The National Airspace System

1
The National Airspace System

• Dave Horne, CFI
• Shoreline Flying Club

2
Lesson Objectives

• Understand the different types and classes of
  airspace
• Be able to explain the VFR weather minimums
• Understand the entry requirements into each class
  of airspace
• Be familiar with the equipment requirements for
  each type of airspace

3
Associated Text

• Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
• Chapter 13

4
Airspace Classifications

• Regulatory
• Parts 71 and 73
• Non-Regulatory

5
Airspace Types

• Controlled
• Uncontrolled
• Special Use
• Other

6
Controlled Airspace

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D
• Class E
• Class G

7
Class A

• FL180 (Flight Level 1-8-0 18,000MSL) to FL600
• All airplanes must be on an instrument flight
  plan no VFR traffic
• Entry by clearance only
• Pilots must be instrument rated

8
Class B

• B for BIG airports
• Shaped like an upside down wedding cake
• Surface to about 10,000
• Entry Requirements
• Must be cleared into the airspace
• Required Equipment
• Two-way radio communications, Transponder with
  altitude reporting capability

9
Class B

• Weather Requirements
• 3sm of visibility
• Clear of Clouds
• Minimum Pilot Certification
• Private Pilot
• Mode C Veil
• 30nm radius around the airport
• Mode C transponder required at all times

10
Class C

• Medium sized airports
• San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, Fresno
• Entry Requirements
• Establish Communication
• Required Equipment
• Two way radio, altitude encoding transponder
• Weather Minimums
• Standard VFR weather minimums
• 1000 above 500 below 2000 horizontal
• 3sm of visibility

11
Class C
12
Class C

• Structure
• 5 mile radius
• Surface to 4,000agl
• 10 mile radius
• 1,200agl to 4,000agl
• Radar services will be provided outside of the
  airspace for several miles

13
Class D

• Smaller, towered airports
• Palo Alto, San Carlos etc
• Entry Requirements
• Establish Communications
• Required Equipment
• Two-way radio
• Weather Minimums
• Standard VFR (1000 above, 500 below, 2000
  horizontal, 3sm visibility)

14
Class D

• Structure
• Extends from the surface to 2,500agl
• Shape of the airspace will be tailored to meet
  the needs of the area
• Typically 4 mile radius

15
Class E

• Controlled Airspace that is not A, B, C, or D
• E for Everywhere
• Weather Minimums
• Below 10,000
• Standard VFR
• Above 10,000
• 1000 above, 1000 below, 1SM side to side 5sm vis

16
Class E

• Airspace Begins
• 1200 feet above the ground normally
• Uncontrolled Airspace below that

17
Class E

• Airspace Begins
• 700 feet above the ground

18
Class E

• Airspace Begins
• Surface

19
Class E

• Victor Airways
• Highways in the sky
• 4 NM to each side of the airway

20
Class G

• Uncontrolled Airspace
• ATC has no authority or responsibility
• Structure
• Surface to 14,500msl unless otherwise depicted
• Surface to 1,200agl in most cases

21
Class G

• Entry Requirements
• None
• Required Equipment
• None

22
Class G

• VFR Weather Requirements
• 1,200agl or less (traffic pattern)
• DAY
• 1sm Clear of Clouds
• NIGHT
• Standard VFR weather miniums

23
Class G

• VFR Weather Requirements
• More than 1,200agl but less than 10,000MSL
• DAY
• 1000 above, 500 below, 2000 horizontal
• 1sm of visibility
• NIGHT
• Standard VFR Weather Minimums

24
Class G

• VFR Weather Requirements
• Above 10,000MSL at least 1,200AGL
• 5 miles of visibility
• 1000 above
• 1000 below
• 1sm horizontal

25
Special Use Airspace

• Prohibited Areas
• Restricted Areas
• Warning Areas
• Military Operating Areas (MOA)
• Alert Areas
• Controlled Firing Areas

26
Prohibited Area

• Established for national security or other
  reasons
• All flight into this area is prohibited
• Controlling agency CAN NOT clear you into this
  area
• Military flight may be conducted here
• Airspace valid times can be found on your
  sectional chart

27
Prohibited Area
28
Restricted Area

• Restricted for normal operations
• Hazards may be present
• Artillery
• Aerial gunnery
• Guided missiles
• Etc.

29
Restricted Area

• Entry
• Permission from controlling agency
• Valid times and controlling agency are listed on
  your sectional chart

30
Restricted Area
31
Warning Area

• Hazardous airspace to non-participating aircraft
• Established 3sm miles off shore

32
Warning Area
33
Military Operating Area (MOA)

• Separates certain military activity from IFR
  traffic
• VFR traffic may fly through an active MOA
• Pilot Risk
• Controlling agency and valid times are listed on
  your sectional chart

34
Military Operating Area (MOA)
35
Alert Area

• Published in areas of high student training
• Unusual aerial activity

36
Controlled Firing Area

• Hazardous activities
• Activity must stop when a non-participating
  aircraft enters the area

37
Other Airspace Types

• Airport Advisory Area
• Military Training Route
• Temporary Flight Restrictions
• Parachute Jump Areas
• Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)
• National Security Area

38
Airport Advisory Area

• Flight Service Stations provide service to pilots
  when the tower is closed
• Only at airports with a flight service station

39
Military Training Route

• Allows the military to conduct low-altitude, high
  speed training
• Routes above 1,500agl are for IFR
• Routes below 1,500agl are for VFR
• Identification
• IR for Instrument
• VR for visual

40
Military Training Route
41
Temporary Flight Restrictions

• FDC NOTAM
• Flight into a TRF is prohibited
• Criteria
• Protect persons from a hazard
• Disaster Relief
• Prevent unsafe sightseeing
• Protect the president and other public figures

42
Parachute Jump Areas

• Listed in the Airport Facility Directory (A/FD)
• Depicted on sectional charts

43
Published VFR Routes

• VFR Transition around busy airspace
• VFR Flyways, Corridors, Class B, Transition route

44
Terminal Radar Service Area

• Participating Pilots receive radar services
• Participation is voluntary
• Treat it as if it is Class C airspace

45
National Security Area

• Pilots are asked to avoid flying through these
  areas
• Voluntary
• TFRs may be issued to prohibit flight