Airspace Defined
Class A
Students struggle with the interpretation of airspace all the time! For that reason, Airspace is a big segment in our live CFI Ground school. With that being said we thought this Airspace checklist would be a great addition to our collection of content centered around Airspace. Get it for free by clicking below!
We've created this checklist with images and break downs of each individual airspace. Combined with the "Must-Knows", we are sure this will help you fully understand and gain confidence with interpreting airspace on aeronautical charts.
Only IFR flights are permitted, all flights are provided with air traffic control service and are separated from each other. All flights are IFR equipped and an Instrument rating is the minimum certificate required to be held.
Both IFR and VFR flights are allowed. All flights are provided with air traffic control service and are separated from each other. Airplanes must two-way radio communication, a transponder with altitude reporting capability. Entering the airspace requires a clearance.
Class B
Class C
Both IFR and VFR flights are allowed. All flights are provided with air traffic control service and IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and from VFR flights. VFR flights are separated from IFR flights and receive traffic information. Pilots must establish two-way radio communication prior to entry. Aircraft must have two-way radio communications with a transponder with altitude reporting.
Class D
IFR and VFR flights are permitted and all flights are provided with air traffic control service. IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and receive traffic information with respect to VFR traffic. VFR flights receive traffic information as well when workload permits. Pilots must establish two-way radio communications prior to entry. The aircraft requires two-way radio equipment needed.
Class E
IFR and VFR flights are permitted. IFR flights are provided with air traffic control services and are separated from other IFR flights. All flights receive traffic information when requested, as controller workload permits. Unless services are required from air traffic control there is no requirement for the airplane to have two-way radio communications capability. A transponder is only required at 10,000 feet MSL and above. Pilots DO NOT have to establish two-way communications or obtain a clearance.
Class G
IFR and VFR flights are permitted. There are no communications, or transponder requirements. Pilots may operate freely without clearance or establishing two-way communications with ATC.
Class E & G airspace Explained
Now you'll finally get it!
Charted Class E and G airspace
The note in the legend that no one seems to see
Class E starting at the Surface, 700 agl, 1200 agl, and non-standard altitudes.
Class G below 1200 agl, from the surface to but not including 14,500 MSL
The mystery of the blue shading
Full Video on "E & G Airspace" from our Power-Hour-Lessons
Click here to join our Membership Site
7-DAY FREE Trial
Airspace Clearances
Full Video on "Airspace" from our Online Course
Description
This lesson covers the airspace, cloud clearances, entry and equipment requirements and more. Also covered is how to teach airspace and the differences between class E and G and how to teach those differences with practical examples.
Cement your Airspace Knowledge
After you've checked out our Airspace Checklist, and have mastered each kind of airspace, you can then cement your knowledge by testing yourself or your Student with our Airspace Flash Cards.
Previously the problem has been that you can't test yourself to see if you are right or not. You can open a chart and ask yourself what the airspace is at this point and the next, but you don't know if you are right. You would typically have to pay a CFI to sit with you and point on a chart and then they would tell you if you got it right. On your own you might just be practicing the wrong answers over and over again.
With the Airspace Flash Cards, you can actually practice by yourself and then see if you are right. Not only do we tell you what the airspace is, but there are explanations of why it is that kind of airspace.
There are over 100 chart excerpts from sectional charts from all over the United States. There are over 50 images that are designed to help you identify airspace and another 50 plus that require you to determine the entry requirements, cloud clearances and visibilities or ATC authorizations. Each image has a big black arrow pointing somewhere on a chart with a question. On the very next page you'll get the answer first, followed by an explanation of why.
Finally here is a product that lets you practice and know if you are right or wrong and why.