How Does Pilot Identifies Flying Zone?
How Pilot Identifies Flying Zone?
How Pilot Identifies Flying Zone?
How Pilot Identifies Flying Zone?
How Pilot Identifies Flying Zone?
Airspace as the name indicates, it is the space in the air for the flight operations, for a layman it is sufficient but for an avid technophile it is not sufficient. In this article we are going to know more about airspace. All of you know that flight navigation in mid air is provided by the air traffic control (ATC) at the ground but how ATC provides these services. In the field of aeronautics airspace is defined in terms of MSL and according to this ATC provides services. More precisely you can define airspace as – Controlled Airspace is a generic term that covers the different classifications of airspace and defined dimensions within which ATC service is provided in accordance with airspace classification.
A controlled airspace is consists of Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E airspace. There are further classifications of airspace but I will not consider them here because they are used for special purpose or are uncategorized.
Class A Airspace
Class A airspace is generally the airspace from 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) up to and including flight level (FL) 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles (NM) of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska. Unless otherwise authorized, all operation in Class A airspace is conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR).
Class B Airspace
Class B airspace is generally airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation’s busiest airports in terms of airport operations or passenger enplanements. The configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored, consists of a surface area and two or more layers (some Class B airspace areas resemble upside-down wedding cakes), and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all aircraft that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace.
Class C Airspace
Class C airspace is generally airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower, are serviced by a radar approach control, and have a certain number of IFR operations or passenger enplanements. Although the configuration of each Class C area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a surface area with a five NM radius, an outer circle with a ten NM radius that extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation. Each aircraft must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services prior to entering the airspace and thereafter must maintain those communications while within the airspace.
Class D Airspace
Class D airspace is generally airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored and, when instrument procedures are published, the airspace is normally designed to contain the procedures. Arrival extensions for instrument approach procedures (IAPs) may be Class D or Class E airspace. Unless otherwise authorized, each aircraft must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services prior to entering the airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while in the airspace.
Class E Airspace
Class E airspace is the controlled airspace not classified as Class A, B, C, or D airspace. A large amount of the airspace over the United States is designated as Class E airspace.
Class G Airspace
There are some uncontrolled or class G airspace. These airspaces are the portions o airspace that cannot be categorized as Class A, B, C, D or E and that is why they are designated as uncontrolled. Class G airspace extends from surface to the base of overlying class E airspace. ATC have no authority to control air traffic in this airspace. There are VFRs (Visual Flight Rules) that applies to Class G airspace and it is expected that pilot should know the rules.
Special Use Airspace
It is also called as SAO or Special Area of Operations. Special use airspace or SAO is the designation given to certain airspace in which certain activities are confined or where limitations may be imposed on aircraft operations that are not the part of operations. How the pilots knows where to enter or not, the answer is SAO area are depicted on instrument charts that includes the area, name, number, time, weather, agency, effective altitude and controlling authority. SAO are usually consists of prohibited areas, restricted areas, warning areas, military operation areas and controlled firing areas (CFR).
Other airspace areas:
The name is given to remaining airspace and majority of this airspace includes:
Local airport advisory (LAA)
Military training route (MTR)
Temporary flight restriction (TFR)
Parachute jump aircraft operations
Published VFR routes
Terminal radar service area (TRSA)
National security area (NSA)
Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) land and water based and need for Defense VFR (DVFR) flight plan to operate VFR in this airspace
Intercept Procedures and use of 121.5 for communication if not on ATC already
Flight Restricted Zones (FRZ) in vicinity of Capitol and White House.
Special Awareness Training required by 14 CFR 91.161 for pilots to operate VFR within 60 NM of the Washington, DC VOR/DME.
Wildlife Areas/Wilderness Areas/National Parks and request to operate above 2,000 AGL.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Areas off the coast with requirement to operate above 2,000 AGL.
Tethered Balloons for observation and weather recordings that extend on cables up to 60,000.
