Airspace Classes Overview

Introduction

• Airspace classes refer to different types of airspace as defined by the FAA using letters (e.g., Class A, Class B).
• Divided into controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
• Controlled: Managed by ATC (Air Traffic Control).
• Uncontrolled: Not managed by ATC.

Controlled Airspace

Class A (Class Alpha)

• Covers the entire United States.
• Altitude: 18,000ft MSL to 60,000ft MSL.
• IFR only (Instrument Flight Rules).
• Not depicted on charts.
• Requires:
  • Mode C transponder
  • ADS-B Out
  • DME above FL240.
• Speed limit: Mach 1.

Class B (Class Bravo)

• Located around the 37th busiest airports in major cities.
• Depicted on sectional charts with solid blue lines.
• Altitude blocks listed in hundreds of feet MSL.
• Structure resembles an upside-down wedding cake.
• Inner sector from surface to ~10,000ft MSL.
• 30nm Mode C veil surrounds Class B (magenta circle on charts).
• Requirements:
  • ATC clearance
  • Mode C transponder
  • ADS-B Out
• VFR weather minimums: 3 statute miles visibility, clear of clouds.
• Speed limits:
  • 250 knots inside Class B
  • 200 knots below Class B and through VFR corridors.

Class C (Class Charlie)

• Found around medium-sized cities.
• Depicted with magenta lines on sectional charts.
• Inner core: Surface to ~4,000ft AGL, radius of 5 NM.
• Outer shell: 1,200ft AGL to 4,000ft AGL, radius of 10 NM.
• VFR cloud clearance: 1,000ft above, 500ft below, 2,000ft horizontal.
• Speed limits:
  • 200 knots within 4 NM of airport
  • 250 knots below 10,000ft MSL.
• Requirements:
  • Two-way radio communication
  • Mode C transponder
  • ADS-B Out

Class D (Class Delta)

• Serves airports less busy than Class C.
• Depicted with dashed blue lines on sectional charts.
• Resembles a cylinder: Surface to ~2,500ft AGL, 4-5 NM radius.
• VFR weather minimums same as Class C.
• Speed limit: 200 knots.
• Requirement: Two-way radio communication with ATC.

Class E (Class Echo)

• Controlled airspace not classified as A, B, C, or D.
• "E" stands for "Everywhere else."
• Typical floor: 1,200ft AGL.
• Transition areas depicted by shaded magenta on charts.
  • Floor starts at 700ft AGL on faded side.
  • Surface level on solid side.
• Special cases:
  • Starts at 14,500ft MSL in rare areas (blue vignette on charts).
  • Extends to but not including Class A (up to 18,000ft MSL).
• VFR weather minimums:
  • Below 10,000ft MSL: 3 statute miles visibility, 1,000ft above, 500ft below, 2,000ft horizontal from clouds.
  • Above 10,000ft MSL: 5 statute miles visibility, 1,000ft above, 1,000ft below, 1 statute mile horizontal.

Uncontrolled Airspace

Class G (Class Golf)

• Exists where controlled airspace doesn't.
• Starts at the surface unless controlled airspace exists at ground level.
• Not depicted on charts.
• VFR weather minimums:
  • Below 10,000ft MSL and under 1,200ft AGL: 1 statute mile visibility (day), 3 statute miles (night).
  • Above 1,200ft AGL and under 10,000ft MSL: stricter cloud clearance applies.
  • Above 10,000ft MSL: 5 statute miles visibility, 1,000ft above, 1,000ft below, 1 statute mile horizontal.
• Exception during night traffic pattern within 0.5 miles of runway: 1 mile visibility, clear of clouds.

Conclusion

• Overview of different airspace classes and their requirements.
• Additional airspace types to be covered in Part Two.