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Module 3.1 Classification of Airspace

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14 views24 pages

Module 3.1 Classification of Airspace

Uploaded by

mfrancinealexa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CLASSIFICATION

OF AIRSPACES

LEARNING MODULE 3.1


AVCORE 2105: FUNDAMENTALS
OF AVIATION II
OVERVIEW:
• Airspace Classification
• Controlled Airspace
• Uncontrolled Airspace
• Temporary Flight Restrictions
• Air Traffic Control and Airspace System
TWO CATEGORIES OF AIRSPACE

• Regulatory
• Non-regulatory

Within these two categories there are four types:

• Controlled
• Uncontrolled
• Special use
• Other airspace
TYPES OF
AIRSPACE
Controlled airspace is a generic
term that covers the different
classifications of airspace. Controlled
airspace consists of:

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D
• Class E
Class A Airspace

• Airspace from 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) up to


and including flight level (FL) 600.

• All operation in Class A airspace is conducted under


instrument flight rules (IFR).
Class B Airspace

• Airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL


surrounding the nation’s busiest airports

• Class B airspace areas resemble upside-down


like wedding cakes

• ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to


operate in the area, and all aircraft that are
so cleared receive separation services within
the airspace.
Class C Airspace

• Surface to 4,000 feet above the airport


elevation surrounding those airports that
have an operational control tower, are
serviced by a radar approach control, and
have a certain number of IFR operations or
passenger enplanements.

• Airspace usually consists of a surface area


with a five NM radius, an outer circle with a
ten NM radius that extends from 1,200 feet
to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and
an outer area.
Class D Airspace

• Surface to 2,500 feet above the airport


elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those
airports that have an operational control
tower.

• Aircraft must establish two-way radio


communications with the ATC facility and
thereafter maintain those communications
while in the airspace.
Class E Airspace

• Airspace extends upward from either the


surface or a designated altitude to the
overlying or adjacent controlled airspace.

• Beginning at either 700 or 1,200 feet above


ground level (AGL) below 18,000 feet MSL
Uncontrolled Airspace is airspace where an Air Traffic Control
(ATC) service is not deemed necessary or cannot be provided for
practical reasons.

Class G
Airspace
• Class G airspace is the portion of the
airspace that has not been designated as
Class A, B, C, D, or E.

• Therefore, designated uncontrolled airspace.

• Pilots should remember there are visual flight


rules (VFR) minimums which apply to Class G
airspace.
Special Use
Airspace
• Designation for airspace in which certain
activities must be confined, or where
limitations may be imposed on aircraft
operations that are not part of those
activities.

Special use airspace usually consists of:


• Prohibited areas
• Restricted areas
• Warning areas
• Military operation areas (MOAs)
• Alert areas
Prohibited areas

• Contain airspace of defined dimensions


within which the flight of aircraft is
prohibited.

• Established for security or other reasons


associated with the national welfare.

• These areas are depicted on aeronautical


charts.
Restricted Areas

• Areas where operations are hazardous to


nonparticipating aircraft and contain airspace
within which the flight of aircraft, while not
wholly prohibited, is subject to restrictions.

• Restricted areas denote the existence of


unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft.

• Penetration of restricted areas without


authorization from the using or controlling
agency may be extremely hazardous to the
aircraft and its occupants.

• Restricted areas are charted with an “R”


followed by a number.
Warning Areas

• Similar in nature to restricted areas; however, the


United States government does not have sole
jurisdiction over the airspace.

• Extending from 12 NM outward from the coast of the


United States, containing activity that may be hazardous
to nonparticipating aircraft.

• Airspace is designated with a “W” followed by a number


(e.g., W-237).
Military Operation Areas
(MOAs)
• Purpose of separating certain military training activities
from IFR traffic.

• Whenever an MOA is being used ATC reroutes or


restricts nonparticipating IFR traffic.

• MOAs are depicted on sectional and en route low


altitude charts.
Alert Areas

• Depicted on aeronautical charts with an “A”


followed by a number (e.g., A211) to inform
nonparticipating pilots of areas that may
contain a high volume of pilot training or an
unusual type of aerial activity.

• Pilots should exercise caution in alert areas.


Military Training Routes (MTRs)

• Routes used by military aircraft to maintain


proficiency in tactical flying.

• Usually established below 10,000 feet MSL


for operations at speeds in excess of 250
knots.
Temporary Flight Restrictions

• A flight data center (FDC) Notice to Airmen


(NOTAM) is issued to designate a TFR.

• The NOTAM begins with the phrase “FLIGHT


RESTRICTIONS” followed by the location of
the temporary restriction, effective time
period, area defined in statute miles, and
altitudes affected.

• The pilot should check the NOTAMs as part of


flight planning.
Temporary Flight Restrictions

FDC NOTAMs that establish TFRs


follow a very specific format. All
begin with the phrase, “FLIGHT
RESTRICTIONS” and include the
following information:

1.Location of the TFR area


An example of a TFR NOTAM text from FAA’s
2.Effective period
3.Defined area website:
4.Altitudes affected
5.FAA coordination facility and
telephone number
6.Reason for the TFR
7.Agency directing relief activities
(if applicable) and telephone
number
8.Any other information considered
appropriate.
Temporary Flight Restrictions

FAA's TFR website example of


the same TFR NOTAM above:
Temporary Flight Restrictions

Some of the purposes for establishing a TFR are:

• Provide a safe environment for the operation of disaster relief


aircraft.

• Protect the President, Vice President, or other public figures.

• Provide a safe environment for space agency operations.


Air Traffic Control and the National Airspace System

The primary purpose of the ATC


system is to prevent a collision
between aircraft operating in the
system and to organize and
expedite the flow of traffic.
Operating in the Various Types of Airspace

It is important that pilots be


familiar with the operational
requirements for each of the
various types or classes of
airspace.
Basic VFR Weather Minimums

Basic VFR weather minimum is


1,000 feet ceiling and 3NM/SM
of visibility

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