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Airspace

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Area of Operation II: Task G

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Objective

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The student must exhibit satisfactory knowledge of the National Airspace System, be able to identify and comply with requirements for basic VFR weather minimums in particular classes of airspace, they must be able to identify the communication and equipment requirements for each airspace, identify the requirements for operating in special use airspace, and comply with special air traffic rules.

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Overview

Charts and Publication dates
Airspace Classes
Airspace requirements and limitations
Special Use Airspace
Special Flight Rules Areas
Symbology
Special VFR

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Key Items

ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) – enables aircraft to broadcast their position, velocity, and other data to air traffic control and other nearby aircraft for improved situational awareness and traffic management.
Air traffic Control (ATC) – they are responsible for ensuring safe and efficient movement of aircraft in controlled airspace
Flight Level (FL) – a standard altitude expressed in hundreds of feed, used for aircraft flying above 18,000 ft
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) – a set of regulations allowing pilots to fly when weather conditions are clear enough to navigate by visual references.
Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) – regulation for flying when a pilot must rely on instruments due to bad weather or visibility
NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) – a notice issued to alert pilots of potential hazards or airspace restrictions.

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Background

Started back in the 1920s

The most prominent pilots in the US were mailmen flying from coast to coast along the transcontinental airway (only controlled area)
At this time pilots relied on hand signals, flags, and giant arrows along the ground to navigate

1927 – Cleveland opened the first ATC tower three years after the Department of Commerce took control over the transcontinental airway.
1930s

Instrument flying became more prominent, and the government took more interest in regulating air traffic
American , United, Eastern, and TWA opened the first ATC facilities in Newark, New Jersey, Chicago, and Cleveland.

WWII

Radar was introduced and airspace sectors began to form

1958

After a series of mid air collisions congress passed the Federal Aviation Act leading to the creation of the FAA and a more complex system of airways

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Aviation Charts

What are they?

Specialized maps designated for pilots to navigate safely and efficiently through airspace.

What do they Contain

Topography, airspace classifications, airways, obstacles, navigation aids, and airport details.

Sectional Charts

Used for VFR navigation
They cover large geographic areas and are designated for low-altitude navigation
Updated every 56 days

CHARTS AND PUBLICATION DATES

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Aviation Charts

Terminal Area Charts (TACs)

Used in busy, high-traffic areas around major airports because they provide greater detail than sectional charts
Typically updated every 56 days, often coinciding with sectionals

Chart Supplements

Includes data that cannot be readily depicted in graphic form
Updated every 56 days

CHARTS AND PUBLICATION DATES

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Airspace

Regulatory – set of specific regulations that govern the area

Includes Class A, B, C, D, E, G, restricted, and prohibited airspace

Non-Regulatory – advises or warns pilots of operations conducted in the area

MOA, warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing areas, and national security areas

Controlled – ATC Service is provided in accordance with the airspace classification

Class A, B, C, D, E

Uncontrolled – ATC has no authority or responsibility to control traffic

Class G

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Alpha

Controlled Airspace
Begins at 18,000 ft MSL extending up to FL600
All operations in class A are conducted under IFR
Must receive ATC clearance prior to entry
Equipment Required:

Two-way radio
Transponder (91.215)
ADS-B Out (91.225)

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Bravo

General Information

Controlled Airspace
Each class B is individually tailored to that airport/area
Looks like an upside-down wedding cake with the center parameters extending from surface level to 10,000’ MSL

There are two or more layers

ATC Clearance is required to enter – must hear “cleared into the Class Bravo airspace”
Aircraft Separation services are provided within the airspace

The PIC may not take off or land an aircraft within Class B airspace without meeting the following

Hold a PPL
Hold a recreational pilot certificate or student pilot seeking this (61.94)
Hold a sport pilot certificate or student pilot seeking this (61.94)

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Bravo

Mode C Veil

What is it?

Airspace within 30NM of the airport

Why is this important?

Aircraft operating within this airspace must be equipped with an operable radar bacon transponder with altitude reporting and ADS-B out (AIM 3-2-3)

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Bravo

Equipment Required:

Two-way radio
Transponder with automatic altitude reporting (91.215a)
ADS-B Out (91.225)

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Bravo

VFR Weather Minimums:

3SM Visibility Clear of Clouds

Speed Limitations (91.117)

Operating above 10,000’ MSL – Mach 1
Operating below 10,000’ MSL – 250 knots
Operating under Class B airspace – 200 knots
Operating in a VFR corridor in Class B airspace – 200 knots

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Charlie

General Information

Controlled Airspace
Usually contains two layers with the outermost layer beginning at 1,200’ AGL extending to 4,000’ AGL (10NM radius) and the innermost layer beginning at the surface extending to 4,000’ AGL (5NM radius)

