Airspace Classes

• Airspace classes dictate equipment and weather minimums.

Class A Airspace

• Extends from FL 180 to FL 600.
• Requires an instrument rating and IFR flight plan.
• Requires a Mode C transponder and two-way radio communication.
• Has no weather minimums.

Class B Airspace

• Depicted as an upside-down wedding cake shape, up to 10,000 feet MSL.
• Student pilots need an endorsement to operate here.
• Requires clearance from ATC to enter.
• Requires a Mode C transponder within 30 nm (Mode C veil).
• Requires 3 miles visibility and clear of clouds.

Class C Airspace

• Inner core: 5 nm radius, surface to 4,500 feet AGL.
• Outer core: 10 nm radius, 1,200 feet AGL to 4,000 feet AGL.
• Requires a Mode C transponder and two-way radio communication.
• Requires 3 miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.

Class D Airspace

• 4 nm radius, surface to 2,500 feet AGL.
• Requires two-way radio communications.
• Requires 3 miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.

Class E Airspace

• Can begin at the surface, 700 feet AGL, or 1,200 feet AGL, extending up to (but not including) FL 180.
• Exists above FL 600.
• Has no equipment requirements.
• Below 10,000 feet MSL requires 3 miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.
• Above 10,000 feet MSL requires 5 miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, and 1 mile horizontal from clouds.

Class G Airspace

• Uncontrolled airspace.
• Can start at the surface and extend up to 14,500 feet MSL or 1,200 feet AGL.
• Has no equipment requirements.
• Below 1,200 feet AGL requires 1 mile visibility and clear of clouds.
• Above 1,200 feet AGL, but below 10,000 feet MSL requires 1 mile visibility, 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds. At night, 3 miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontal from clouds.
• Above 10,000 feet MSL requires 5 miles visibility, 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, and 1 mile horizontal from clouds.

Special Use Airspace Types (WCRAMP)

• Warning Areas: Extend 3 nm outward from the U.S. coast and contain hazards to nonparticipating aircraft.
• Controlled Firing Areas: Hazardous activities are immediately suspended when an aircraft is spotted; these areas do not appear on charts.
• Restricted Areas: Contain unusual, often invisible hazards like artillery or missile firing; pilots need permission from the controlling authority to enter when active.
• Alert Areas: May contain a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity; no clearance is needed, but pilots should be very alert.
• Military Operation Areas (MOA): Military training occurs here, such as aerial intercepts and low-altitude tactics; contact FSS for hours of operation and the controlling agency for traffic advisories; pilots should exercise extreme caution.
• Prohibited Areas: Designated for national security or welfare; flight in these areas is prohibited.