National Airspace SystemNational Airspace System

CFI Student : David ChangCFI Student : David Chang

Airspace SystemAirspace System

General DefinitionGeneral Definition There are four types of airspace…(AIM 3)There are four types of airspace…(AIM 3)

– Controlled airspace.Controlled airspace. Class A, B, C, D, E airspace.Class A, B, C, D, E airspace.

– Uncontrolled airspace.Uncontrolled airspace. Class G airspace.Class G airspace.

– Special use airspace.Special use airspace. Prohibited, restricted, warning, military operations, Prohibited, restricted, warning, military operations,

alert and controlled firing areas.alert and controlled firing areas.

– Other airspace.Other airspace. Airport advisory area, military training routes, Airport advisory area, military training routes,

temporary flight restrictions, national security areas, temporary flight restrictions, national security areas, terminal radar service area.terminal radar service area.

VFR Cruising AltitudeVFR Cruising Altitude VFR : FAR 91.159VFR : FAR 91.159

Class A AirspaceClass A Airspace

RangeRange FL180~FL600FL180~FL600

VFR minimum visibilityVFR minimum visibility NoneNone

VFR minimum distance frVFR minimum distance from cloudom cloud

NoneNone

Minimum pilot qualificatioMinimum pilot qualificationsns

Instrument ratingInstrument rating

VFR entry and equipment VFR entry and equipment requirementsrequirements

IFR flight plan and IFR clearanceIFR flight plan and IFR clearance

Speed limitSpeed limit NoneNone

Class B AirspaceClass B Airspace

RangeRange Top to 10000MSLTop to 10000MSL

VFR minimum visibilityVFR minimum visibility 3 s.m.3 s.m.

VFR minimum distance frVFR minimum distance from cloudom cloud

Clear of cloudClear of cloud

Minimum pilot qualificatioMinimum pilot qualificationsns

Private pilot or student pilot with endorsPrivate pilot or student pilot with endorsementement

VFR entry and equipment VFR entry and equipment requirementsrequirements

Transponder Mode C, ATC clearanceTransponder Mode C, ATC clearance

Speed limitSpeed limit FAR 91.117 (c)FAR 91.117 (c)

Class C AirspaceClass C Airspace

RangeRange Top to 4000 AGLTop to 4000 AGL

VFR minimum visibilityVFR minimum visibility 3 s.m.3 s.m.

VFR minimum distance VFR minimum distance from cloudfrom cloud

500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 horizontalhorizontal

Minimum pilot Minimum pilot qualificationsqualifications

StudentStudent

VFR entry and equipment VFR entry and equipment requirementsrequirements

Transponder Mode CTransponder Mode C

Establish two way radio communicationEstablish two way radio communication

Speed limitSpeed limit FAR 91.117 (b)FAR 91.117 (b)

Class D AirspaceClass D Airspace

RangeRange Top to 2500 AGLTop to 2500 AGL

VFR minimum visibilityVFR minimum visibility 3 s.m.3 s.m.

VFR minimum distance VFR minimum distance from cloudfrom cloud

500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 horizontalhorizontal

Minimum pilot Minimum pilot qualificationsqualifications

Student pilotStudent pilot

VFR entry and equipment VFR entry and equipment requirementsrequirements

Establish two way radio communicationEstablish two way radio communication

Speed limitSpeed limit FAR 91.117 (b)FAR 91.117 (b)

Class E AirspaceClass E AirspaceRangeRange Top to 17999 MSLTop to 17999 MSL

Above FL600Above FL600

VFR minimum visibilityVFR minimum visibility Below 10000ft MSL : 3 s.m.Below 10000ft MSL : 3 s.m.

At or above 10000ft MSL : 5 s.m.At or above 10000ft MSL : 5 s.m.

