Airspace Classifications Quiz

Airspace extending from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600. This is the most restrictive class of airspace.

Created in the 1960s to provide advisory services to high-altitude aircraft, particularly turbojets. They evolved into today's Class A airspace.

Changes in heading issued by ATC to ensure separation between aircraft. They're used to keep aircraft safely apart in the airspace.

Aircraft operating according to visual flight rules. They rely on visual references like landmarks and other aircraft to navigate.

Aircraft operating according to instrument flight rules. They rely on instruments and ATC communication to navigate.

The process of ensuring that aircraft are kept at a safe distance from each other, preventing collisions.

Controllers were required to monitor every IFR aircraft on a jet route using radar, ensuring separations.

The controllers were usually not in radio contact with VFR aircraft, making their actions less predictable.

Airspace configuration specific to each airport, tailored for instrument procedures when published.

Pilots must establish and maintain two-way radio communication with the control tower before and during their time in Class D airspace.

At airports where the control tower is not active 24/7, the operating hours are listed in charts and publications.

When the tower is not operational, the rules shift to Class E surface areas or a combination of Class E and Class G rules based on altitude.

Class D airspace is depicted on sectional and terminal charts with blue segmented lines and on IFR charts with a boxed 'D'.

Instrument approach procedure extensions can be Class D or Class E, depending on their length.

Aircraft within Class D airspace, at or below 2,500 feet, are generally limited to 200 knots indicated airspeed, unless authorized by ATC.

IFR aircraft can operate in Class D if cleared by ATC, while VFR pilots can fly through as long as weather minima and cloud separation requirements are met.

Class D airspace is a direct, controlled airspace around airports with operational control towers, requiring pilots to maintain communication with the tower.

Airspace extending upward from 700 or 1,200 feet AGL, used to transition between terminal and en route environments.

Airspace extending from a specified altitude upward, providing IFR en route ATC services in areas where the federal airway system is inadequate.

Airspace designated above 1,200 feet AGL in most US airspace east of the Rockies, providing controlled airspace for IFR flights.

Airspace designated around airports, containing all instrument procedures to ensure safe landings and takeoffs.

Class E airspace extensions that extend above Class B, C, or D surface areas to encompass standard instrument approach procedures.

Airspace extending upward from a specified altitude to 18,000 feet MSL, designated for offshore operations.

Class E airspace extending upward from a specified altitude, usually with an undefined upper limit except at the boundaries of other controlled airspace.

Class E airspace below 14,500 feet MSL, charted on sectional, terminal, world, and IFR en route low-altitude charts.

A type of Class E airspace that is not allowed at airports.

Ensuring that aircraft on IFR flight plans remain in controlled airspace throughout their flight.

The altitude at or above which pilots use a standard altimeter setting (29.92 inches of mercury), ensuring consistent altitude measurements for all aircraft.

The standard altimeter setting used for altitudes at or above 18,000 feet MSL (transition level) providing a common reference point for all aircraft operating in that airspace.

A cruising altitude at or above 18,000 feet MSL, expressed using three digits representing hundreds of feet, e.g., FL 250 is 25,000 feet.

A level of constant atmospheric pressure related to a reference datum of 29.92 inches of mercury. It is used for flight levels and is expressed using three digits representing hundreds of feet.

The altimeter is set to 29.92 inches of mercury when operating at or above 18,000 feet MSL, which provides a common reference point for pilots. This practice leads to consistency in altitude measurements and reduces the risk of collisions.

An established point in the sky, typically 200 miles from the destination, where ATC requires aircraft to navigate through before entering the terminal airspace.

A system of pre-defined waypoints organized in a grid over the United States, used for flight plan filing and operation in high-altitude airspace. Waypoints are arranged every 30 minutes of latitude and every 2 degrees of longitude.

A type of airspace fix defined on en route charts, used to provide increased navigational flexibility to pilots during takeoff and departure.

Predefined airspace fixes published on en route charts used specifically for navigating areas with special use airspace, such as military zones or restricted areas.

The first three characters are 'K' (ICAO identifier of the United States), followed by a second character signifying the ARTCC where the waypoint resides and five characters overall. Waypoints are a critical element of the Navigation Reference System.

The initial NRS implementation establishes waypoints every 30 minutes of latitude and every 2 degrees of longitude. As technology advances, the resolution will be increased to every 10 minutes of latitude by 1 degree of longitude, providing a more precise grid system.