3-1-1 General Airspace organization

Two categories / four types of airspace / dictated by

3-1-1 General

Two categories of airspace

> Regulatory (Class A, B, C, D and E airspace areas, restricted and prohibited areas); [FAA can enforce rules of operation- based on CFR's?]

vs.

> Nonregulatory (military operations areas [MOA], warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing areas [CFA], national security areas [NSA]).[Military or over int'l waters; rules not enforceable by FAA?]

Within these two categories, there are four types:

Controlled, Uncontrolled, Special use, and Other airspace.

The categories and types of airspace are dictated by:

1. The complexity or density of aircraft movements,
2. The nature of the operations conducted within the airspace,
3. The level of safety required, and
4. The national and public interest.

3-1-3 Hierarchy of Overlapping Airspace Designations

When overlapping airspace designations apply to the same airspace, what is the the operating rule?

3-1-3 Hierarchy of Overlapping Airspace Designations

When overlapping airspace designations apply to the same airspace, the operating rules associated with the more restrictive airspace designation apply. A > B > C > D > E > G

3-1-4 Basic VFR Weather Minimums

Basic VFR Weather Minimum rules?

3-1-4 Basic VFR Weather Minimums

1. Except for Special VFR, no person may operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport when the ceiling is less than 1,000 ft.

Basic VFR Weather Minimums: Visibility / Clearance from clouds

Class A NA – IFR only

Class B 3 SM / CoC

Class C 3 SM /500 ft below /1,000 ft above/2,000 ft horizontal

Class D 3 SM / 3 SM 500' blw 1,000'abv 2,000' hrzntl

Class E < 10,000 ft MSL / 3 SM500 ft below 1,000 ft above /2,000 ft horizontal

≥ 10,000'MSL / 5 SM 1,000' blw / 1,000' abv /1 sm hrzntl

Class G    ≤ 1,200 ft or less above the surface (regardless of MSL altitude).                         

D 1 SM CoC

N 3 SM 500' blw 1,000' abv 2,000' hrzntl

>1,200'abvsfc<10,000'MSL.                                        

D- 1 SM 500' blw 1,000'abv 2,000' hrzntl

N- 3 SM 500' blw 1,000'abv 2,000' hrzntl

> 1,200 ft AGL and ≥ 10,000 ft MSL - 5 SM /1,000' blw/1,000' abv/1 SM hrzntl

3-1-5 VFR Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels

VFR Cruising Altitudes and Flight Level rules?

3-1-5 VFR Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels

If your magnetic course (ground track) is:

> 3,000 feet AGL but < 18,000 feet MSL, fly:

0  to 179∘ Odd thousands MSL, plus 500 feet (3,500; 5,500; 7,500, etc.)

180  to 359∘ Even thousands MSL, plus 500 feet (4,500; 6,500; 8,500, etc.)

> 18,000 feet MSL to FL 290, fly:

0  to 179∘ Odd Flight Levels plus 500 feet (FL 195; FL 215; FL 235, etc.)

180  to 359∘ Even Flight Levels plus 500 feet (FL 185; FL 205; FL 225, etc.)

3-2-2 Class A Airspace

dimensions/geog. location/etc.

3-2-2 Class A Airspace

18,000 ft MSL up to FL 600 (60,000' msl)

w/in 12 NM off the coast; and some airspace

beyond 12 NM off the coast w/in areas of RNAV signal or radar coverage

All aircraft must operate under IFR.

3-2-3 Class B Airspace

 Class B airspace

General / dimensions / appearance on sect'ls

Certification required /required equip + deviation authorization

clearance / separation

Visibility / Cloud clearance /speed limit

VFR arrival/departure/transitioning

other: proximity hazards

3-2-3 Class B Airspace

> Surface to 10,000 ft MSL approx. busiest airports for IFR ops

> dimensions vary according to needs

> mode C transp veil around many?

> upside‐down wedding cakes struct w/ instr procedures

> solid blue; Sectional Charts, IFR En Route Low Alt, and Term'l Area Charts.

Certification / equip required:

> Private pilot cert req'd for the busiest 12 airports:

> IFR ops- operable VOR / TACAN rcvr suitable RNAV syst; and

> two‐way radio, mode C Transp, ADS-B Out rq'd

> w/in Mode C Veil both Transp w/ alt reporting + ADS-B Out rq'd

(X old planes w/o electric, must stay out of B itself)

> ATC Deviation authorization: immediate for alt reporting equip;

Transponder > 1 hr prior.

