Airspace-PPL

Class A

Vertically from 18,000 feet MSL to 60,000 MSL

Extends 12 nm past the coast

IFR operations only, must be instrument rated

Equipment Required- ADS-B Out, Mode C Transponder, IFR equipped

Not charted on the sectional

Class B

Vertically from SFC to 10,000 MSL

Individually tailored to each airport, sometimes multiple layers

Must be private pilot or student with endorsement

Equipment Required-ADS-B out, Mode C transponder

Must obtain ATC clearance prior to entering

Visibility-3 miles and clear of clouds

Depicted as solid blue on sectional

ATC Services provided-Sequencing and separation

Class C

Vertically from SFC to 4,000 feet above airport elevation

Configuration is tailored, but typically it’s a 5nm radius (meaning 2.5 either side) that extends to 4,000 above airport elevation. The second shelf is a 10nm radius that goes from 1,200 AGL to 4,000 above airport elevation. There can be a third shelf that is 20nm radius, which varies.

Minimum of a student pilot certificate

Equipment-Mode C transponder, ADS-B Out, two way radio. Just need to hear your callsign

Cloud Clearance-3-152

Depicted as a solid magenta line

ATC Services-Sequencing to the airport, basic radar services as long as they’re not busy

Speed limit-200 knots

Class D

Generally SFC up to 2,500 above airport elevation

Typically 4-5 radius but individually tailored

Need 2 way radio

Cloud clearance-3-152

Depicted as dashed blue lines

No ATC services-See and avoid

Speed limit-200 knots

If tower is closed, check chart supplement to see if it’s E or G

Class E

Starts at 1200 AGL up to the lower limit of A, which is 18000 MSL. After 60,000 MSL, all above is class E.

Any controlled airspace that isn’t the others.

No specific requirements besides student license

If it has a tower you need two way comms

Depicted as dashed magenta or shaded

Dashed is echo at the surface

Shaded makes echo start at 700, not 1200. Surface extensions to other airspace too.

Special VFR

1 mile clear of clouds

You can usually get one as long as it doesn’t interrupt IFR procedures

You obtain one from the nearest tower or FSS

Prohibited at night

What is the max speed allowed when operating in class B airspace, under 10,000 feet, and within a class D surface area?

What about beneath class B or a VFR corridor?

Within class C or D-No more than 200 knots

For B and under 10,000 feet more than 250 knots

If you’re under Bravo or on a VFR corridor, no more than 200 knots

What happens if you enter a Charlie that doesn’t have an operative control tower?

You need to maintain two way radio with the ATC facilities the whole time

What kind of radar services are there?

Basic radar services-Safety alerts, traffic advisories, radar vectoring if not busy, and sequencing at locations where the procedure is established

TRSA (Terminal Radar Service Area)-Radar sequencing and separation for VFR

Class C Service-Basic plus separation between VFR and IFR

Class B Service-Same as C but includes weight of a/c.

When do you need ADS-B Out?

At or above 10,000 MSL

Within 30 miles of a class B airport even under 10,000 MSL

Within and above all Class C up to 10,000 MSL

Flying into or near the ADIZ

What could be E airspace?

En route domestic-Echo that extend to provide IFR services where the federal airway system isn’t enough

Federal airways-What E airspace is meant to be, 1200 to 18000 MSL.

Are you always required to establish controls with a tower?

Yes. Up to and including 2,500 AGL, within 4 nm.

What is an Airport Advisory Area?

An area within 10 statute miles where a control tower isn’t operating but a FSS is.

What is a TRSA?

Terminal Radar Service Area-Radar service to provide sequencing, vectoring, and separation to VFR and IFR

Depicted as a solid black line

What is controlled airspace? Uncontrolled?

Controlled airspace is airspace where ATC service is provided.

Uncontrolled airspace is where ATC has no authority or responsibility to control air traffic, but VFR still applies