Normal Airspace

Private Pilot License (PPL) Notes
Aviation Resources

This section covers the understanding of the airspace system in the United States, including the classifications, requirements, and rules for different classes of airspace.

Overview of Airspace Classification

1. Airspace designation is driven by the activities that occur within it.
2. The purpose of different airspace rules is safety.
3. The level of control in an area depends on:
   1. The density of aircraft.
   2. The types of operations.
   3. The level of safety required.
   4. The national and public interest.
4. Airspace is divided into:
   1. Controlled Airspace (Classes A, B, C, D, and E).
   2. Uncontrolled Airspace (Class G).
   3. Special Use Airspace.
   4. Other Airspace Areas.
5. Controlled Airspace is generally where Air Traffic Control (ATC) services are provided.
6. The United States airspace follows the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) classification system:
   1. Class A: High-altitude operations.
   2. Class B: Busy airport areas.
   3. Class C: Moderate traffic airports.
   4. Class D: Smaller towered airports.
   5. Class E: Controlled airspace not designated as A, B, C, or D.
   6. Class G: Uncontrolled airspace.
7. Note: There is no Class F airspace in the United States.

Class A Airspace

1. Extends from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including Flight Level 600 (60,000 feet).
2. All operations must be conducted under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
3. Pilot requirements for Class A airspace:
   1. Must be instrument rated and equipped.
   2. Set altimeters to the standard pressure setting of 29.92 inHg.
   3. Obtain an ATC clearance before entering.
   4. Maintain two-way radio communication with ATC.
4. Class A airspace is not depicted on charts.

Class B Airspace

1. Surrounds major airports with high volumes of air traffic.
2. Shape resembles an upside-down wedding cake.
3. Extends from the surface up to typically 10,000 feet MSL.
4. Aircraft operating within Class B airspace:
   1. Permitted to maintain up to 250 knots indicated airspeed.
   2. Below overhanging layers, limited to 200 knots indicated airspeed.
5. Requirements to operate in Class B airspace:
   1. Receive authorization from ATC before entering.
   2. Maintain two-way radio communication with ATC.
   3. Have an operating transponder with altitude reporting and ADS-B Out capabilities.
   4. Pilot requirements:
      1. Must hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate.
      2. Student, Recreational, and Sport Pilots:
         1. May operate with specific training and logbook endorsement.
         2. Some Class B areas prohibit student pilots from taking off or landing at the primary airport.
6. VFR weather minimums in Class B airspace:
   1. Visibility: 3 statute miles.
   2. Must remain clear of clouds.
7. Depicted on Terminal Area Charts, Sectional Charts, and Low Altitude En Route Charts with solid blue lines.

Class C Airspace

1. Surrounds airports with moderate volumes of air traffic.
2. Shape resembles a two-layer upside-down wedding cake.
3. Typically extends up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (AGL).
4. Requirements to operate in Class C airspace:
   1. Establish two-way radio communication with ATC before entering.
      1. No explicit clearance required; acknowledgement of call sign suffices.
   2. Hold at least a Student Pilot Certificate.
   3. Have an operating transponder with altitude reporting and ADS-B Out capabilities within and above Class C airspace.
5. VFR weather minimums in Class C airspace:
   1. Visibility: 3 statute miles.
   2. Cloud clearance:
      1. 500 feet below.
      2. 1,000 feet above.
      3. 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
6. Depicted on VFR charts with solid magenta circles.

Class D Airspace

1. Surrounds tower-controlled airports not associated with Class B or C airspace.
2. Requirements to operate in Class D airspace:
   1. Establish two-way radio communication with ATC before entering.
   2. No explicit clearance required.
   3. Hold at least a Student Pilot Certificate.
3. Depicted on VFR charts with segmented blue lines.
4. Vertical boundaries are charted inside a segmented box in hundreds of feet MSL.
5. Class D airspace may revert to Class E or G when the tower is not in operation.

Class E Airspace

1. Controlled airspace not designated as Class A, B, C, or D.
2. Extends from:
   1. The surface at some non-towered airports.
   2. A floor of 700 or 1,200 feet AGL in other areas.
   3. Up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL.
3. Requirements for VFR flight in Class E airspace:
   1. No radio communication required.
   2. VFR weather minimums below 10,000 feet MSL:
      1. Visibility: 3 statute miles.
      2. Cloud clearance:
         1. 500 feet below.
         2. 1,000 feet above.
         3. 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
   3. VFR weather minimums at or above 10,000 feet MSL:
      1. Visibility: 5 statute miles.
      2. Cloud clearance:
         1. 1,000 feet below.
         2. 1,000 feet above.
         3. 1 statute mile horizontally from clouds.
4. To take off, land, or enter the traffic pattern of an airport in Class E airspace:
   4. Minimum ceiling of 1,000 feet.
   5. Minimum visibility of 3 statute miles.
   6. Special VFR clearance:
   1. Allows operation with visibility of at least 1 statute mile and clear of clouds.
   2. Must be requested by the pilot.
   3. At night, pilot must be instrument rated to operate under Special VFR.
5. Depicted on VFR charts in various ways:
   1. Class E with floor of 700 feet AGL: within magenta vignette.
   2. Class E with floor of 1,200 feet AGL: outside magenta vignette.
   3. Class E with different floors: depicted by jagged blue lines with floor altitude specified.

Class G Airspace

1. Uncontrolled airspace extending from the surface up to the overlying Class E airspace.
2. No requirement to communicate with ATC.
3. VFR weather minimums vary by altitude and time of day:
   1. Below 1,200 feet AGL:
      1. Day:
         1. Visibility: 1 statute mile.
         2. Cloud clearance: Clear of clouds.
      2. Night:
         1. Visibility: 3 statute miles.
         2. Cloud clearance:
            1. 500 feet below.
            2. 1,000 feet above.
            3. 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
   2. Above 1,200 feet AGL and below 10,000 feet MSL:
      1. Day:
         1. Visibility: 1 statute mile.
         2. Cloud clearance:
            1. 500 feet below.
            2. 1,000 feet above.
            3. 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
      2. Night:
         1. Visibility: 3 statute miles.
         2. Cloud clearance:
            1. 500 feet below.
            2. 1,000 feet above.
            3. 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
   3. At or above 10,000 feet MSL:
      1. Day and Night:
         1. Visibility: 5 statute miles.
         2. Cloud clearance:
            1. 1,000 feet below.
            2. 1,000 feet above.
            3. 1 statute mile horizontally from clouds.

Understanding the different classes of airspace and their requirements is crucial for safe and legal flying. Always refer to current charts and regulations before flight.