ADS-B - web authorization > 1 hr to 24 hrs prior

ATC Clearances and Separation. 

> ATC clearnc rq'd / recv sep serv

> VFR provided seq/sep fr other aircraft while ops w/in B airspace.

> VFR to primary arpt prov on workload permitting basis.

> Suspended during radar outage or CENRAP ops. (ATC will issue wind, rnwy and tower contact info)

> VFR separated from aircraft < 19,000 lb by Target resltn, or 500 ft vert sep, or Visual sep. > 19,000 and turbojets: 1.5 SM lat sep, or 500 feet vert sep, or Visual sep.

> VFR stay “clear of clouds.” [> 3 SM visibility]

> [speed <250 knt below 10,000 ft MSL]

speed < 200 kias blw cls B floor + w/in VFR corridor

VFR arrival/departure/transit flts

> clrnc rq'd  to enter / cntct ATC near "fixes" [reporting pts?]

> Blw outer class B VFR ops - comm not req'd,

but if plan to enter B contact ATC for seq/spacing. 

> Departing - advise the clearance delivery position of their intended altitude and route of flight.

> VFR aircraft usually advised when leaving Class B airspace.

Radar serv not auto terminated unless spcf stated by cntrlr.

“RESUME APPROPRIATE VFR ALTITUDES”  broadcast when  leaving Class B. Rtrn to 91.159 cruise alts. 

> VFR transiting class B may obtn clearance if traffic cndtns permit

> VFR encouraged, to op abv or blw the Class B airspace

or use VFR corridors (use freq 122.750 MHz)

> Pilots must still see and avoid other traffic, avoid wake turbulence, maint terrain / obstrct clearance.

> Pilots must obs weather mins; advise ATC if unable to comply.

Proximity ops -

careful ops near class B boundaries to avoid IFR traffic.

Use VFR plan charts (back of VFR TAC charts) and VFR flyways.

Other:

> Large turbine planes must op above the desig floors in cls B

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3-2-4 Class C Airspace

General / dimensions / charts

Visibility / Cloud clearance /speed limit

Certification/equip

VFR Arrival / Transitioning / departures / sep servs

other: proximity hazards

Class C Airspace

>  sfc to 4,000’ AGL w/ cntrl twr, / radar apprch cntrl, and have a certain number of IFR / passngr ops

>  5 NM rad core sfc / 10 NM rad shelf 1,200’ to 4,000’ AGL

>  Also: Outer Area 20 NM rad / lower limit of radio/radar coverage to ceiling of approach cntrl airspace.

> solid magenta on sectionals, also IFR low enroute, TACs

Vis/Cloud clrnc: >3 SM, 1000' abv, 500' blw, 2000' hrzntl

Speed. < 2,500 ft AGL and 4 NM of primary Cls C <  200 knots

 Op Rules and Pilot/Equip Rqrd

>  No specific pilot cert rqrd.

>  2‐way radio; Mode C transp and ADS-B Out.

Arrival or Through Flight Entry Requirements. 

>  comm estab w/ ATC prior to entry and maint.

>  Pilots give position, altitude, radar beacon code, destination, and request Class C service.

>  If cntrllr resp w/ arcrft callsign radio comm estab /ok to enter.  

Resp w/o callsign - don’t enter

When two‐way radio comm / radar estab, all VFR aircraft are:

>  Seqncd /Prov’d serv w/in cls C + outer area.

>  Prov radar serv beyond outer area on a workload permitting basis /can be term by cntrlr if busy

Aircraft Separation. 

>  VFR aircraft are sep fr IFR aircraft w/in Cls C by:

Visual sep / 500 feet vert / Target resolution.

>  Wake turb sep provided to aircraft op following large aircraft on final appr.

Departures:

>  Fr primary or sat airport w/ cntrl twr; 2‐way radio comm estab / maint

>  Fr sat arprt w/o cntrl twr: 2‐way radio comm estab as soon as pract after departing.

NOTE- Sep and seq’g of VFR aircraft susp’d if rdr out’g or CENRAP ops

>  Trfc adv / seq’g to prim arprt prov’d on wrkld permit’g basis.

>  Pilot part’n voluntary w/in outer area / can be disc’d, w/in outer area, at pilot's request.

>  Class C serv prov’d in outer area unless pilot reqst term of serv.

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3-2-5  Class D Airspace

General / dimensions / appearance on Sect'ls

Visibility / Cloud clearance /speed limit

Certification/equip/comm

arrival/departure/transitioning

clearance / separation

other: IFR extension designation / PT designation

3-2-5  Class D Airspace

General:

> sfc to/incl 2,500’ AGL (charted in MSL) w/ cntrl twr.

