National Airspace System Flashcards
(84 cards)
1
Q
What are the two categories of airspace?
A
Regulatory and non-regulatory
2
Q
What kinds of airspace qualify as “regulatory?”
A
Class A, B, C, D, E, Restricted Areas, and Prohibited Areas
3
Q
What kinds of airspace qualify as “non-regulatory?” MCWAN
A
Military Operations Areas, Warning Areas, Alert Areas, Controlled Firing Areas, and National Security Areas
4
Q
What are the four types of airspace?
A
Controlled, Uncontrolled, Special Use, Other
5
Q
What is “controlled airspace?”
A
It is airspace under the jurisdiction of ATC and where ATC services are available.
6
Q
What are the airspace classes?
A
Class A, B, C, D, E, G
7
Q
What altitude does class A airspace start at and extend up to?
A
Class A starts at 18,000 MSL and goes up to FL600.
8
Q
What equipment is required for class A airspace?
A
- Two-way radio
- Transponder with altitude reporting
- ADS B-out
- Distance measuring equipment (DME) FL240 if using VORs for navigation
9
Q
What are the entry requirements and pilot qualification for class A airspace?
A
- IFR Flight Plan
- plane must be IFR equipped
- instrument rating.
10
Q
How is Class B airspace depicted on the sectional chart?
A
bold, blue line with the associated altitudes listed within each section
11
Q
What are the dimensions of Class B airspace?
A
- Each Class B airspace is tailored to the needs of its approach and departure requirements.
- resembles an upside down wedding cake
- extends approximately thirty miles from the primary airport.
12
Q
What altitude does class B airspace start at and extend up to?
A
Generally extends from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL.
13
Q
What equipment is required for class B airspace?
A
- Two-way radio
- transponder with altitude reporting
- ADS B-out.
14
Q
What are the entry requirements and pilot qualification for class B airspace?
A
- Establish two-way radio communications
- cleared into that specific airspace with your tail number or call sign.
- PPL or student pilot certificate with the proper endorsement.
- ADS-Band have a Mode C transponder
15
Q
Do any Class B airports prohibit student pilot operations?
A
Yes. The list of airports can be found in the FAR/AIM.
16
Q
What encompasses the entire Class Bravo Airspace?
A
- A Mode C Veil which extends 30 nautical miles from the primary class B airport
- any aircraft inside, above, or below the Bravo must have a Mode C transponder and ADS B-Out
17
Q
What are the speed restrictions for Class B airspace?
A
Class B airspace below 10,000’ MSL is restricted to 250 KIAS.
18
Q
How fast can you fly underneath Class B airspace?
A
Under a Class B ‘shelf,’ the maximum airspeed is 200 KIAS.
19
Q
What is a Class B VFR transition route, and where do you find information about them?
A
- recommended flight path for VFR traffic to traverse Class B airspace.
- Info found on Terminal Area Charts
- can be downloaded on ForeFlight from the “Visual Chart Supplemental” folder.
20
Q
Is a clearance required to fly a VFR transition route?
A
Yes, you are flying through the Class B airspace and explicit clearance into the airspace is still required.
21
Q
What is a VFR corridor?
A
A VFR corridor is a “hole” in Class B airspace through which VFR aircraft can fly
22
Q
Is a clearance required to use a VFR corridor?
A
No. A VFR corridor is not technically inside Class B airspace, but each corridor has its own procedures.
23
Q
What is a VFR Flyway?
A
A VFR Flyway is an efficient path designed to take you around a complex terminal environment
24
Q
Is a clearance required to use a VFR Flyway, and where can you find information about them?
A
- clearance is not required; exists outside of the Class B, C, or D airspace.
- Info can be found on Terminal Area Charts, ForeFlight documents library > “Fly Charts”
25
How is Class C airspace depicted on the sectional chart?
- solid magenta lines
- airspace altitudes depicted within each section of the airspace
26
What altitude does class C airspace start at and extend up to?
- individually tailored for its specific needs
Generally, inner ring extends from surface to 4,000 feet AGL + radius of about five miles
- outer ring extends from 1,200 to 4,000 feet AGL + radius of about ten miles
27
What equipment is required for class C airspace?
Two-way radio, transponder with altitude reporting, and ADS B-out
28
What are the entry requirements and pilot qualifications for class C airspace?
- positive two-way radio comms must be established with tail number/call sign.
- no specific pilot qualifications
29
What is the procedure for departing a non-towered airport located within the Class C (or D) airspace surface area? Is a takeoff clearance from ATC required?
- takeoff clearance from the primary airport not required.
- must contact ATC facility having jurisdiction of airspace as soon as practicable after departing satellite airport.
