Contents

D. Task: 
NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM 
REFERENCES: FARs 71, 91, Charts, and AIM
P Knowledge of National Airspace System
EX VFR minimums for all airspaces
Airspace classes, boundaries, pilot requirements, aircraft requirements for: Classes A, B, C, D, E, G, special use and other.

Airspace
The reason for changes is to simplify and commonality with rest of world. Expected to simplify pilot certification requirements, aircraft equipment requirements, and ATC services for each class of airspace.   "Since 9/11 there are three kinds of airspace: uncontrolled, controlled, and over controlled". (Joke )

If Classes overlap the rules for the higher class apply.This prevents overlapping. The ARSA of an airport (Class C) preempts a control zone of an adjacent airport (Class D)

Airspace with radar advisories available, but not required, will probably be ringed in black. 200-kt speed limit will be below 2500’ AGL Bravo, Charlie as standard but some Delta airspace will have a 4.4 nm radius with some only 3.1 nm. Delta and Echo airspace extensions of the Delta footprint exist only when the tower is open. Palm Springs in CA

One of the beauties of IFR clearance flying even on VFR flights is that you just fly your clearance. There will be no changes in IFR rules or operations. Airspace restrictions and requirements do not exist as a problem. However, you are expected to be flawless in maintaining your altitude and course. IFR charts will neither depict towered airports surrounded by Class D airspace nor show the Class Echo-surface airports.

The purpose of VFR minimums is to protect and separate VFR aircraft from IFR aircraft. IFR pilots are guaranteed by the government that they are alone in airspace below VFR minimums. The government guaranteed Liberty Bonds after

Airspace with radar advisories available, but not required, will probably be ringed in black. 200-kt speed limit will be below 2500’ AGL Bravo, Charlie as standard but some Delta airspace will have a 4.4 nm radius with some only 3.1 nm. Delta and Echo airspace extensions of the Delta footprint exist only when the tower is open.

The FAA has a method of selection and requirements that restrict or allow aircraft operations in airspace.
--One criteria is weather in terms of clouds, visibility variable by altitude
--Aircraft instrumentation has place, altitude, and navigation requirements
--Communication requirements are an additional limitation and requirement.
--The regulations contain all the weather, equipment, communications and pilot restrictions.
--Aviation charts, maps and FARs have a wide variety of symbols and words giving need to know information.
--As a pilot you must combine all these sources as they may influence what you do on a specific flight.

Two kinds: controlled and uncontrolled
--Controlled airspace is charted areas where ATC provides services both IFR and VFR.
--Available transponder must be used in controlled airspace.
--Uncontrolled airspace has no ATC services (FSS Service exception)
--Vignette airspace is weather controlled and shades from uncontrolled to controlled as magenta and blue
--The blue vignette of 1200' shows on sectionals only when beside uncontrolled up to 14500'
--On average there is a three mile difference between radar depiction and GPS depiction
--Class E has both aloft space that moves 1200' down to 700'
--Class E also has a surface based footprint shown by dashed magenta lines…usually circles and extensions of airport footprint..

Airspace Violations
Major space problems with ATC in order of occurrence are:
Entering ARSA/TCA without authorization
Runway incursions
Altitude deviations.

A violation of Class C airspace typically results in a 60 or 90 day suspension of flight privileges. The typical violation is when a pilot enters the airspace without establishing communications. Next most common would be failing to have transponder to mode C when either above or below the footprint of the Class C airspace. Many pilots have never been trained to fly in these new airspaces so retraining may also be required. To date only one out of every ten violations have escaped sanction. Ignorance is not an excuse. Failing to have a current sectional may result in an additional violation. Class C airspace is usually an area of high volume traffic. Get all the help you can.

Altitude & Airspace
Just reading the FARs does not do justice to the intricacies of what the practical applications of altitude requirements as applied in the real world of flying. The best way to study the airspace requirements is to plan several different flights between airports and run through the altitude and communications requirements.

