when operating within Class C airspace?

Answer 25

a. Sequenced to the primary airport.

b. Provided basic radar services beyond the outer area on a workload permitting basis. (Class C Service
AIM 3-2-4)

Question 26

Describe the various types of terminal radar services available for VFR aircraft.

Answer 26

TRSA service—radar sequencing and separation service for VFR aircraft in a TRSA.

Basic radar service—Safety alerts, traffic advisories, limited radar vectoring (on a workload-permitting basis) and sequencing at locations where procedures have been established for this purpose and/or when covered by a letter of agreement.

Class C service—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.

Class B service—Provides, in addition to basic radar service, approved separation of aircraft based on IFR, VFR, and/or weight, and sequencing of VFR arrivals to the primary airport(s).

Question 27

Where is Mode C transponder and ADS-B Out equipment required?

Answer 27

a. In Class A, Class B, or Class C airspace areas.
b. Above the ceiling and within the lateral boundaries of Class B or Class C airspace up to 10,000 feet MSL.
c. Class E airspace at and above 10,000 feet MSL within the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, excluding the airspace at and below 2,500 feet AGL.
d. Within 30 miles of a Class B airspace primary airport, below 10,000 feet MSL (Mode C Veil).
e. For ADS-B Out: Class E airspace at and above 3,000 feet MSL over the Gulf of Mexico from the coastline of the United States out to 12 nautical miles.
f. All aircraft flying into, within, or across the contiguous United States ADIZ. (Mode C transponder equipment required; ADS-B Out not required at this time.)

(AIM 4-1-20, 14 CFR 91.215, 91.225, 99.13)

Question 28

What is the maximum speed an aircraft may be operated within Class C airspace?

Answer 28

Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 NMs of the primary airport of a Class C airspace area at an indicated speed of more than 200 knots (230 MPH).
(AIM 3-2-4)

Question 29

What is Class D airspace?

Answer 29

Generally, Class D airspace extends upward from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower.
(AIM 3-2-5)

Question 30

When operating an aircraft through Class D airspace or to an airport within Class D airspace, what requirement must be met?

Answer 30

Each person must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facilities providing air traffic services prior to entering that airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while within that airspace.
(14 CFR 91.129, 91.225)

Question 31

When departing a satellite airport without an operative control tower located within Class D airspace, what requirement must be met?

Answer 31

Must establish and maintain two-way radio communications with the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the Class D airspace area as soon as practicable after departing.

Question 32

Is an ATC clearance required if flight operations are conducted through a Class E surface area arrival extension?

Answer 32

The extensions provide controlled airspace to contain standard instrument approach procedures without imposing a communications requirement on pilots operating under VFR.

Question 33

What minimum weather conditions are required when conducting VFR flight operations within Class D airspace?

Answer 33

VFR flight operations within Class D airspace require 3 SM flight visibility and cloud clearances of at least 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above and 2,000 feet horizontal to clouds.

Question 34

How is Class D airspace depicted on navigational charts?

Answer 34

Class D airspace areas are depicted on Sectional and Terminal charts with blue segmented lines, and on IFR Enroute Lows with a boxed [D].

Question 35

What type of Air Traffic Control services are provided when operating within Class D airspace?

Answer 35

No separation services are provided to VFR aircraft. A
controller, on a workload permitting basis, will provide radar traffic information, safety alerts and traffic information for sequencing purposes.

Question 36

What is the maximum speed an aircraft may be operated within Class D airspace?

Answer 36

Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 NM of the primary airport of a Class D airspace area at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 MPH).

Question 37

When a control tower, located at an airport within Class D airspace, ceases operation for the day, what happens to the lower limit of the controlled airspace?

Answer 37

During the hours the tower is not in operation, Class E surface area rules, or a combination of Class E rules down to 700 feet AGL and Class G rules to the surface, will become applicable. Check the Chart Supplement
U.S. for specifics.

Question 38

Will all airports with an operating control tower always have Class D airspace surrounding them?

Answer 38

No; some airports do not have the required weather reporting capability necessary for surface based controlled airspace. The controlled airspace over these airports normally begins at 700 feet or 1,200 feet AGL and can be determined from visual aeronautical charts.

Question 39

What is the definition of Class E (controlled) airspace?

Answer 39

Controlled airspace is airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided to IFR flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification. Controlled airspace is a
generic term that covers Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace.