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Airspace Classification
"Portions of this work are Copyright (c) 2009 Jeppesen.
Used By Permission"
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Classification of Air
The airspace around the world is divided into numerous Flight Information Regions, or FIRs, and
consist of both controlled and uncontrolled airspaces. Futhermore, the airspace is divided into
so-called airspace classes which denotes the level of ATC service provided and the rules and
regulations applicable to the specific airspace you are flying in. Worldwide there are seven
airspace classes defined as either Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, Class F or Class G
airspace. Class A represents the most restrictive airspace where no VFR traffic is allowed while
Class G is the least restrictive and is related to uncontrolled airspace.
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Class A Airspace
Aircraft flying within Class A airspace typically operate
at high speeds in the higher levels of the atmosphere.
As it would be impractical for pilots to reset their
altimeters every 100 nautical miles, every aircraft
operator is required to use a standard altimeter setting
of 29.92 in. Hg. (or 1013 hPa outside the United States)
in Class A airspace.This means that all aircraft maintain
their assigned altitudes as all use the same altimeter
reference. In addition, when the standard altimeter
setting is used once the transition altitude is crossed,
altitudes are prefaced by the letter FL, meaning flight
level, with the last two zeros omitted. For example,
39000 feet is calld FL390.
In order to fly in Class A airspace, there are certain guidelines that must be adhered:
1. The pilot in command must be rated and current for instrument flight.
2. The flight should be operated under an IFR plan and in accordance with an ATC clearance
at specified flight levels.
3. The aircraft must be equipped with instruments required for IFR operations, including a
transponder and encoding altimeter. Besides this, the aircraft also needs to have a radio
that provides direct pilot/controller communication on the frequency specified by ATC for
the area the flight is operating in.
4. In case VOR equipment is required for navigation, the aircraft operated should also have
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) if the flight is conducted at or above 24.000 feet
MSL. If a DME failure occurs, ATC should be informed instantly and the flight may continue
at or above 24.000 feet MSL and proceed to the nearest airport or airport of intended
landing.
Class B Airspace
Class B airspace is frequently established at the country's
busiest airports and is used to separate all arriving and
departing traffic. The airspace consists of a surface area
and two or more layers which are specifcally designed to
facilitate traffic separation at a particular terminal. As in
most airspaces, pilot participation is required and an ATC
clearance must be optained prior to entering Class B
airspace. In some countries Class B airspace areas have VFR
corridors to allow pilots of VFR aircraft to pass through
them without contacting ATC.
In order to fly in Class B airspace, the aircraft must be equipped with a two-way radio and a
4096-code transponder with C mode capability. However, a Mode S transponder can be used
anywhere a Mode C transponder is required for operation. For IFR operations, the aircraft must
also have a VOR receiver. In addition, the pilot in command should at least hold a private pilot
certificate.
Class C Airspace
At certain airports Class C airspace areas are designated,
which basiscally means that ATC is equipped to provide
radar service for all aircraft flying in this particular area.
Class C airspace normally consists of two circular areas
which extend outward from the primary airport and are
referred to as the "5 nautical mile radius core area" and
the "ten nautical mile radius shelf area". In addition, an
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 outer area extends ten nautical miles beyond the outer
circle. Pilot participation within this area is not required
although strongly encouraged. Before operating within the
core and shelf areas, the pilot must estabilish two-way
communication with ATC and maintain radio contact at all
times.

In case a take-off is commenced at a satellite airport located within Class C airspace, the pilot
must establish two-way communication with ATC as soon as practible.

In order to fly in Class C airspace, all aircraft must be equipped with an operable transponder
with Mode C capability. Aircraft operating underneath Class C airspace are not obliged to be
equipped with a transponder having Mode C capability.

Class D Airspace
Class D airspace areas are designated at airports that have
operating control towers which are not associated with
Class B or Class C airspace. Before entering Class D airspace
the pilot must establish and maintain two-way radio
communication with ATC (in this case the control tower).
Departing from an airport situated within Class D airspace
requires two-way radio communication with the tower as
well untill the moment the aircraft leaves this particular
area and switches to another frequency.

Some satellite airports are situated within the same Class D

airspace designated for the primary airport. In case this
satellite airport is a non-tower airfield, both arriving and
departing aircraft must establish radio contact with the
primary airport's control tower. If the satellite airport has a
control tower, similar two-way radio communication
requirements with that tower prevail for both arrivals and
departures.

Class D airspace usually extends to 2.500 feet above the

surface of the airport converted to mean sea level or MSL.
The ceiling of Class D airspace is usually shown in hundreds
of feet MSL on sectional charts. Furthermore, Class D
airspace consists of a circular area with a four nautical
mile radius but may vary depending on instrument
procedures established for that particular airfield.

Class E Airspace
Much of the remaining airspace is designated as Class E airspace. Flying within Class E airspace
does not mean that there are additional operating requirements beyond those mentioned
previously. To give an example, the aircraft must be equipped with a Mode C capable
transponder and the pilot must apply the appropriate cloud clearance and visibility requirements
when flying under VFR. As Class E airspace normally extends up to the lower limit of Class A
airspace, it is important to remember that operating under VFR is prohibited when crossing this
limit. Another segment of Class E airspace are the so-called Victor airways, or Federal Airways,
and are based on VOR to VORTAC navigation connecting one navaid to another. These airways are
identified by a V and the airway number.

Class E airspace transitional areas have also been established between airports and the airway
route system to allow IFR traffic to remain in controlled airspace while transitioning between the
enroute and airport environments.

Class F Airspace
Class F airspace is designated to confine activities that are potentially hazardous to aircraft that
are not involved in the activity. Class F airspace is usually divided into two categories, Advisory,
and Restricted.

Airspace within an Advisory area may be controlled or uncontrolled, or a combination of these

two. Class F Advisory airspace is commonly designated to those parts of the airspace where
activities such as gliding, high traffic training areas, military operations take place and it would
be of benefit to aircraft operators to be aware that such activities are taking place within this
particular area. Overall, VFR traffic should try to avoid these areas if practible while IFR traffic is
not permitted to enter Class F airspace unless the pilot has stated he has obtained permission to
do so.

Restricted areas are more dangerous than those designated as Advisory. They are established
when safety or security is an issue, for example when live firing or high speed training takes
place or around high importance locations. Although IFR traffic occasionally may cross Advisory
areas, aircraft are kept clear of Restricted areas by the appropriate vertical minimum.

Class G Airspace

Obviously, Class G airspace is that area which has not been designated as either Class A, Class B,
Class C, Class D, Class E or Class F airspace and is essentially uncontrolled by ATC. Airspace below
Class E airspace or below a Victor airway is normally uncontrolled. As already pointed out, within
Class G airspace ATC does not have responsibility for or authority over aircraft operating in this

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 particular area. However, most of the regulations that affect pilots and aircraft still apply.
Although it is not necessary to file a flight plan for IFR flight in uncontrolled airspace, both pilot
and aircraft must still be fully qualified to operate under IFR. In many cases, the day weather
minimums for VFR flight are reduced from those in controlled airspace as can be seen in table 1.

Table 1: Weather minimums for VFR operations in Class G airspace.

Altitude Flight Visibility Distance From Clouds
1.200 feet or less above
surface Day: 1 Statute Mile Clear of Clouds

Night: 3 Statute Miles 500 Feet Below

1.000 Feet Above
2.000 Feet Horizontal

More than 1.200 feet above 500 Feet Below

surface, but less than 10.000 Day: 1 Statute Mile 1.000 Feet Above
feet MSL 2.000 Feet Horizontal
Night: 3 Statute Miles

More than 1.200 feet above Day & Night: 5 Statute Miles
the surface and at or above 1.000 Feet Below
10.000 feet MSL 1.000 Feet Above
1 Statute Mile Horizontal

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