Within 700/1200’ of the ground in daytime the required cloud clearance is only "clear of clouds" and 1 mile visibility in the direction being flown. At night the requirements are 500/1000/2000 clear of clouds and 3 mile visibility unless within ½ mile of airport and in pattern.

Within 3000’ of the ground, in VFR conditions, where 500/1000/2000 cloud clearance and 3 mile visibility can be maintained, there is no restriction as to what direction you must be flying in Class E airspace. Neither is there such a restriction if you are climbing and descending, regardless of altitude up to 18,000’. Above 10,000’ you must maintain 1000/1000/1 mile clear of clouds and 5 mile visibility. You must have an operating transponder above 10,000’. 

If you become uncertain as to how the hemispheric rule applies to the magnetic course you are flying make gradual climbs and descents and you will technically never be in violation if you maintain the appropriate cloud clearance and visibility.

When it comes to choosing a flight altitude in VFR conditions between two points it is important that you consider several items:

--Avoid 3000’. Remember local flights tend to stay below 3000’. No need to go high for short distances.

--Most pilots tend to fly at even 500s even below 3000. Choose a unique altitude so as to avoid traffic.

--Above 3000 AGL (Above Ground Level) you must fly according to the hemispheric rule. Fly at 7,500 or 8,500 to minimize traffic conflicts but be aware when you cross, parallel or fly airways you should have local altimeter setting.

Choose an altitude appropriate to the terrain and airports. This means that route selection may be predicated on several factors. Choose an altitude appropriate to the winds. Winds usually increase in velocity with altitude. Plan accordingly. Choose an altitude with reference to special airspace restrictions, local hazards and cloud layers. (It is more likely to be a rough flight below clouds.

Flying low below a cloud deck and unlimited visibility has a variety of rules that change according to the IFR rule requirements. The VFR pilot must know how IFR rules and weather affect his VFR flight. Flyways such as SAC to OAK have transition floors of 700’. The West Side of the Central Valley has mostly transition floors of 1200’ except near airports with instrument approaches where the Class E airspace may reach the surface. Weather minimums jump to 3-mile visibility and 500/1000/2000-cloud clearance. IFR operations may exist. The lateral boundaries of Classes B, C, D, and E footprint when operational assures IFR pilots that VFR pilots will not be operating below VFR minimums. Airports with non-precision approaches, everything except the ILS, do not have Class E to the surface when the controlling facility is closed. The surface area becomes Class G below 700 feet. At night below basic VFR minimums you must not only remain within 700’ of the surface, but within ½ mile of the runway.

Additionally, when in communication with ATC you come upon unique kinds of airspace. There is "My airspace" which is defined by geographic indicators or VOR radials. A careful look at an SFO sVFR Area Chart will show that the ‘upside-down wedding cake is divided into many areas in this way. Airspace that is not "my airspace" is "your airspace". Altitude on the VFR Area Chart has many divisions determined by altitude. In heavy traffic areas the MY is separated from the YOUR most often by altitude. Thus, many of the heading assignments and altitude restrictions are used to keep you in the MY airspace or to hand you off to YOUR airspace. At this point ATC or the FARs tell you to change frequencies.

Part-time Airspace
Sectional and terminal charts will show the distinction between the categories of airspace that occur over a 24-hour period. All part-time Class D will be annotated to indicate change to Class D/E or Class D/G. The legend section of these charts will have an additional column. In addition the information will be available in the A/FD. Always check the NOTAMS for temporary changes in Class C, weather reports available in Class E, or changes in communications requirements.

Pilots are required to establish and maintain radio contact with any tower in Classes B, C, D, E and G airspace. The inclusion of E and G airspace is affected if there is a tower present and operating, weather reporting and instrument approaches without towers require entry/exit clearances when below VFR minimums (Visalia, CA). Towers are now known as Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs)

 

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