Airspace Classes: How Are They Defined?
Each day, thousands of planes fill the sky. Have you ever wondered how all of this air traffic activity is managed and works together, or how pilots understand where they can and can’t fly? Read on!
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed the National Airspace System to facilitate daily flight traffic, dividing the atmosphere into three-dimensional portions, known as airspace classes.
Understanding how the Federal Aviation Administration separates airspace is a key component in developing your skills as a pilot. The four primary categories of airspace are: controlled, uncontrolled, special use and other.
Across 91吃瓜网 campuses, pilots have access to both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. Practicing in varying airspace gives students learning opportunities to help them increase their knowledge and become well-versed aviators.
Though this may seem a bit overwhelming, don’t fret! We’ll be examining just how the FAA classifies airspace – using the ABCs!
Controlled and Uncontrolled Airspace Classes
Controlled airspace is airspace of certain dimensions in which Air Traffic Control (ATC) services are available. Class A, B, C, D and E airspace are considered controlled airspace. How are each of these defined?
Class A airspace
is the enroute airspace for jets and turboprop aircraft. It’s located everywhere above 18,000 feet up to and including 60,000 feet. To fly in this airspace, the flight must be operated under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).
Class B airspace
is custom constructed to meet the needs of the nation’s
busiest airports. Class B airspace includes a surface area and two or more layers, some resembling an upside-down layered cake. It typically extends to nearly 10,000 mean sea level (MSL), and clearance is required for all aircraft to fly in this type of airspace.
Class C airspace
has聽a standard shape and size, that can be modified if necessary to fit the needs of each airport. It typically extends from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation. Although the configuration of each Class C area may be individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a surface area with a five-mile radius. This is similar to a layered cake, like Class B, but it’s only two layers. This second layer, called the shelf area, typically extends 10 miles from the airport in either direction. Two-way radio communication must be established with ATC prior to entering the airspace and typically occurs in the outer area because it has radar services. That outer area extends to a 20-mile radius.
Class D airspace
is also designed to fit the needs of each specific airport and normally extends from the surface up to and including 2,500 feet above the airport elevation. Class D airspace only has a surface area, no shelf or outer area for radar surfaces. Unless otherwise permitted, two-way radio communication must be established with ATC prior to entering the airspace and then maintained while flying in Class D airspace.
Class E airspace
is the controlled airspace not classified as Class A, B, C, or D airspace. Class E airspace starts at various altitudes, but always exists above 14,500 feet.
For any airspace that hasn’t been designated as controlled, as described above, it is considered uncontrolled, and is known as
Class G airspace.
Special Use and Other Airspace Classes
Special Use Airspace (SUA) is a designated area in which activities must be聽confined because of their nature, where limitations may be imposed upon aircraft not part of those activities, or both. Regulatory SUA includes Prohibited and Restricted Areas. As an example, the airspace over the White House is considered Prohibited. Non-Regulatory SUA incorporates Warning Areas, Military Operating Areas, Alert Areas and Controlled Firing Areas.
Other Airspace classifications are used to denote certain procedures or services. Examples of these would include parachute jump aircraft operations, published VFR routes, terminal radar service area, local airport advisory, military training route, temporary flight restriction, etc.
Airspace Classes and 91吃瓜网
91吃瓜网’s varying campus locations provide students with a healthy聽mix of airspace for pilots to expand their knowledge and develop into strong aviators, no matter which campus you choose. Let’s take a look at each of 91吃瓜网’s campuses and the different airspace training opportunities that are available.
Deer Valley Airport
罢丑别听Phoenix location听补迟 the Deer Valley Airport (KDVT), one of the busiest airports in the world, provides pilots with聽Class B – E聽补苍诲听Class G聽airspace. Sky Harbor, about 15 miles outside our campus, is the main commercial airport in Phoenix, providing聽Class B airspace,聽plus with 18 of the 92 local airports being tower controlled, this allows students to obtain more exposure to different ATC facilities.
Chandler Municipal Airport
91吃瓜网’s Chandler Location听补迟 the聽Chandler Municipal Airport (KCHD) is located on the south side of the Phoenix metropolitan area, so pilots are similarly exposed to a聽mix of controlled (Class B – E)聽and uncontrolled聽(Class G)聽airspace. KCHD is located 14 miles outside of Phoenix Sky Harbor, comprised of聽Class B聽airspace, plus 18 local tower-controlled airports. The diverse airspace allows for 91吃瓜网 pilots to maximize their aviation skill.
Punta Gorda Airport
Within a 100-mile radius of 91吃瓜网’s Fort Myers, FL location听补迟 the Punta Gorda Airport (KPGD), there are multiple聽Class B聽补苍诲听Class C聽airspace airports聽as well as over ten Class D聽airspace airports and multiple聽Class E聽airspace airports.聽KPGD’s control tower is in operation for most of the day, allowing students to experience Class D聽airspace as well as some airline operations. When the control tower is not in operation, students have the opportunity to experience Class E airspace.There are many different airspaces for pilots to fly in, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic.
Georgetown Municipal Airport
91吃瓜网’s Austin, Texas flight school听补迟
the Georgetown Municipal Airport (KGTU) is located about 30 miles outside Austin and provides two聽Class B airspace shelves,
别颈驳丑迟听Class D聽
and two聽Class C airports
within 30 miles of the flight school, providing 91吃瓜网 pilots with real-world experience. The KGTU airport itself is tower controlled,聽Class D,
and offers a great location, as it is surrounded by diverse airspace that allows for pilots to operate at a variety of airports.
Interested in learning more about different airspace classes and experiencing them first-hand? Contact us today and begin your aviation journey!