How to Teach Airspace
Outline:
Lesson Setup
Ensure students have ForeFlight installed and that their iOS is updated.
Walk through how to check for app updates:
Open App Store
Click on updates
Ensure ForeFlight is up to date
Configure ForeFlight settings:
Click "More" > "Downloads" to ensure all required charts and maps are available.
Enable "Map Touch Action" to bring chart legends into view
How NOT to Teach Airspace
Avoid drawing everything on a whiteboard—students may find this overwhelming.
Avoid handing out printed airspace diagrams without context.
Instead, introduce airspace gradually, break it down into structured lessons, and use live charts in ForeFlight.
Memorization Exercise (Pre-Lesson)
Before starting airspace training, students must memorize the five cases of airspace cloud clearance and visibility rules:
1 mile, clear of clouds
3 miles, clear of clouds
1 mile, 500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal
3 miles, 500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal
5 miles, 1,000 above, 1,000 below, 1 mile horizontal
Purpose: This helps students avoid confusion later when they try to mix rules incorrectly (e.g., "5 miles clear of clouds" is incorrect).
Step 1: Understanding ForeFlight’s Map Legend
Navigate to ForeFlight’s Map Settings
Ensure "Sectional Charts" are turned on
Disable distractions like weather overlays to focus on airspace.
Step 2: Recognizing Different Classes of Airspace
Class B (Bravo) Airspace
Depicted by solid cyan lines
Example: Charlotte, NC (CLT)
Altitude range: 4,000 feet to 10,000 feet
Mode C Veil (30 NM radius) requires a transponder
Class C (Charlie) Airspace
Depicted by solid magenta lines
Example: Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
Has cutouts:
Inner ring: Surface to 4,400 feet
Outer ring: 1,700 to 4,400 feet
Class D (Delta) Airspace
Depicted by dashed cyan lines
Example: Hickory Regional (HKY)
Altitude range printed inside the circle:
Example: "3,700" means Class D extends up to 3,700 feet MSL.
Class E (Echo) Airspace
Dashed magenta line = Class E starts at surface
Shaded magenta = Class E starts at 700 feet AGL
Shaded blue = Class E starts at 1,200 feet AGL
Unshaded areas = Class E starts at 14,500 feet MSL
Class G (Golf) Airspace
Exists below Class E airspace
Can extend to 14,500 feet MSL in remote areas
Example locations: New Mexico, Texas, Alaska
Step 3: Interactive Student Exercises
Navigate to different locations (e.g., San Francisco, Charlotte, Raleigh)
Identify different airspaces using ForeFlight’s legend
Explain how altitude cutouts and Mode C veils work
Attaching Cloud Clearance & Visibility to Airspace
Airspace | Visibility & Cloud Clearance |
Class B | 3 miles, clear of clouds |
Class G (Daytime, Below 1200' AGL) | 1 mile, clear of clouds |
Class E/G (Above 10,000’ MSL) | 5 miles, 1000 above, 1000 below, 1 mile horizontal |
Class C/D/E (Below 10,000’ MSL) | 3 miles, 500 below, 1000 above, 2000 horizontal |
Class G (Nighttime, Below 1200' AGL) | 3 miles, 500 below, 1000 above, 2000 horizontal |
Cloud Clearance Exercise
Instructor selects random locations on a sectional chart
Students must identify airspace type and cloud clearance rules
Reinforce until students respond correctly without hesitation
Speed Limits
Location | Speed Limit |
Below 10,000’ MSL | 250 knots |
Above 10,000’ MSL | No limit up to Mach 1 |
Class B Airspace | 250 knots |
Below Class B / In a corridor | 200 knots |
Class C/D (Within 4 NM, below 2500’ AGL) | 200 knots |
Pilot & Equipment Requirements
Airspace | Pilot Certificate | Equipment |
Class G | None required | None |
Class E (<10,000’ MSL) | None required | None |
Class E (>10,000’ MSL) | None required | Transponder |
Class D | Student Pilot | Two-way radio |
Class C | Student Pilot | Two-way radio & Transponder |
Class B | Student Pilot (with endorsement) | Clearance, Two-way radio, Transponder |
Airspace Requirements
Airspace | Clearance Required? | Key Feature |
TRSA (Terminal Radar Service Area) | No | Optional radar service |
MOA (Military Operations Area) | No | High-speed military training |
Restricted Area | Yes | Live fire, military activities |
Prohibited Area | Yes (Not allowed) | National security risk |
Warning Area | No | Offshore military operations |
Alert Area | No | High volume training flights |
Military Training Routes (MTRs) | No | Low-altitude military flight paths |
Special VFR (SVFR)
Allows VFR operations in controlled airspace to the surface
Daytime requirement: 1 mile, clear of clouds
Nighttime requirement: Instrument rating & IFR-equipped aircraft
Not allowed at certain Class B airports.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
Found in ForeFlight
Examples:
Presidential movements
Wildfire areas
Sporting events
Space launches
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