(below cls C or B - sfc to/not incl 2500' floor of overlying airspc)

(Radius of 5 SM or 4.4 NM)

> full-time or part-time –

PT, becomes Cls E sfc OR Cls G - sfc to overlying Cls E transition at 700’ AGL (magenta on charts) or 1200’ AGL (blue on charts).

> blue segmented lines on sect/charts

> No separation services are provided to VFR aircraft.

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 Vis/Cld clr/speed 

> 3 sm Vis / 1000 abv, 500 blw, 2000 hrzntl Cld

< 200 kts when blw 2,500’AGL w/in 4 NM

Op Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements:

> No specific certification required.

> 2-way radio is rqr’d.

> Trnspndr or ADS-B not required (no radar services)

> 2-way radio com estab w/ ATC prior to entry + maintn.

give position, altitude, destination, request(s).

cntrlr  says, “[aircraft callsign] standby,” OK to enter.  cntrlr will inform to remain outside if too busy.w/o callsign do not enter.

> Departure: fr prim: estab/maint 2‐way radio com / fr sat w/o cntrl twr: estab/maint com w/ ATC having jurisd’n asa pract. aft depart'g.

extensions: for instr appr prcdrs

extensions  2 m or less, all remain Cls D;

extensions > 2 miles; all Cls E.

eff during pub’d times of the surface area.

PT ops extnsns revert to same as sfc

[D becomes E, ext also E, D becomes G, ext becomes G]

3-2-6  Class E Airspace

General / dimensions / charts

Visibility / Cloud clearance /speed limit

Certification/equip/comm

 Types of E

3-2-6 Class E Airspace

Variety of terminal and en route purposes

dashed magenta lines on sec

sectional, terminal, low enroute charts

< 10,000 ft MSL / 3 SM, 500 ft blw 1,000 ft abv /2,000 ft hrzntl

≥ 10,000'MSL / 5 SM 1,000' blw / 1,000' abv /1 sm hrzntl

No spcfc cert req’d. No sep serv for VFR

≥ 10,000 ft MSL transponder w/ auto alt + ADS-B Out req’d  

except  ≤2,500 ft AGL (mountains)

above 3,000 ft MSL Gulf of Mexico out to 12 NM of coast -  ADS-B Out req’d (Transponder not req’d - no radar coverage)

SETFOOD Surface, Extension, Transition, Federal airway, Offshore, Other E , Domestic Enroute,

Surface area for an airport w/o Cntrl twr 

Class E surface areas extend upward from the surface to a designated altitude, or to the adjacent or overlying controlled airspace. The airspace will be configured to contain all instrument procedures.

w/ weather obs-rptg /com cpbl down to the runway surface.

Cls E sfc area may be part-time ops at Cls C or D loc (ex when the cntrl twr not in op).

Extension to a surface area. 

contain instrument appr procedures w/o imposing a com req’t on VFR

sfc extend up to overlying controlled airspace.

(For Part time twr ops: Extension remains E when sfc bc E; Ext bc G if sfc bc G)

Transition. 

transitioning aircraft to/from the terminal or en route environment.

upward fr 700 ft AGL (shown as magenta on sectionals) or 1,200 ft AGL (blue) for airports w/ instrument procedure.

remain in effect continuously, regardless of airport operating hours or surface area status.

En Route Domestic Areas. 

provide IFR en route ATC services outside Federal airway system

Federal Airways / Low-Altitude RNAV Routes. 

up from 1,200 ft AGL <18,000 ft MSL.

Low/Med Freq (L/MF) arwys (colored Fed arwys) and VOR Fed awys.

L/MF arwys based on non-dir beacons (NDB) ID as green, red, amber, blue.

VOR Fed awys based on VOR/VORTAC - ID'd by a “V” prefix.

Low-alt RNAV rts are T-routes and hlcptr RNAV rts (TK-rts).

Offshore Airspace Areas. 

Ext up fr spcfc alt to <18,000 ft MSL design’d offshore airspace areas. / provide controlled airspace >12 miles fr coast - req’t for IFR en route ATC serv

Other E: Except where at a lower altitude Cls E

>extends up fr 14,500 feet MSL (above G) to < 18,000 ft MSL

incl w/n 12 NM of coast

excl: < 1,500 ft AGL- (mountains cls G) AND  

>Cls E above A - FL 600

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3-3-1/2 Class G Airspace

General / visibility / cloud clearance

Class G Airspace

uncontrolled is not Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class.

