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Airspace: Definitions

Objectives​

Understand the purpose of the national airspace system, the 5 classes of airspace, and how they are shown on a chart.

Motivations​

Timings​

45 minutes

Format​

  • Whiteboard / EFB

Elements​

  • Why do have airspace?
    • Separation of airborne traffic
    • Facilitates efficient flow of aircraft
    • Denotes what level of air traffic control services are required
  • Class Airspace
    • Controlled airspace: Class A, B, C, D, E
    • Uncontrolled airspace: Class G
    • Special use airspace: Various kinds
  • Identifying classes of airspace
    • Class A airspace: 18,000' and above, not charted
    • Class B airspace: Busiest airports in the U.S.
      • Sectional: KSEA
      • Upsidedown wedding cake
    • Class C: Around other busy airports
      • Sectional: KPDX, KNUW
      • Inner ring, outer ring
    • Class D: Around busy regional airports
      • Sectional: KSLE, KSBP
    • Class E: IFR protection
      • Starts at surface: KAST
      • Starts at 700': KTDO
      • Starts at 1200': West of KHQM
      • Starts at 14,500': East of KJTC, blue shaded cutout
      • Above 60,000' (not charted)
    • Class G: Uncontrolled airspace
      • Everything else
  • Knowledge check: What airspace are we in from the surface up to 18,000?
    • Over KSBP:
      • Surface to 2700' MSL: Class D
      • 2700' to 18,000' Class E
    • NW of KSBP
      • Surface to 18,000' Class E
    • Morro Bay, NW of KSBP
      • Surface to 700' AGL: Class G
      • 700' AGL to 18,000': Class E
    • Challenge: Over KRNT
      • Surface to 2500': Class D
      • 2500' to 3000': Class E
      • 3000' to 10,000': Class B
      • 10,000 to 18,000': Class E

References​