Airspace Classification

Airspace Classification

• Airspace is divided into categories based on level of air traffic, nature of operation, level of safety required, and national and public interest

Types of Airspace

• Controlled Airspace
• Uncontrolled Airspace
• Special Use Airspace
• Other Airspace

Prohibited Airspace

• Military Operation Areas (MOA)
• Warning areas
• Alert areas
• Controlled firing areas

Regulatory Airspace

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D
• Class E

Class A Airspace

• Generally from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600
• Pilots must operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
• Separation is provided for all aircraft
• Critical to change altimeter setting to 29.92 when climbing through 18,000 feet
• Non-RVSM separation is 2,000' vertically, RVSM separation is 1,000' vertically

Class A Requirements

• Pilot must be Instrument Rated
• Instrument Flight Plan is required
• Instrument Rated Aircraft
• Two-Radio Communication
• Transponder with Mode-C
• No speed limitation

Class B Airspace

• Generally from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding busy airports
• Configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored
• Consists of a surface area and two or more layers

Class B Requirements

• VFR minimum visibility: 3 SM visibility and clear of clouds
• Private Pilot License (Student Pilot Logbook Endorsement)
• Two-way Radio Communication
• ATC Clearance to enter
• Transponder with Mode-C
• Speed requirements: 250 knots below 10,000FT MSL, 200 knots under the Class B airspace

Class C Airspace

• Generally from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL)
• Surrounding airports that have an operational control tower and are serviced by a radar approach control

Class C Requirements

• No specific certification required
• Transponder with Mode-C
• Two-way Radio Communication with the ATC
• VFR requirements: 3SM visibility, 500FT below, 1,000FT above, and 2,000FT horizontally of any clouds
• Speed requirements: 250 knots below 10,000FT MSL, 200 knots below 2,500FT AGL and within 4NM of the primary Class C airport

Class D Airspace

• Generally from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL)
• Surrounding airports that have an operational control tower

Class D Requirements

• Student Pilot
• Two-way Radio Communication
• Visibility must be at least 3SM, cloud clearance of 500FT below, 1,000FT above, and 2,000FT horizontally of any clouds

Class E Airspace

• Generally, if the airspace is not Class A, B, C, or D, and is controlled airspace
• IFR traffic in Class E airspace is controlled by ATC

Class E Requirements

• Student Pilot License
• Two-way Radio Communication
• Below 10,000' MSL: 3 SM visibility, 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal
• Above 10,000' MSL: 5 SM visibility, 1,000' below, 1,000' above, 1 SM horizontal
• Separation is provided for IFR, SVFR, and runway operations
• VFR separation is not provided unless flight following is being used
• Speed requirements: 250 knots below 10,000' MSL

Class G Airspace

• Airspace not designated as Class A, B, C, D, or E
• Essentially uncontrolled by ATC except when associated with a temporary control tower
• No formal separation services are provided
• The PIC is responsible for looking out and avoiding other aircraft