Heights may very

Each aircraft must establish two-way radio communications with ATC prior to entering – you establish this when the controller responds with “(tail number) standby”

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Charlie

Equipment Required:

Two-way radio
Transponder (91.215)
ADS-B (91.225)

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Charlie

VFR Weather Minimums

3SM Visibility
1,000’ above
500’ below
2,000’ horizontal

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Delta

General Information

Controlled Airspace – some airports the tower is open 24/7 and some close at night
Generally extends from the surface to 2,500’ AGL
Each aircraft must establish two-way radio communication with ATC prior to entering the airspace - you establish this when the controller responds with “(tail number) standby”

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Delta

Equipment Required:

Two-way radio

VFR Weather Minimums

3SM Visibility
1,000’ above
500’ below
2,000’ horizontal

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Echo

General Info:

Controlled Airspace
Most airspace over the US is classified as Echo
Class E provides safe control and aircraft separation especially during IFR operations

VFR Weather Minimums

At or above 10,000’ MSL

5SM Visibility
1,000’ above
1,000’ below
1SM horizontal

Below 10,000’ MSL

3SM Visibility
1,000’ above
500’ below
2,000’ horizontal

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Echo

Types of Areas in Class E (SETVODA)

Surface

magenta dashed lines around an airport

Extension to a Surface Area

A magenta dashed line would indicate class E airspace that extends to class B, C, and D surface areas designated for and airport protecting instrument approach procedures.

Transition Airspace

Allows IFR traffic to remain controlled while transitioning.
In the picture Class E begins at either 700’ AGL (magenta) or 1,200’ AGL (Blue)

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Types of Areas in Class E

S - Surface area designated for an airport where a control tower in not in operation – class E surface areas extend upward from the surface to a designated altitude, or to the adjacent or overlaying controlled airspace. The airspace will be configured to contain all instrument procedures pilots (ie. Deland when shooting approaches)
E - Extension to surface area – begin at the surface and extend up to the overlaying controlled airspace. This is to allow for IAPs without imposing a communication requirement on VFR (ie. KEVB when the control tower closes at night)
T - Airspace used for transition – 700ft AGL (magenta vignette) - 1200ft AGL (blue vignette ie. Alaska)
V - Federal Airways and Low-Altitude RNAV Routes – Class E areas that extend upward from1,200 AGL to but not including 18,000 MSL
O - Offshore Airspace Areas – Class E airspace areas that extend upward from a specified altitude to, but not including 18,000ft MSL
D - En Route Domestic Area – Class E airspace that extend upward from a specified altitude
A – Above 14,500 MSL up to but not including 18,000MSL feet and above 60,000 MSL. Communication is only required when flying IFR or IFR operations.

Website with different chart examples - https://www.globalair.com/articles/where-is-class-e-exploring-the-different-types-of-class-e-airspace?id=5618

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Class Echo

VOR (Victor Airways)

Connects one navaid to another
They are 8nm wide and extend upward from 1,200’ AGL up to but not including 18,000’ MSL

Offshore Airspace Areas (Blue Zipper)

Airspace beyond 12 miles from the coast of the US and it extends from a specified altitude to but not including 18,000’

Domestic Enroute – Everywhere Else

If it is not in anything listed previously, class E is everything else from 1,200’AGL up to but not including 18,000’ MSL

Above:

14,500’ MSL up to but not including 18,000’ MSL and above 60,000’ MSL

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Class Golf

Uncontrolled Airspace
Portion of airspace that has not been designated at Class A, B, C, D, or E (ie. Deland)

It extends up to 1,200 unless otherwise indicated

Must remember that the VFR minimums still apply in class G airspace

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Class Golf VFR Weather Requirments

Weather Minimums (Day)

1,200’ or below

1SM Visibility, Clear of Clouds
Exceptions are included in 91.155(b)

1,200’ – 10,000 ft MSL

1SM Visibility
1,000’ above
500’ below
2,000’ horizontal

Weather Minimums above 10,000’

5SM Visibility
1,000’ above and below
1SM horizontal

Weather Minimums (Night)

1,200’ or below

3SM Visibility
1,000’ above
500’ below
2,000’ horizontal
Exceptions are included in 91.155(b)

1,200’ – 10,000’

3SM Visibility
1,000’ above
500' below
2,000’ horizontal

AIRSPACE CLASSES

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Airspace VFR Weather Requirements

AIRSPACE REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

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AIRSPACE REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

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AIRSPACE REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

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Special Use Airspace

What is it used for?

The designation for airspace in which certain activities must be confined, or where limitations may be imposed on aircraft operations.

Types of Special Use Airspace:

Military Operating Area’s (MOAs)

Contain vertical and lateral limits established to separate military training activities from IFR traffic
Depicted on charts by “MOA”
You can fly through MOAs without a clearance; however, this is not recommended.

