Controlled Airspace

Controlled airspace involves different classifications and dimensions where air traffic control (ATC) services are provided according to the airspace classification. The classifications of controlled airspace are:

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

Class A Airspace:

Class A airspace encompasses airspace from 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) up to and including flight level (FL) 600, covering areas over waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast. Operations in Class A airspace are typically under instrument flight rules (IFR).

Class B Airspace:

Class B airspace ranges from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL and surrounds the busiest airports. It consists of a surface area and multiple layers to accommodate instrument procedures, with ATC clearance needed for aircraft operations within the area.

Class C Airspace:

Class C airspace extends from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation around airports with control towers and radar approach control. Aircraft must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility before entering and maintain communication while within the airspace.

Class D Airspace:

Class D airspace is from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation encircling airports with operational control towers. It requires two-way radio communications with the ATC facility before entering and during operations within the airspace.

Class E Airspace:

Class E airspace encompasses controlled airspace not defined as Class A, B, C, or D. It is widespread in the US, providing safe aircraft control during IFR operations. Class E airspace typically extends up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL, with some areas starting at different altitudes depending on the chart.

Uncontrolled Airspace

Class G Airspace

Uncontrolled airspace or Class G airspace is the portion of the airspace that has not been designated as Class A, B, C, D, or E. It is therefore designated uncontrolled airspace. Class G airspace extends from the surface to the base of the overlying Class E airspace.

Special Use Airspace

Special use airspace, also known as special area of operation (SAO), designates airspace for specific activities or limits aircraft operations within that area. This airspace can lead to restrictions on mixed-use airspace. Important details about special use airspace on instrument charts include:

• Area name or number
• Effective altitude
• Time and weather conditions of operation
• Controlling agency
• Chart panel location

The special use airspace typically includes:

• Prohibited areas
• Restricted areas
• Warning areas
• Military operation areas (MOAs)
• Alert areas
• Controlled firing areas (CFAs)

Prohibited Areas:

• Airspace where flight is strictly prohibited due to security or national welfare reasons
• Identified on aeronautical charts with a "P" followed by a number

Restricted Areas:

• Airspace with restrictions due to hazards to nonparticipating aircraft
• Marked on charts as an "R" followed by a number
• Authorization is required for IFR flights to transit

Warning Areas:

• Airspace extending from the U.S. coast, warning of potential hazards
• Designated with a "W" followed by a number

Military Operation Areas (MOAs):

• Airspace for military training activities separated from IFR traffic
• Not numbered and depicted on relevant aeronautical charts

Alert Areas:

• Areas with high pilot training or unusual aerial activity
• Identified on charts with an "A" followed by a number

Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs):

• Contain hazardous activities that must be controlled to safeguard aircraft
• Not charted as they don't require nonparticipating aircraft to alter their path

Other Airspace Areas

“Other airspace areas” is a general term referring to the

majority of the remaining airspace. It includes:

• Local airport advisory (LAA)

• Military training route (MTR)

• Temporary flight restriction (TFR)

• Parachute jump aircraft operations

• Published VFR routes

• Terminal radar service area (TRSA)

• National security area (NSA)

• Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) land and

water based and need for Defense VFR (DVFR) flight

plan to operate VFR in this airspace

Air Traffic Control

Air Traffic Control (ATC) plays a crucial role in preventing collisions between aircraft and ensuring the smooth flow of air traffic. Here are key points related to ATC and the National Airspace System:

• ATC provides services to prevent collisions and organize traffic flow, subject to certain limitations and factors that may affect service provision.
• Controllers must provide additional services when feasible and necessary, based on workload and other circumstances.
• Deviation from standard procedures is allowed in specific cases, such as emergencies or to conform to regulations.

Coordination of airspace use is essential for ATC to ensure safety and efficiency. Here are some points related to coordinating airspaces:

• ATC must coordinate with relevant controllers before issuing instructions that impact an aircraft under another controller's jurisdiction.
• Control instructions should be coordinated with all controllers affected by the changes, unless specified otherwise in agreements or directives.

Understanding the different types of airspace and their operational requirements is crucial for pilots. Here are important considerations regarding airspace:

• Pilots need to be familiar with the requirements for each class of airspace, considering factors like weather, pilot certificate, and equipment.
• Specific weather minimums must be followed when operating in controlled airspace, and exceptions are detailed in regulations such as 14 CFR part 91.

Visual Flight Rule Terms and Symbols

VFR Cloud Clearance requirements for Drones are much more simple than requirements for manned aircraft. Simply remember the 3-52 rule for all airspace.

3 Statute Miles of Visibility

500 Feet Below Clouds

2,000 Feet Horizontally from clouds

Never above clouds. (How could you visually see your drone?

Remote pilots should be familiar with Visual Flight Rules (VFR) terms and symbols as outlined by the FAA Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide:

• All information on the VFR Terms tab
• The following sections under “VFR Aeronautical Chart Symbols” on the VFR Symbols tab:
  • Airports
  • Airspace Information
  • Navigational and Procedural Information
  • Chart Limits
  • Culture Chapter 2: Airspace Classification

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) are essential for safe flight operations and include:

• Hazards such as air shows, parachute jumps, kite flying, and rocket launches
• Flights by important people like heads of state
• Inoperable lights on tall obstructions
• Temporary erection of obstacles near airfields
• Passage of flocks of birds through airspace (BIRDTAM)

NOTAMs can be accessed in various ways:

• Printed form through subscription from the Superintendent of Documents
• Online via PilotWeb for current NOTAM information
• Local airport NOTAMs available on websites like fltplan.com and aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html
• Free registration and acceptance of terms usually required on these sites