Generally ground to overlying controlled airspace.

VFR Requirements

Min vis / dist fr clouds req’d

≤ 1,200 ft AGL (rgrdls of MSL).       

Day 1 sm Clear of clouds

Night 3 sm /500’ blw / 1,000’ abv / 2,000’ hrzntl

>1,200'abvsfc below 10,000'MSL.                                        

D- 1 SM 500' blw 1,000'abv 2,000' hrzntl

N- 3 SM 500' blw 1,000'abv 2,000' hrzntl

> 1,200 ft AGL and ≥ 10,000 ft MSL

5 SM /1,000' blw/1,000' abv/1 SM hrzntl

3-4-1/9  special use airspace

General

Obtaining Special Use Airspace Status

3-4-1/9  special use airspace (SUA)

General

> Prohibited / restricted areas are regulatory / estab in 14 CFR Part 73

> see Sects, VFR TAC, En Route chts, w/ hrs of op, alts, CA-Controlling Agency (x CFAs)

> temp RAs / temp MOAs - NOTAMs (NTAP -notice to airmen publicaiton),  SUA wbst, or contact ATC

freq is tabulated in the margins of the applicable IFR and VFR charts 

Obtaining Special Use Airspace Status

contacting the using or controlling agency.

freq is tabulated in the margins of the applicable IFR and VFR charts.

3-4-1/9  special use airspace

Prohibited Areas

purpose/appearance on sectionals

Prohibited Areas

> flight of aircraft is prohibited. security / national welfare.

on aeronautical charts.

[image]

3-4-1/9  special use airspace

Restricted Areas

purpose/sectionals

Restricted Areas

> flt subject to restrictions.

> Act's confined b/c of their nature or limits imposed on aircraft ops

> Unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles.

> Penetration without authorization is hazardous

> RA not active? /released to the CA (FAA), ATC allow ops in the RA w/o spc clrnc

> RA active? / not released to the CA (FAA), ATC issue  clrnc ensure  flt avoids the RA

> Sectionals, VFR TACs,  En Route chts.

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3-4-1/9  special use airspace

MOA's

Military Operations Areas

> Separate military training from IFR traffic.

> Nonpart’g IFR traffic may be cleared through a MOA if IFR separation can be provided by ATC or rerouted.

> air combat tactics, air intercepts, aerobatics, formation training, and low-altitude tactics.

> contact FSS within 100 miles of area to obtain info concerning hrs of op.

> Sects, VFR TACs, En Route Low Alt chts.

[image]

3-4-1/9  special use airspace

Warning Areas

purpose/sectionals

Warning Areas

> from 3 NM out from coast.

> act'y hazards to nonpart'g arcft.

[Like a MOA over water? ]

[image]

3-4-1/9  special use airspace

Alert Areas

purpose/sectionals

Alert Areas

high volume of pilot training / unusual type of aerial activity.

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3-4-1/9  special use airspace

Controlled Firing Areas

purpose/sectionals

Controlled Firing Areas

activities could be hazardous to aircraft.

acts are suspended immed when spotters ind an aircraft approaching

Not charted.

3-4-1/9  special use airspace

National Security Areas

purpose/sectionals

National Security Areas

security /safety of ground facilities.

voluntarily avoid flight through NSAs.

temp prhbtd by regs under 14 CFR 99.7. see NOTAMs.

Inquiries directed to System Operations Security.

Magneta dashed line on sectional

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3-5-1 Airport Advisory/Information Services

3-5-1 Airport Advisory/Information Services

Selected airports. Two types:

Local Airport Advisory (LAA) - Alaska

ops w/in 10 sm of airport w/o control tower but w/ FSS.

local airport advisory service to arriving and departing aircraft.

Final Guard to aircraft “on-final” or “taking-the-active-runway” until  “on-the-ground” or “airborne.”

Remote Airport Information Service (RAIS) –

short term special events like small to medium fly-ins.

NOTAM D only.

does not incl weather and/or Final Guard service.

known traffic, special event instructions, and all other services

not mandatory /encouraged to participate and provide feedback

3-5-2 Military Training Routes

3-5-2 Military Training Routes

below 10,000 ft MSL for ops > 250 knots.

 “low level” combat tactics. low‐altitude, high‐speed training.

< 1,500 ft AGL VFR. abv 1,500 ft AGL IFR.

IFR Military Training Routes-(IR). Ops on these routes are conducted in accordance with IFR regardless of weather conditions.

