Pilot’s Guide to Airspace

The purpose of the different airspace rules is safety. Some areas of the US have more flights than others. Therefore, the FAA has implemented classes of airspace to reflect this activity. The level of control goes from zero in some areas to considerable control around congested, big city, airports that serve considerable airline traffic.

us airspace

The US Airspace System is divided into these categories.

Airspace can be divided into Controlled, Uncontrolled, Special Use and Other. Airspace designation is determined by considering the density of aircraft, the types of operations, the level of safety required, and the national and public interest. Controlled airspace is generally where ATC service is provided. There are different requirements if the flight is operated under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or Visual Flight Rules (VFR). For example, a pilot flying IFR in controlled airspace will have to file an IFR flight plan and receive an ATC clearance. For VFR flight, controlled airspace means increased cloud clearance and visibility requirements.  For the VFR pilot flying in B, C, and D airspace, there are communication and/or clearance requirements.

US airspace conforms to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) system. ICAO classifies airspace by the letters A through G with A being the most restrictive and G having the least constraints. There is no Class F airspace because the US has no equivalent to ICAO Class F where ATC provides separation for IFR aircraft only as practical.<

Class A

Class A airspace begins at 18,000′ MSL and extends up to and including flight level 600 (60,000′). All operations in Class A must be conducted under IFR, which means you must be instrument rated and equipped. ADS-B Out is also a requirement in Class A. Pilots must obtain an ATC clearance before entering Class A, and maintain two-way radio contact with ATC. Class A covers all of the lower 48 states and the eastern section of Alaska, but is not depicted on charts.

Class B

Located around airports where there’s a large volume of air traffic, Class B airspace, often compared to an upside down wedding cake in shape, begins at the surface and extends upward to a designated altitude typically 10,000′ MSL. Aircraft inside Class B are permitted to fly up to 250 kts. indicated airspeed, the speed limit for operations below 10,000′ MSL.  However, aircraft operating below the overhanging layers of Class B airspace are limited to 200 kts. indicated airspeed.

Class B Airspace

Class B Airspace typically takes on the shape of an upside down wedding cake and extends to 10,000′.

boeing 737

Class B airports typically accommodate a high volume of airline traffic.

Before operating in Class B, you must receive authorization from ATC, maintain two-way radio communications with ATC, have an operating transponder with altitude reporting and be ADS-B Out equipped. ADS-B Out is also required above and within the lateral boundaries of Class B. Private pilots may operate at all airports within Class B, but student pilots cannot takeoff, land, or fly solo in that airspace unless they have received ground and flight instruction for the specific Class B airspace.  The student’s logbook must have been endorsed within the previous 90 days by the instructor who gave the flight instruction. Recreational and Sport pilots may fly in Class B airspace once they have received the necessary training and an instructor endorsement. At some busier Class B areas such as Chicago and Los Angeles, student pilots may not takeoff or land at the primary airport of Class B.

The minimum visibility for VFR flight in Class B is three statute miles and you must stay clear of clouds. Class B is shown on Terminal Area, Sectional, and IFR Low Altitude En Route charts. Flying within 30 nautical miles of the primary airport you must have an operating transponder and altitude reporting capability and be ADS-B Out equipped. You’ll typically see lots of airline traffic in Class B airspace, usually heaviest around pushes as an airline lands or departs many of its airplanes close together.

Sectional chart Class B

An example of the Chicago Class B Airspace depicted on a sectional chart and extending to 10,000′ MSL.

Class C

Class C airspace surrounds airports handling a moderate volume of air traffic and resembles a two-layer upside-down wedding cake in shape.  It typically extends to 4,000′ AGL. To operate in Class C, you’ll need to establish communications with ATC and hold at least a student pilot certificate. Note that no clearance is required to enter Class C, just establishment of communications.  This can be as simple as the controller acknowledging your call sign. A transponder with altitude reporting is required within and above Class C airspace. ADS-B Out is also required within, above and within the lateral boundaries of Class C up to 10,000′ MSL.

SECTIONAL CHART CLASS C

Class C Airspace depicted in solid magenta on a Sectional chart.

