Air Traffic Control (ATC)
ATC often has individual difference in technique and procedure, which are within the limits of regulations. Being a controller is as much art in dealing with separation, navigation and procedure as it is regulations. One controller may use altitude restrictions while another uses vectors. There is more variation of procedures than there are pilots or controllers. Valid flexibility makes the system work; rigid compliance is a device used to make the system collapse.
A controller can assign altitudes to VFR traffic in Classes B, C, D, and E. Any controller clearance is supposed to be unambiguous. The distinction between immediate and expedite instructions is that immediate means urgent compliance is required while expedite allows some delay. If you ever have a problem with compliance, speak up. A good controller will not overload a pilot with a clearance. Two items are the preferred limit such as heading and altitude limit.
If ATC gives a traffic call or point out with nothing further, don’t let it stop there. Let the controller know that you are looking but will accept any avoidance procedures he might suggest. Don’t let ATC leave the avoidance of an aircraft you can’t find up to you.
Class "A" - Above
Class "B" - Busy
Class "C" - Crowded
Class "D" - Dangerous
Class "E" - Enjoyable
Class "G" - Greatest of all
CLASS Alpha
Above 18,000 Mean Sea Level to 60,000. IFR Clearance required. Aircraft must have proper equipment and pilot must be IFR qualified. High-level airway routes have direct courses and begin at FL (flight level) 180 and extend to FL 450.
Class A is always effective.
Class A = Altitude...
Airspace requirement:
Full ATC service provided.
Clearance
Aircraft separation
Safety alerts
Communications two/way
Aircraft required equipment include
IFR certified aircraft
720 frequency com/nav radio.
Mode C encoding transponder required
DME above 24,000’
Pilot requirements include:
IFR current
High altitude endorsement
Incidentals:
Jet routes not shown on VFR Charts or low-level IFR en route charts
No weather requirements
Not charted
CLASS Bravo
Class B = Busy
Any ATC clearance/instruction requiring VFR entry into clouds must be refused. 250 kt speed restriction. Exists inside areas and altitudes (10,000) shown by solid blue lines. Floors and ceilings are shown in blue. The airspace is always in effect. Communications frequencies shown in blue as well as below legend panel part of charts.
Operations:
IFR and VFR with clearance required for entry or departure into. Not to ask for a clearance into Class B according to the NTSB shows a lack of positional awareness. However, being given a heading into Class B, without any instructions to the contrary might be considered a clearance. Avoid questionable opportunities for the initiation of an FAA action. Get a clearance well away from Class B. Special flight rules VFR corridor through Class B requires a clearance.
All airport operations require 3-sm visibility and 1000' ceiling for VFR.
Airspace requirements:
Clearance into/out of required.
VFR requires 3 statute mile visibility clear of clouds
SVFR to lower visibility to 1 mile available when ceilings are less than 1000’.
Clear of clouds
Aircraft separation
Traffic advisories may not be available
Collision avoidance may not be available
Safety alerts
Aircraft requirements include:
No VOR requirement except for IFR flight
Mode C transponder required within 30nm of primary airport.
Mode C required above and below footprint to 10,000'
Mode C required above 10,000 MSL except below 2500 AGL
2 way radio/communications requirement
250kt speed limit
Pilot requirements include:
Private Certificate
Private and student O.K. but student cannot land SFO.
Student may be allowed to land with proper sign-off at places like Hawaii.
Incidentals:
Box name will have over it "No SVFR"
Helicopter SVFR may exist
VFR minimums is 3sm visibility and clear of clouds
CLASS Charlie
= Contact...
Requires transponder with encoder use above tops, below shelves out to lateral limits depicted on sectional
Inner circle to surface
Radio contact but not clearance required.
Outer circle to MSL altitude on chart
ARSA will be outlined in solid magenta.
SVFR available
Some Class C airports can be entered much as Class D airports by avoiding outside area of Class C. (Oakland)
Standard VFR cloud clearances and visibilities apply.
All airport operations require 3-sm visibility and 1000' ceiling for VFR.
Consists of controlled airspace around a tower-controlled airport from surface to designated altitude of 4000’ AGL. Exists inside areas lined with magenta as well as inside blue lines when connecting two magenta lines. Floor and ceiling is shown in magenta. Present VFR cloud clearances and visibilities apply. Part-time ARSAs change to Class D or E when radar service ceases.
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