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Module 3: Regulations

Lesson 4:

Airspace and Charts

AIFS Drone Curriculum Package

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Airspace

  • A – Above 18,000’
  • B – Large Airports (SF, LA, SD)
  • C – Regional Airports (Fresno)
  • D – Part time tower (Modesto)
  • E – “everywhere” (most uncontrolled airports)
    • Surface
    • 700’, 1400’ ceilings are above 400’ limit
  • G – “good” unrestricted

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Sectional Maps

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Class B

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Class C

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Class D

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Uncontrolled

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Airport /Facilities Directory (AFD)

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Google Map

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Class D Example

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Class D Example

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Class D Ceilings

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Special Airspace

  • Military Operations Areas (MOA)
    • Typically, over unpopulated areas for military use.
    • See published altitudes on charts
  • Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)
    • Fires
    • Special Events (Superbowl)
    • Presidential Visits
    • Not on Charts, See B4Ufly

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MOA

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TFR

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NOTAMS (notice to airmen)

  • Broadly notices that involve flight hazards.
  • TFRs
  • Navigation aid outages (like GPS)
  • Facility closures
  • Changes in procedures
  • Activities like air shows
  • UAS flights

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NOTAMS (notice to airmen)

NOTAM : 1/0412

 

FDC 1/0412 ZLA CA..AIRSPACE TULE INDIAN RESERVATION..TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WI AN AREA DEFINED AS 360857N1184604W (TTE025018.8) TO 360231N1184823W (TTE038013.0) TO 355400N1184626W (TTE078012.1) TO 355407N1182806W (TTE075026.9) TO 360028N1182642W (TTE063028.6) TO 360920N1182818W (TTE045030.4) TO POINT OF ORIGIN SFC-13000FT. TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING AVIATION OPS. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.137(A)(2) TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT. SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST TEL 559-781-5780 OR FREQ 119.0750/WINDY FIRE IS IN CHARGE OF THE OPS. LOS ANGELES /ZLA/ ARTCC TEL 661-265-8205 IS THE FAA CDN FACILITY. EFFECTIVE 2109181700 UTC UNTIL 2110310900 UTC. 2109181700-2110310900EST

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Practical Lessons

  • Be aware of where manned aircraft fly close to the ground
    • Airports (private too)
    • Traffic patterns
    • Hospitals (helipads)
  • Sky divers (ex. Lodi, Brentwood, Woodland, Lincoln)
  • Crop Dusters!
  • Don’t fly in Class B, C, D surface area without authorization.
  • Use tools
    • VFR Charts
    • Google Maps
    • Be4UFly
    • TFR

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B4UFly

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No Drone Zone Areas

  • Restricted Airspace: The FAA prohibits drone flight over certain areas of airspace.
  • Most National Parks
  • Local Restrictions:
    • In some locations, drone takeoffs and landings are restricted by state, local, territorial, or tribal government agencies. The FAA has provided No Drone Zone signage that can be used by these governments to identify areas where there are local flight restrictions.
    • It is important to note, these No Drone Zones only restrict taking off or landing and do not restrict flight in the airspace above the identified area.
  • The FAA may use the term "No Drone Zone" to identify an area where there is a TFR. Examples include, major sporting events, presidential movements, or in security sensitive areas designated by federal agencies.

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Drone Sightings

Wallace, R. J., Vance, S. M., Loffi, J. M., Jacob, J., Dunlap, J. C., Mitchell, T. A., Thomas, R., & Whyte, S. R. (2019). Cleared to Land: Pilot Visual Detection of Small Unmanned Aircraft During Final Approach. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 6(5). https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2019.1421

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Drone Sightings

  • 2018 Pilot sighting near airports (final approach)

Wallace, R. J., Vance, S. M., Loffi, J. M., Jacob, J., Dunlap, J. C., Mitchell, T. A., Thomas, R., & Whyte, S. R. (2019). Cleared to Land: Pilot Visual Detection of Small Unmanned Aircraft During Final Approach. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 6(5). https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2019.1421

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Operations Near Uncontrolled Airports

  • Commonly Class E or G
  • Runway directions (ex. 35/17)
  • Common Traffic Patterns
    • Default “left traffic” (left turns)
    • Right traffic may be specified (A/FD)
    • AGL Downwind (900’), Base (600’), Final (300’)
    • Typically ½ to 1 mile from runway.
    • Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)
    • Example radio call
  • Resources: Airnav.com, Airport Facility Directory (AFD)

Downwind

Base

Final

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AFD

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Resources

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