For VFR flight, a minimum visibility of three statute miles is required and you must remain 500′ below, 1,000′ above, and 2,000′ laterally away from clouds. You will find Class C airspace on Terminal Area, Sectional, and IFR Low Altitude En Route charts. It’s depicted by solid magenta circles on VFR charts. Traffic advisories are provided to all aircraft in Class C. You may not exceed 200 kts. indicated airspeed within four nautical miles of the primary airport, at or below 2,500′ AGL.

Class D

Class D airspace surrounds tower-controlled airports that do not have an associated Class B or C area. You must establish two-way radio communications with ATC before operating in Class D airspace, but a clearance is not required. You must possess a minimum of a student pilot certificate.  Recreational and Sport pilots with an endorsement may also fly in Class D airspace. Class D airspace is depicted on VFR charts with a segmented blue line. Many have arrival extensions, giving the airspace the shape of a keyhole.

sectional class d airspace

Class D Airspace depicted as a segmented blue line on the Sectional chart.

The vertical boundary is charted inside a blue segmented box in hundreds of feet MSL. VFR traffic advisories from ATC are provided on a workload permitting basis. Some towers operate part time, and when the tower is not in operation, Class D airspace reverts to the less restrictive Class E or G airspace. Just like Class C, you may not exceed 200 kts. indicated airspeed within four nautical miles of the primary airport, at or below 2,500′ AGL.

Class E

Class E airspace is controlled airspace that is not included in Classes A, B, C, or D.  It extends upward from the surface at some non-towered airports, or up from a floor of either 700′ or 1,200′ AGL. It extends up to, but not including, 18,000′ MSL unless there is an overlying B or C airspace. Radio contact is not required to fly VFR in Class E airspace, but ADS-B Out equipment is required in Class E above 10,000′ MSL excluding that airspace at and below 2,500′ AGL.

Class E airspace

Class E extends up from a floor of either 700′ or 1,200′ AGL and extends up to 18,000′ MSL unless there is an overlying B or C.

Cloud clearances in Class E and below 10,000′ MSL are 500′ below, one thousand feet above and two thousand feet horizontally from clouds.  Below 10,000′ three miles visibility is required.

At and above 10,000′ MSL, and more than 1,200′ AGL, this increases to five miles visibility and cloud clearances of 1,000′ above and below and one statute mile horizontally. To takeoff, land, or enter the traffic pattern of an airport in Class E airspace, you must have a minimum ceiling of 1,000′ and a minimum visibility of three statute miles.

Class E airspace is depicted on VFR charts in various ways. Class E airspace having a floor of 700′ AGL is encompassed within a magenta vignette. The airspace outside of these magenta vignettes is assumed to be Class E with a floor of 1,200′ AGL. When Class E airspace, with a floor of 1,200′ AGL, abuts Class G airspace, it’s charted with a blue vignette. This is most common in the western states.

Class e airspace

Inside the magenta vignette, Class E airspace begins at 700′ AGL. It’s assumed to begin at 1,200′ AGL outside of the vignette.

In cases where the floor of class E is other than 700′ or 1,200′ AGL, but less than 14,500′ MSL, it’s depicted by jagged blue lines and the floor is marked in AGL or, in some areas, MSL altitudes, most often near airways or NAVAIDs.

Some of the Class D airport extensions are also designated full-time Class E airspace.  These are depicted by magenta segmented lines. Some non-towered airports are surrounded by Class E airspace that goes all the way to the surface. These are depicted by a segmented magenta line.

Except where charted at a lower altitude, Class E airspace begins at 14,500′ MSL and extends up to, but not including, 18,000′ MSL.

class g airspace blue vingette

Inside the blue vingette, Class E airspace begins at 1,200′ AGL. On the sharp side of the vingette, Class E does not begin until 14,500′ MSL with Class G below.

Class G

Class G airspace, also referred to as uncontrolled airspace. The rules for operating in Class G are fairly simple. You don’t have to talk to anybody or get permission to be there, but you do need certain visibility and cloud clearances for VFR operations which vary by altitude and whether it’s day or night.

Below 10,000′ MSL, visibility must be one mile. At night this goes up to three miles. At or above 10,000′ MSL, and more than 1,200′ AGL, day and night, this increases to five miles.

