Airspace

 

National Airspace System (PHAK chapter 14)

What is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled airspace?

Class G is the only uncontrolled airspace. ATC has no jurisdiction.

What are the different classes of airspace? Requirements? Weather minimums?

A   Class Alpha

– FL 180 to FL 600

 – Instrument Rating and IFR flight plan needed

– Mode C Transponder and 2-way radio communication

 – No weather minimums

 

B  Class Bravo

– Upside down wedding cake design up to 10,000 MSL

– Endorsement needed if student pilot

– Clearance from ATC required to enter

– Mode C Transponder required any time within 30 nm (mode C veil)

– 3 miles visibility and clear of clouds

–       Solid Blue 70/30  Ceiling /Shelf /Floor

Figure 1 Class Bravo Airspace - Solid Blue

C  Class Charlie

– Inner core 5 nm radius and from surface to 4500 AGL

– outer core 10 nm radius and from 1200' AGL to 4000' AGL

– Mode C Transponder and 2 way radio communication

– 3 miles visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds

-        Solid Magenta   43/SFC  Ceiling 4300’  Floor Surface

         

Figure 2 Class Charlie Airspace - Solid Magenta

D  Class Delta

– 4 nm radius and from surface to 2500' AGL

– 2 way radio communications

– 3 miles visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds

-        Dash Blue Circle

             

Figure 3 Class Delta Airspace - Broken Blue

 

 

E  Class Echo

– Can start at the surface, 700' AGL, or 1200' AGL and may extend up to but not including FL 180

– Class E also exists above FL 600

– No equipment requirements

- Below 10,000’: 3 miles visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds

– Above 10,000’: 5 miles visibility and 1000' above 1000' below and 1 mile horizontal from clouds

-        Dash Magenta Circle

 

Figure 4 Class Echo Airspace - Broken Magenta

 

Figure 5 Class Echo Airspace- Magenta Floor is 700' above surface

 

 G  Class Gulf

– uncontrolled airspace

– may start at the surface and can go as high as 14,500' MSL or 1200' AGL

 – no equipment requirements

– Below 1200' AGL : 1 mile visibility and clear of clouds

– Above 1200' AGL but below 10,000' MSL : 1 mile visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds

– At night: 3 miles visibility and 1000' above 500' below and 2000' horizontal from clouds

– Above 10000' : 5 miles visibility and 1000' above 1000' below and 1 mile horizontal from clouds

  

What airspace are we in right now? Class D

What altitude does KMYF airspace go up to? 2,900'

What airspace is directly above KMYF airspace? Class E begins above 2900’ and continues until 4800’ where it becomes class B.

Class E and G above 10,000'  5-111

Class B  3 -clear of clouds

Class C,D,E and G at night  3-152

Class G below 10,000' 1-111

Class G below 1200' AGL 1 -clear of clouds

 

What are the different types of Special Use Airspace? WCRAMP (AIM 3-4-1) (PHAK 14-3)

Warning Areas – Extends from 3nm outward from the U.S. coast – invisible hazardous to non-participating aircraft.

Controlled Firing Areas (does not appear on charts) – Activities that could be hazardous are suspended immediately when a spotter detects an aircraft.

Restricted – Unusual and oftentimes invisible hazards such as artillery or missile firing. When the restricted areas is active pilots will need to get permission from the controlling authority to enter.

Alert – May contain a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity. No clearance is needed to enter but all pilots should be very alert.

Military Operation Area – Military training such as aerial intercepts, formation flying, and low altitude tactics is conducted in these areas. Contact FSS to obtain hours of operation and it is advised to contact controlling agency for traffic advisories. Permission is not needed to enter, but pilots must exercise extreme caution.

Prohibited – Areas designated for national security or welfare. Flight in this area is prohibited.

 

What are the different types of "Other Airspace Areas"?

 

Local Airport Advisory – operated within 10sm or airport with FSS but no operating control tower.

 

Military Training Routes – Military aircraft travelling in excess of 250kts

Routes designated by (IR) are IFR

Routes designated by (VR) are VFR when visibility is 5sm or greater and ceilings are at least 3000’

Routes with no segment above 1500’ AGL are identified by 4 numbers. For example (VR) 1205. If there is a segment above 1500, the route will be identified by only 3 numbers.

 

Temporary Flight Restriction – Established to protect the President or other VIPs, provide a safe environment for disaster relief, or to prevent aircraft from sight-seeing over public events.

 

Parachute Jump Zones – check A/FD for details

 

Published VFR Routes – Published on TACs to provide VFR aircraft with a means to transition around, under, or through complex airspace. For example, Coastal Route, Mini Route, Special Flight Rule, Hollywood Park Route or Coliseum Route

Terminal Radar Service Areas – Pilots can voluntarily receive radar services from TRACON so that IFR and VFR traffic can have separation. Participation is encouraged. It can be identified on the chart by a heavy grey line (see Palm Springs)

 

National Security Areas – They exist where there is a need for heightened security and safety of ground facilities. Sometimes flight in this area is prohibited but otherwise pilots are encouraged to stay away from these areas.

When do we need a Mode C transponder? (91.215)

Class A, B, C airspace. Inside of the mode C veil, above class C airspace, and above 10000'