VFR minimum distance VFR minimum distance from cloudfrom cloud

Below 10000ft MSL : 500ft below, 1000fBelow 10000ft MSL : 500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 horizontalt above, 2000 horizontal

At or above 10000ft MSL : 1000ft below,At or above 10000ft MSL : 1000ft below, 1000ft above, 1 s.m. horizontal 1000ft above, 1 s.m. horizontal

Minimum pilot Minimum pilot qualificationsqualifications

Student pilotStudent pilot

VFR entry and equipment VFR entry and equipment requirementsrequirements

Transponder Mode C above 1000ft Transponder Mode C above 1000ft MSLMSL

Speed limitSpeed limit FAR 91.117 (a)FAR 91.117 (a)

Class G AirspaceClass G Airspace

RangeRange 1200ft AGL or less1200ft AGL or less

VFR minimum visibilityVFR minimum visibility Day : 1 s.m.Day : 1 s.m.Night : 3 s.m.Night : 3 s.m.

VFR minimum distance frVFR minimum distance from cloudom cloud

Day : Clear of cloudsDay : Clear of clouds

Night : 500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 Night : 500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 horizontalhorizontal

Minimum pilot qualificatioMinimum pilot qualificationsns

Student pilotStudent pilot

VFR entry and equipment VFR entry and equipment requirementsrequirements

NoneNone

Speed limitSpeed limit FAR 91.117 (a)FAR 91.117 (a)

Class G AirspaceClass G Airspace

RangeRange 1200ft AGL ~ 1000ft MSL (below)1200ft AGL ~ 1000ft MSL (below)

VFR minimum visibilityVFR minimum visibility Day : 1 s.m.Day : 1 s.m.Night : 3 s.m.Night : 3 s.m.

VFR minimum distance frVFR minimum distance from cloudom cloud

500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 horizo500ft below, 1000ft above, 2000 horizontalntal

Minimum pilot qualificatioMinimum pilot qualificationsns

Student pilotStudent pilot

VFR entry and equipment VFR entry and equipment requirementsrequirements

NoneNone

Speed limitSpeed limit FAR 91.117 (a)FAR 91.117 (a)

Class G AirspaceClass G Airspace

RangeRange At or above 10000ft MSLAt or above 10000ft MSL

VFR minimum visibilityVFR minimum visibility 5 s.m.5 s.m.

VFR minimum distance VFR minimum distance from cloudfrom cloud

1000ft below, 1000ft above, 1 s.m. hori1000ft below, 1000ft above, 1 s.m. horizontalzontal

Minimum pilot Minimum pilot qualificationsqualifications

Student pilotStudent pilot

VFR entry and equipment VFR entry and equipment requirementsrequirements

Transponder Mode C 2500ft AGLTransponder Mode C 2500ft AGL

Speed limitSpeed limit FAR 91.117 (a)FAR 91.117 (a)

Special VFRSpecial VFR

FAR 91.155, 91.157FAR 91.155, 91.157 When to use it ?When to use it ?

– When operating within class B, C, D, or E airspace, grouWhen operating within class B, C, D, or E airspace, ground visibility is less than 3 s.m. and ceiling is less than 10nd visibility is less than 3 s.m. and ceiling is less than 1000ft AGL.00ft AGL.

What’s the limit ?What’s the limit ?– At least 1 s.m. ground visibility and remain clear of cloudAt least 1 s.m. ground visibility and remain clear of cloud

s.s. How to use it?How to use it?

– Get clearance from ATC.Get clearance from ATC.– No special VFR in night time for private pilot. Unless the No special VFR in night time for private pilot. Unless the

pilot is current instrument rating and the airplane is proppilot is current instrument rating and the airplane is properly equipped.erly equipped.

Special Use AirspaceSpecial Use Airspace

Prohibited AreasProhibited Areas

Restricted AreaRestricted Area

Warning AreaWarning Area

Military Operations AreaMilitary Operations Area

Alert AreaAlert Area

Other AirspaceOther Airspace National security areaNational security area

Airport advisory areaAirport advisory area

Temporary flight restrictionTemporary flight restriction

Military training routesMilitary training routes

Flight limitations and restrictionsFlight limitations and restrictions

Parachute jump aircraft areaParachute jump aircraft area

Terminal radar service areaTerminal radar service area

VFR fly ways and VFR transition routesVFR fly ways and VFR transition routes

ADIZ zoneADIZ zone