At 1,200′ or less above the ground, you have to stay clear of clouds. Between 1,200′ AGL and 10,000′ MSL, you must remain 500′ below, 1,000′ above and 2,000′ horizontally from clouds.

Above twelve hundred feet AGL and at or above ten thousand feet MSL you must stay 1,000′ below, 1,000′ above and one statute mile laterally from clouds.

Training courses from Pilot Workshops available through Sporty’s Pilot Training app

A collection of exciting new courses and digital pilot manuals from the team at PilotWorkshops is now available in the Sporty’s Pilot Training app  These new training products were designed to take your VFR and IFR flying skills to the next level and maximize the utility of your pilot certificate. Each course and manual is available as an in-app purchase in the Pilot Training app, or available directly from Sporty’s website.

Real World VFR Online Course

This fun and educational course will give you the confidence to fly cross-country flights in VFR conditions, whether your destination is a remote island runway or a busy Class B airline hub. Ride along with an experienced pilot and flight instructor as they fly ten end-to-end flights.

Scenarios include:

  • Find a small, remote island airport at night
  • Land at Boston Logan Airport (Class B) VFR in a Cessna 172
  • Fly the New York City Hudson River VFR Corridor, and then land at Teterboro, one of the busiest Class Delta airports in the world
  • Depart at night in the mountains, using an IFR technique to avoid them
  • Encounter VFR into IMC for real, at night
  • Manage system failures, simulated emergencies, and other surprises
  • Use the power of ForeFlight for VFR planning and in-flight situations
  • Navigate cross-country, using only pilotage and dead reckoning
  • Takeoff and land on short fields—some grass, some paved, some scary
  • Get sucked into a “black hole approach,” but escape to avoid disaster
  • Make an overwater crossing that is eerily similar to the JFK Jr. flight

Watch a sample video here

Advanced IFR Online Course

Earning an instrument rating is a major achievement, but many pilots soon realize that flying IFR on a trip is different from the checkride. This online course includes nine end-to-end flights that explain and demonstrate some overlooked IFR procedures, going far beyond the basics of approaches and holding patterns.

Scenarios include:

  • Tower Enroute Control (TEC) routes
  • Diverse Vector areas at non-towered airports
  • Custom waypoints in a GPS flight plan
  • Graphical ODPs
  • Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs)
  • Published visual climbs over airport (VCOA)
  • Best practices for negotiating with ATC
  • Vertical navigation with GPS and autopilot
  • Cold temperature restrictions
  • Contact approaches
  • Circling approach survival secrets
  • Taxi hot spots

Watch a sample video here

IFR Procedures Digital Manual

The majority of instrument-rated GA pilots struggle to maintain IFR proficiency. It’s a real problem and something PilotWorkshops has seen repeatedly over the past 17 years providing IFR training. The manual aims to help with that task, by breaking each IFR procedure down into individual tasks, and explaining in detail how to complete each one.

Topics covered include:

  • Clearances: towered airport, non-towered, pop-up
  • Departures: ODPs, visual climbs, flying a SID
  • En route: choosing an altitude, block altitudes, VFR on top
  • Arrivals: descent planning, flying STARs, choosing an approach
  • Approaches: visual and contact approaches, vectors, glide paths, circling to land, missed approaches
  • Unusual cases: cruise clearance, practice approaches, ASR/PAR approaches
  • Post-flight: canceling an IFR flight plan

View Sample Pages Here

Airplane Engines Digital Manual

Finally, aviation books written for pilots, not lawyers! Fully illustrated with color photos and graphics, this Pilot-Friendly Manual from PilotWorkshops is much more than a quick reference guide—it dives deep into the finer points of airplane systems and procedures. Learn how to get the most performance, dependability and longevity from your engine with this plain English manual. It takes you under the cowl for a look at what’s really happening when you hit the starter.

