2.3.1 Introduction to Airports & Airspace on FAA Sectional Charts

Airport identification involves decoding symbols, markings, and annotations on the chart, while classifying them according to the FAA’s criteria involves recognizing their significance in terms of size, services, and operational capabilities. Mastering this skill is indispensable for aviators, ensuring safe and efficient flight operations in a complex and dynamic airspace system.

Introduction to Airspace Classes
Air Traffic Control Compliance
Clearance Compliance
Two-Way Radio Compliance
Altitude Restrictions

Key Notes:
The ability to read a TAF report is essential for effective flight planning and safe execution of missions. It allows pilots to align their flights with favorable weather windows, optimize routes based on wind patterns, and make informed decisions to avoid hazardous conditions. The date and time information, along with details about wind speeds and gusts, play a crucial role in these planning and decision-making processes.

Introduction to Airspace Classes

definition

Airspace classes sort the airspace into different zones, each with its own rules and requirements.

Imagine it as layers in the sky, where aircraft operate at different altitudes.

These zones vary from highly regulated areas with strict rules (like near busy big city airports) to more relaxed areas where pilots have more freedom (like in rural areas).

Each zone has specific rules set by aviation authorities, such as needing certain equipment or following communication procedures.

Pilots need to know these rules to fly safely and follow them depending on where they are in the sky.

The main airspace classes are A, B, C, D, E, and G, each with its own characteristics and regulations.

Overall, airspace class helps keep air traffic organized and ensures everyone flies safely.

Airspace from Surface into Atmosphere

explanation

Imagine the sky as not just a flat area but a three-dimensional space, like a stack of invisible layers above the ground. These layers extend from the surface all the way up into the atmosphere.

Aircraft can fly at different heights within these layers, from just above the ground to high in the sky.

When we talk about airspace class, we’re not just talking about areas on a map but about invisible layers in the sky. Each layer has its own set of rules and requirements, depending on how high up it is and what’s around it.

Below is an example of the shape of Class C Airspace:

Mandated Requirements Based on Airspace Class:

Overview

Pilots must comply with the specific mandates applicable to each airspace class. These categories vary depending on the airspace class:

Radio Communication with Air Traffic Control (Two-Way Radio)

Refers to the regulation mandating that certain aircraft must be capable of and establish two-way radio communication with air traffic control when operating within specific airspace.

Clearance Permission from Air Traffic Control

Depending on the type of airspace and the nature of the activity, pilots may be required to obtain clearances or permissions from ATC authorities before entering certain airspace.

Altitude Flight Limitation Restrictions

Refer to limitations imposed on aircraft regarding the maximum or minimum altitudes they are allowed to fly within specific airspace or under certain conditions.

Altitude restrictions often require aircraft to be equipped with barometric altimeters to ensure accurate altitude measurement and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Class:

  • Description
  • ATC Authorization
  • Two-Way Radio
  • Altitude Survey

Altitude Regulations:

B

  • Big City Airspace
  • YES
  • YES
  • YES

Extends upward from the surface or higher up to specific altitudes.

Within each segment, the floor and ceiling are denoted by one number over a second number or the letters SFC.

C

  • Small City Airspace
  • YES
  • YES
  • YES

Composed of two circles, both centered on primary airport.

> Inner surface area has a radius of 5 NM and extends from surface up to 4,000 feet AGL.

> Outer shelf has radius of 10 NM and extends vertically from 1,200 feet AGL up to 4,000 ft AGL.

D

  • Downtown Airspace
  • YES
  • YES
  • NO
Extends upward from the surface to 2,500 feet AGL.

E

  • Everywhere Airspace
  • NO
  • NO
  • NoNO

Typically, Class E airspace starts at 700 feet above ground level (AGL) and extends up to the floor of Class A airspace, which begins at 18,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) in the United States.

***Please view our Class E Airspace Notes Section for full details on regulations.

G

  • Ground Level Airspace
  • NO
  • NO
  • NO

Extends from the surface to the base of the overlying controlled (Class E) airspace, which is normally 700 or 1,200 feet AGL.

According to 14 CFR part 107, how may a remote pilot operate an unmanned aircraft in class C airspace?

A. The remote pilot must have prior authorization from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.

B. The remote pilot must monitor the Air Traffic Control (ATC) frequency from launch to recovery.

C. The remote pilot must contact the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility after launching the unmanned aircraft

Correct Answer: A – The remote pilot must have prior authorization from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.

Description: You will need an airspace waiver. “No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC).”

Click image to expand

(Refer to figure 78) You have been hired to use your small UAS to inspect the railroad tracks from Blencoe (SE of Sioux City) to Onawa. Will ATC authorization be required?

A. Yes, Onawa is in Class D airspace that is designated for an airport.

B. No, your entire flight is in Class G airspace.

C. Yes, you must contact the Onawa control tower to operate within 5 miles of the airport.

Correct Answer: B – No, your entire flight is in Class G airspace.

Description:
In this scenario, ATC (Air Traffic Control) authorization will not be required for the small sUAS inspection of the railroad tracks from Blencoe to Onawa.

The reason is that the entire flight is planned within Class G airspace, which is uncontrolled airspace.

Class G airspace typically extends from the surface to a specified altitude, and in this context, it allows for unmanned aircraft operations without the need for specific ATC authorization.

Operating within Class G airspace simplifies the regulatory requirements for the flight, and as such, ATC authorization is not necessary for this particular mission.

Click image to expand

(Refer to Figure 25, Area 3.) The floor of Class B airspace at Dallas Executive (RBD) is

A. 3,000 feet MSL.

B. at the surface.

C. 3,100 feet MSL

Correct Answer: A. 3,000 feet MSL.

Description:
Look for the fraction in the outer shelf area of Savannah’s airspace. You’ll notice it says 41/13, indicating the ceiling (41) and floor (13) of this Class C airspace in that part of the chart. Remember, they cut two 0s off, so this means 4,100 feet MSL, and 1,300 feet MSL.

We know this is not AGL because AGL is always listed in parentheses.

The 41/13 means that in this specific part of the chart, the ceiling of the Class C airspace is 41,000 feet MSL, and the floor is 1,300 feet MSL.

Click image to expand

(Refer to Figure 20, Area 1.) The Fentress NALF Airport (NFE) is in what type of airspace?

A. Class E.

B. Class G

C. Class C.

Correct Answer: A. Class E.

Description:
You can identify this by observing the dashed magenta line, indicating the presence of Class E airspace at the surface.

According to 14 CFR part 107 the remote pilot in command (PIC) of a small unmanned aircraft planning to operate within Class C airspace

A. must use a visual observer.

B. is required to receive ATC authorization.

C. is required to file a flight plan.

Correct Answer: B. is required to receive ATC authorization

Description:

Why A&B are not the answers:
A. Using a visual observer (VO) is not a universal requirement for all operations within Class C airspace under Part 107.

B. Filing a flight plan is not a requirement for small unmanned aircraft operations within Class C airspace under Part 107. While the PIC should be aware of and follow any local procedures, the specific requirement is to obtain ATC authorization.