National Airspace System Flashcards
(44 cards)
Class A airspace
Class A Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: 18,000 MSL to FL600.
Operating Prerequisites: IFR clearance required.
Pilot Requirements: Instrument Rating.
Equipment: IFR-equipped aircraft, Mode C transponder.
VFR Visibility/Cloud Clearance: Not applicable (IFR only)
Class B airspace
Class B Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Surface to 10,000 MSL (varies).
Operating Prerequisites: ATC clearance to enter.
Pilot Requirements: Private Pilot (or student with endorsement).
Equipment: Two-way radio, Mode C transponder.
VFR: 3 SM visibility, clear of clouds.
Class C airspace
Class C Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Surface to 4,000 MSL (5sm and 10sm)
Operating Prerequisites: Two-way radio communication with ATC.
Pilot Requirements: Student Pilot Certificate.
Equipment: Two-way radio, Mode C transponder.
VFR: 3 SM visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds.
Class D airspace
Class D Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Surface to 2,500MSL.
Operating Prerequisites: Two-way radio communication with ATC.
Pilot Requirements: Student Pilot Certificate.
Equipment: Two-way radio.
VFR: 3 SM visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds
Class E airspace
Class E Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Begins at surface, 700 AGL, or 1,200 AGL up to 18,000 MSL.
Operating Prerequisites: None for VFR; IFR requires ATC clearance.
Pilot Requirements: Student Pilot Certificate.
Equipment: None for VFR; IFR requires Mode C transponder above 10,000 MSL.
VFR:
Below 10,000 MSL: 3 SM visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds.
Above 10,000 MSL: 5 SM visibility; 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 1 SM horizontal from clouds.
Class G airspace
Class G Airspace
Vertical Dimensions: Surface up to 700 AGL, 1,200 AGL, or 14,500 MSL.
Operating Prerequisites: None for VFR.
Pilot Requirements: Student Pilot Certificate.
Equipment: None for VFR.
VFR:
Below 1,200 AGL (Day): 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds.
Above 1,200 AGL to 10,000
MSL (Day): 1 SM visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds.
Above 10,000 MSL: 5 SM visibility; 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 1 SM horizontal from clouds.
When conducting flight operations into an airport with a controlled tower, when should initial contact be established?
at least approximately 10 miles from the airport boundary
What is the airspace above FL 600?
Class E
What do you need to penetrate a Mode C vail?
Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, aircraft operating within this airspace must be equipped with an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting capability and operable ADS-B Out equipment
what is the difference between a mode-c and adsb-out
while both provide information about an aircraft’s position and altitude, ADS-B Out is a more advanced system than Mode C, primarily because ADS-B uses satellite technology to broadcast data automatically, whereas Mode C relies on radar interrogation from ground stations to report altitude information; essentially, ADS-B Out is considered a more modern upgrade to Mode C, and often requires a Mode C transponder as well to meet airspace requirements in certain areas
What airspace requires you to have aMode C altitude encoding transponder?
A Mode C transponder, also known as an altitude encoder, is required in the following airspace:
Class A, B, or C airspace: Pilots need a Mode C transponder to operate in these airspace classes.
Above 10,000 ft MSL: Pilots need a Mode C transponder to operate at altitudes above 10,000 ft MSL.
Mode C Veil: Pilots need a Mode C transponder to operate within a 30 nautical mile radius of a Class B airspace primary airport.
What is a TRSA? What does it provide?
Terminal Radar Service Area
a designated airspace around busy airports where air traffic control provides additional radar services to pilots, including traffic advisories and sequencing, to help maintain aircraft separation, particularly for both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and participating Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft
Warning Area
Warning Area
Airspace extending from 3 NM outward from the U.S. coast containing hazardous activities to nonparticipating aircraft.
Purpose: Warn pilots of dangers like gunnery or missile tests.
Fact: Activities within may be as dangerous as those in restricted areas but over international waters.
Alert Area
Alert Area
Areas with high volumes of pilot training or unusual aerial activity.
Purpose: Alert pilots to remain vigilant.
Fact: VFR traffic is allowed but must exercise extreme caution due to dense traffic or unusual maneuvers.
MOA
MOA (Military Operations Area)
Airspace for military training, such as air combat exercises or formation flying.
Pilots: VFR can enter, but IFR traffic needs ATC clearance.
Fact: Check sectional charts for MOA locations and active times.
You can fly through it without permission but check the sectional chart for hours of operation
the back side of the sectional
Prohibited Area
Prohibited Area
Airspace where all flight is prohibited for national security reasons.
Examples: White House, Camp David.
Fact: Violating prohibited areas can result in interception or legal penalties.
Restricted Area
Restricted Area
Airspace with hazardous activities like missile testing or gunnery exercises.
Entry: Requires ATC clearance when active.
Fact: Often marked with an “R” followed by numbers (e.g., R-2502).
Controlled Firing Area
Controlled Firing Area (CFA)
Airspace with activities that stop immediately when an aircraft is detected.
Purpose: No impact on nonparticipating traffic.
Fact: CFAs are not charted, so vigilance is key near known military zones
National Security Area
National Security Area (NSA)
Airspace where pilots are requested to avoid for security reasons.
Mandatory Restrictions: Can temporarily prohibit entry.
Fact: Used for sensitive areas like nuclear facilities.
Military Training Route
MTR (Military Training Route)
Routes for military aircraft traveling at high speeds/low altitudes.
Types: IFR (IR) or VFR (VR).
Fact: Routes with four-digit numbers stay below 1,500 AGL; three-digit routes may extend above.
Temporary Flight Restriction
TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction)
Temporary restrictions for safety or security reasons (e.g., VIP travel, wildfires).
Examples: Presidential visits, sporting events, disaster relief.
Fact: Check NOTAMs before every flight to avoid violating TFRs.
VFR Corridor
VFR Corridor
A designated route through Class B airspace allowing VFR aircraft to transit without ATC clearance.
Purpose: Provides safe passage through busy airspace.
Fact: VFR corridors are like “tunnels” through Class B, marked on sectional charts.
VFR Flyway
VFR Flyway
Suggested routes for VFR traffic to avoid Class B airspace.
Pilot Requirements: No ATC clearance required.
Fact: Flyways are not restricted; pilots must ensure proper altitude and course.
VFR Transition Route
VFR Transition Route
ATC-designated routes for VFR traffic through Class B airspace.
Pilot Requirements: Requires ATC clearance.
Fact: Follow depicted altitudes and headings for separation from other traffic.