Topics covered include:

  • Basic engine principles
  • How to read an engine monitor
  • Checking fuel and oil
  • Starting techniques for Lycoming and Continental
  • Pre-takeoff checks
  • Leaning for climb and cruise
  • Selecting a cruise power setting
  • Airborne ignition checks
  • In-flight troubleshooting
  • Engine preheating
  • New cylinder break-in
  • Analyzing engine data
  • Checking for exhaust leaks
  • Oil changes and oil samples
  • Managing logbook entries
  • Choosing oil and additives

View Sample Pages Here

Emergency Strategies Digital Manual

Facing an actual in-flight emergency can be surreal. Sometimes pilots don’t hesitate and immediately fall back on their training. But often, gripped by fear, they’re reluctant to admit that an emergency is actually happening. Instead of addressing the situation, they waste precious time watching it unfold. What’s needed is a way for pilots to mentally practice and build a flexible response to any emergency.

In this manual, Pilot Workshops groups the nearly infinite number of emergency situations into 11 general categories, and presents strategies you can use to handle those kinds of emergencies. The goal is to help you build a framework to address each kind of emergency more effectively.

Topics covered include:

  • Power loss down low
  • Power loss up high
  • Fires: engine starting and in-flight
  • In-flight upsets
  • Flight control malfunction
  • Systems failure
  • VFR into IMC
  • Pilot or passenger impairment
  • Dangerous distractions
  • Landing complications
  • Unavoidable crash

View Sample Pages Here

VFR Communications Digital Manual

The Pilot-Friendly VFR Communications Digital Manual will help you improve on the radio, regardless of your flying experience. Whether you’re a student pilot trying to learn this new language, or an experienced pilot who skirts busy airspace to avoid talking on the radio, this simple pilot radio communications guide gives you the confidence to do it right.

This manual also includes 54 videos covering each communication scenario in the app, demonstrating the phraseology you should use for each and what to expect from ATC.

View sample pages here

IFR Communications Digital Manual

If you feel intimidated by IFR communications, you’re not alone. The IFR system is complex, and the number of radio calls pilots must understand can be overwhelming. That’s a problem. There are instrument-rated pilots who avoid flying IFR altogether. Some pilots let mic fright prevent them from getting the instrument rating at all.

This IFR communications guide eases that pain by using the secret to IFR radio work: virtually all communications follow a script. Once you know the basic script, the variations become simple, and that’s how this book works.

This manual also includes 81 videos covering each communication scenario, demonstrating the phraseology you should use for each and what to expect from ATC.

View Sample Pages Here

 

 

Video Tip: Convective outlook charts

Convective hazards remain a top consideration for pilots when making the go/no-go decision. The week’s tip looks at the Convective Outlook chart, which provides both short and long-term planning guidance for determining the location and intensity of thunderstorm activity.

The video clip is from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course

weight

Quiz: Airplane Weight and Balance

Calculating the airplane’s weight and balance is a mandatory task you must complete before every flight. Many of an airplane’s performance, handling, and structural characteristics are a function of weight and balance, not to mention the safety risks associated with operating an overloaded or out-of-balance airplane.

Challenge your weight and balance understanding with this quiz, and answer each question correctly to tip the scales in your favor.

1. Which items are included in the empty weight of an aircraft?
1. Which items are included in the empty weight of an aircraft?
Correct! Wrong!
2. An airplane has been loaded in such a manner that the CG is located aft of the aft CG limit. One undesirable flight characteristic a pilot might experience with this airplane would be
2. An airplane has been loaded in such a manner that the CG is located aft of the aft CG limit. One undesirable flight characteristic a pilot might experience with this airplane would be
Correct! Wrong!
3. Loading an airplane to the most aft CG will cause the airplane to be
3. Loading an airplane to the most aft CG will cause the airplane to be
Correct! Wrong!
4. Calculate the total moment of the airplane given 210 pounds of fuel, 260 pounds of front seat passengers, 210 pounds of rear seat passengers and an empty moment of 50 lb-ins.
4. Calculate the total moment of the airplane given 210 pounds of fuel, 260 pounds of front seat passengers, 210 pounds of rear seat passengers and an empty moment of 50 lb-ins.
Correct! Wrong!
5. An aircraft is loaded 120 pounds over maximum certificated gross weight. If fuel (avgas) is drained to bring the aircraft weight within limits, how much fuel should be drained?
5. An aircraft is loaded 120 pounds over maximum certificated gross weight. If fuel (avgas) is drained to bring the aircraft weight within limits, how much fuel should be drained?
Correct! Wrong!
6. One undesirable condition that may occur if an aircraft is loaded beyond the forward CG limit is
6. One undesirable condition that may occur if an aircraft is loaded beyond the forward CG limit is
Correct! Wrong!
7. If a 2 pound weight is located at point X and 4 pounds at point Y, how much weight must be located at point Z in order to balance the plank?
7. If a 2 pound weight is located at point X and 4 pounds at point Y, how much weight must be located at point Z in order to balance the plank?
Correct! Wrong!
8. What is the maximum amount of fuel that may be aboard the airplane on takeoff if loaded as follows? Empty weight 1,400 lbs. Pilot and front passengers 350 lbs. Rear passengers 200 lbs. Baggage 50 lbs.
8. What is the maximum amount of fuel that may be aboard the airplane on takeoff if loaded as follows? Empty weight 1,400 lbs. Pilot and front passengers 350 lbs. Rear passengers 200 lbs. Baggage 50 lbs.
Correct! Wrong!