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Special Use Airspace

Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs)

The activities if not done in a controlled environment, could be hazardous
These activities must be suspended when a spotter aircraft, radar, or ground lookout position indicates an aircraft might be approaching the area.
These are not charted because flight paths do not have to be changed

Prohibited Areas

Flight of aircraft is prohibited
They are established for security (ie. Washington D.C.)
Depicted on the chart as “P-####”

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Special Use Airspace

Restricted Areas

Operations are hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft and there may be restrictions
Denote the existence of unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft (ie. guided missiles)
If the restricted area is cold – you are allowed to operate freely if it is hot, its best to avoid the area
Depicted as “R-####” on charts

Alert Areas

Its an area that may contain a high volume of pilot training or aerial activity (ie. North and South practice areas)
Pilots are equally responsible for collision avoidance and must follow the regulations.
Depicted as ”A-####” on charts

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Special Use Airspace

Warning Areas

Airspace with defined dimensions extending 3NM outward from the coast of the US containing activity that may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft
The purpose is to warn those pilots of potential danger
Can be located over both domestic and/or international waters
Depicted as “W – ####” on charts

National Security Areas

Established at locations where increased security is required for

national interests and are designed to enhance safety and restrict flying too

close to certain areas.

Flight through may be temporarily prohibited when necessary (FAR 99.7)

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Other Airspace Areas

Local Airport Advisory (LAA)

Provided by FSS facilities
They provide important weather, traffic, and runway condition information at airports without an operating control tower

Military Training Route (MTR)

Routes used by the military to maintain proficiency
If they have no segments above 1500 ft AGL they are depicted by IR1### or VR1### (Ie. IR1206)
If they have segments above 1500 ft AGL they are depicted by IR### or VR### (ie. VR206)

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Other Airspace Areas

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

Protect persons and property in the air or in the surface from and existing or immanent hazard
Provide a safe environment for the operation of disaster relief aircraft
Prevent and unsafe congestion of sightseeing aircraft above an incident or event, that may generate a high degree of public interest.
Protect declared national disasters for humanitarian reasons
Protect public figures (ie president)
Provide a safe environment for space agency operations

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Other Airspace Areas

Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations

Area are published in the chart suppliant
These areas are not supposed to be flown over

Published VFR Routes

Used for transitioning around, under or through some complex airspace

Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)

Provides separation between IFR operation and participating VFR traffic
The primary airport(s) within it become Class D airspace and the remaining portion overlies other controlled airspace (normally class E)
Key takeaway – its optional but encouraged

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Other Airspace Areas

Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ)

Land and water based and need for Defense VFR (DVFR) flight plan to operate VFR in this airspace

Intercept Procedures

Used when an aircraft enters restricted or prohibited airspace
Pilots must follow instructions by tuning into 121.5 and comply with intercept signals to avoid serious consequences

Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ)

In vicinity of Capitol and White House
Special Awareness Training required by 91.161 for pilots to operate VFR within 60NM of the Washington, DC VOR/DME

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Other Airspace Areas

Wildlife Areas/Wilderness Areas/National Parks

Operate 2,000’ AGL above

NOAA Marine Areas

Operate 2,000’ AGL above

Tethered Balloons

Can extend up to 60,000’ for weather observations

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

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Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)

What are they?

Areas of airspace wherein the flight of aircraft is subject to special air traffic rules set in part 93 unless otherwise authorized by air traffic control.

Examples:

30NM area surrounding the Washington D.C. FRZ
Hudson River Corridor

Requirements

Pilots must obtain an advanced clearance from FAA air traffic control to fly into or out of
Must have an operating altitude encoding transponder
ATC must assign a four-digit number (transponder code) to that aircraft when given a clearance
The pilot must be in direct contact with ATC unless cleared to the local airport traffic advisory frequency

SPECIAL FLIGHT RULES AREA

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Symbology

Chart Users guide: https://aeronav.faa.gov/user_guide/cug-complete_20240905.pdf

SYMBOLOGY

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Special VFR

What is it?

Allows pilots to operate in controlled airspace with visibility less than the standards VFR minimums (3SM) but still with adequate visual reference to the ground.

Conditions:

Visibility Requirements – at least 1 SM required
The pilot must request Special VFR
Clearance – you must obtain explicit clearance from ATC to operate

SPECIAL VFR

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Special VFR

Requirements:

The VFR pilots must have at least a PPL or student pilot with specific training
Not available in all airspace

Limitations

Must remain clear of clouds
Not conducted at night unless the pilot holds an instrument rating

SPECIAL VFR

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Summary

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In which two classes of airspace must pilots establish two-way radio communication with ATC before entering?

Class B
Class G
Class E
Class D

QUIZ

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