VFR Military Training Routes-(VR). Operations on these routes are conducted in accordance with VFR except flight visibility must be 5 miles or more; and flights must not be conducted below a ceiling of less than 3,000 feet AGL.

Military training routes will be identified and charted as follows:

Route ID:

< 1,500 ft AGL - four number characters; e.g., IR1206, VR1207.

> 1,500 ft - three number characters; e.g., IR206, VR207.

Alt IR/VR rts / sgmnts followed by a letter suffix, e.g., IR008A, VR1007B, etc.

Route charting.

IFR Enroute Low Altitude Chart. VFR Sect’l Charts. 

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3-5-3 Temporary Flight Restrictions

3-5-3 Temporary Flight Restrictions

check appropriate NOTAMs during flight planning.

“FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS” followed by:

location of the temporary flight restrictions area;

effective period;

area defined in statute miles;

altitudes affected;

FAA coordination facility and commercial telephone number;

reason for the temporary flight restrictions;

agency directing any relief activities and its commercial telephone number

>Protect persons and property - air or surface from hazards fr surface incident , low flying aircraft compound that hazard (14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(1));

>Provide a safe environment for the operation of disaster relief aircraft (14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(2)); or

>Prevent an unsafe congestion of sightseeing aircraft above an incident (14 CFR Section 91.137(a)(3)).

>Protect declared national disasters for humanitarian reasons in the State of Hawaii (14 CFR Section 91.138).

>Protect the President, Vice President, or other public figures (14 CFR Section 91.141).

>Provide a safe environment for space agency operations (14 CFR Section 91.143).

The FSS nearest the incident site is normally the “coordination facility.”

3-5-4 Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations

3-5-4 Parachute Jump Aircraft Operations

Procedures in 14 CFR Part 105.

jump areas in the U.S. are contained in the Chart Supplement U.S.

avoid releasing parachutes in an airport traffic pattern when other aircraft in pattern.

broadcasts on CTAF / monitor until parachute activity has terminated / aircraft  left area.

Prior to - broadcast the aircraft's altitude/ position, time commence and terminate,

listen to the position reports of other aircraft in the area.

3-5-5 Published VFR Routes

VFR Flyways.

3-5-5 Published VFR Routes / VFR Flyways.

general flight path not specific course near complex airspace to avoid Class B

[Generally, well away from the primary airport?]

ATC clearance is NOT required

reverse side of TAC charts

ground references provide a guide for improved visual navigation.

assist in planning flights under / around  Class B airspace w/o entering Cls  B

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3-5-5 Published VFR Routes

 VFR Corridors

VFR Corridors.

few Class B areas for the passage of uncontrolled traffic.

defined vertical and lateral boundaries,

No ATC clearance or comm w/ ATC required [unless otherwise noted on TAC?]

“hole” through Class B

surrounded by Class B / does not extend down to the surface like a VFR Flyway.

 [image]

3-5-5 Published VFR Routes

Class B Airspace VFR Transition Routes.

Class B Airspace VFR Transition Routes.

VFR through certain Class B airspace, such as Seattle, Phoenix and Los Angeles,  Class B  specific flight course ( on TACs) for transiting a specific Class B airspace.

include specific ATC‐assigned altitudes,

must obtain an ATC clearance prior to entering Class B airspace on the route.

show the pilot where to position the aircraft outside of, or clear of, the Class B airspace where an ATC clearance can normally be expected with minimal or no delay.

Until ATC authorization is received, pilots must remain clear of Class B airspace.

On initial contact, pilots should advise ATC of their position, altitude, route name desired, and direction of flight.

After a clearance is received, pilots must fly the route as depicted and, most importantly, adhere to ATC instructions.

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3-5-7

       Special Air Traffic Rules (SATR)

and Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)

3-5-7 Special Air Traffic Rules (SATR) / Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)

SFRAs - defined dim'ns, w/in which flts subject to SATRs -

14 CFR Part 93
Rules diff fr other airspc cls;

Some VFR flywys, cordrs, transtns now SFRAs]

examples:Hudson river (east river)

/LA / Wash DC / Grand canyon

VFR sect'l, term'l area

 [image]

3-5-8 WRA

WRA

3-5-8 Weather Reconnaissance Area (WRA)

Hurricane Hunters from the USAF Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS) and NOAA Aircraft Operations Center operate weather reconnaissance missions,

WRAs - defined dimensions and published by a NOTAM,

Only participating aircraft from permitted to operate within a WRA.

wholly contained within U.S. FIRs.

non-participating aircraft should avoid WRAs, / IFR aircraft should expect to be rerouted