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Still have more answers? Take all our other quizzes.

Want to learn more about airplane engine operations? Check out Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course for more in-depth training on this subject.

New free resources available in Sporty’s Pilot Training app

Pilot training app

Pilot Training app brings a variety of aviation training courses to one location.

Sporty’s innovative Pilot Training app brings a variety of aviation training courses to one location, allowing you to access all of your Sporty’s aviation content on dedicated iPhone and iPad apps, Mac app, an Android app, online, and on the TV using the included apps for AppleTV, FireTV, AndroidTV, Roku and Chromecast. Moreover, the platform continues to grow with innovative new content, training tools, and technological enhancements.

In its recent release, Sporty’s Pilot Training app adds:

  • FAA Knowledge Test preparation resources
  • Video training
  • FAA resource library
  • Articles, webinars and related content
  • Free Learn to Fly ebook – A Comprehensive Guide to Private Pilot Training

FAA Knowledge Test preparation resources – allows you to study individual groups of questions with real-time feedback and detailed answer explanations, which is very helpful when studying for the FAA Knowledge Test. You can then use Test Mode to take a simulated FAA Practical Test to gauge your preparedness for the real thing. A free account allows you to study all question categories with performance indicators; take FAA practice tests; and review your five most recent sessions.

pilot training app

Study individual groups of questions with real time feedback and detailed answer explanations

Video training – Sporyt’s pilot training app allows you to access quality, engaging content from each course before signing up and even includes a free course – Get Started with Learning to Fly. The course features videos, articles, and other resources for the brand-new pilot. You also gain access to a searchable flight school directory, Cessna fight deck posters, and helpful links to other resources and essential pilot supplies.

Access quality, engaging content from all of the app platforms.

FAA resource library including up-to-date FARs – everything from the current aviation regulations (FARs) to the AIM, advisory circulars, handbooks and more is available free in the extensive resource library. Each book includes interactive outlines and search capabilities to quickly locate key topics, and the ability to highlight and even add bookmarks to help organize your studying.

Pilot training app

Each book includes interactive outlines and search capabilities

Articles, webinars and content – A menu on the bottom of the app home screen provides pilots with quick access to Sporty’s comprehensive library of free flight training blogs, aviation podcasts, and webinar recordings. Quickly read, listen to or watch the latest aviation-themed content. Podcasts load in the app’s audio player. All of these resources are completely free and do not require the user to purchase a course first.

Learn to Fly ebook

Sporty’s team of instructors, shares honest advice based on decasdes of experience operating a flight school.

Free ebook – A Comprehensive Guide to Private Pilot Training – Sporty’s team of instructors share honest advice based on decades of experience operating a flight school. You’ll have all of the basic questions answered that relate to learning to fly, including how much and how long. Get expert advice on evaluating flight schools and flight instructors and helpful tips on making your training experience productive, efficient and fun!

To take advantage of Sporty’s Pilot Training app resources:

Video tip: the Cessna 172 fuel system

Pilots need to have a good understanding of airplane systems to know how to properly operate their controls and troubleshoot them when things don’t work as expected. This week’s tip examines the Cessna 172 fuel system to show each component and give you a better understanding of how all the parts work together.

The video clip is from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course