30
What are the speed restrictions in Class C airspace?
may not operate aircraft at or below 2,500’ above the surface within 4 NM of the primary airport of a Class C (or D) airspace faster than 200 KIAS.
31
How is Class D airspace depicted on sectional charts?
dashed blue line
32
What are the dimensions of Class D airspace?
- tailored to the needs of the location
- generally a radius of about 4 NM + extends from surface to 2,500’ AGL.
33
What equipment is required for class D airspace?
two-way radio
34
What are the entry requirements and pilot qualifications for class D airspace?
- Establish positive two-way radio comms w/ tail number or call sign
- No specific pilot qualifications for class D
35
What are the speed limits within Class D airspace?
may not operate at or below 2,500’ above the surface within 4 NM of the primary airport of a Class D (or C) airspace faster than 200KIAS.
36
Where can Echo airspace start and where does it extend up to?
- typically starts at 1,200 feet AGL + extends up to 17,999 feet MSL.
- can also start on the surface (shown by a dashed magenta line)
- can start at 700 feet AGL (shown by the fuzzy side of the magenta vignette)
- Echo a.k.a. everywhere airspace fills gaps over top + underneath other airspaces.
37
What equipment is required in Class Echo airspace?
- Below 10,000 feet MSL: None
- Above 10,000 feet MSL: 2-way radio, transponder with altitude reporting capabilities and ADS B-Out
38
What is the main difference between Class Golf airspace and all other classifications of airspace?
uncontrolled airspace
39
Where does Class G typically start and extend up to?
- Begins at surface + extends up to but not including 1,200 feet AGL
- Can also begin at surface + extend up to but not including 700 feet AGL.
- Shown by the fuzzy side of the magenta vignette
- Can start at the surface and extend up to 14,500 feet MSL shown by a blue vignette (rare cases)
40
What equipment is required in Class Golf airspace?
None
41
How is Class G airspace depicted on a sectional chart?
It is; Class G exists where Class A, B, C, D, and E do not exist.
42
What are the VFR weather minimums for class C, D & E airspace below 10,000 MSL?
- 3 statute miles
- 500 below
- 1000 above
- 2000 horizontal
43
What are the VFR weather minimums for class B airspace below 10,000 MSL?
- 3 statute miles
- clear of clouds
44
What are the VFR weather minimums for class E airspace above 10,000 MSL?
- 5 statute miles
- 1000 below
- 1000 above
- 1 statute mile horizontal
45
What are the VFR weather minimums for class G airspace 1,200 AGL or higher during the night?
- 3 statute miles
- 500 below
- 1000 above
- 2000 horizontal
46
What are the VFR weather minimums for class G airspace 1,200 AGL or higher during the day?
- 1 statute miles
- 500 below
- 1000 above
- 2000 horizontal
47
What are the VFR weather minimums for class G airspace below 1,200 AGL during the day?
- 1 statute mile
- clear of clouds
48
What are the VFR weather minimums for class G airspace below 1,200 AGL during the night?
- 3 statute miles
- 500 below
- 1000 above
- 2000 horizontal
49
What are the different types of Special Use Airspace (SUA)? MCPRAWN
Military operations area (MOA)
Controlled firing area
Prohibited area
Restricted area
Alert area
Warning area
National Security area.
50
What is a military operations area (MOA)?
Separates military training from IFR traffic.
51
Can VFR Aircraft fly through a MOA?
VFR aircraft can fly through a MOA, exercise extreme caution
52
What occurs inside a MOA?
Air combat tactics
air intercepts
aerobatics
formation flying
low altitude tactics.
53
Are communications required with ATC inside a MOA?
Communication with ATC is recommended (hot or cold, active or inactive).
54
At what altitude do MOAs start?
tailored for the needs of the airspace.
55
Are controlled firing areas depicted on a sectional chart?
No, controlled firing areas are not charted.
56
Where could you find information about controlled firing areas?
If there is a local controlled firing area, it can be found in the Chart Supplement.
57
What happens when an aircraft approaches a controlled firing area?
Activity is immediately suspended when aircraft approaches.
58
What is a prohibited area, and how is it depicted on a chart?
- contains airspace within which the flight of aircraft is completely prohibited unless approved (military aircraft)
- depicted with the same blue hash-marked line as Restricted and Warning Areas, and identified with a “P” followed by a number, ex. P-50.
59
Can you enter a prohibited area?
No aircraft can enter without special permission.
60
What is a Restricted Area, and how is it depicted on a sectional?
- contains airspace within which the flight of aircraft, while not always prohibited, is subject to restrictions due to operations being conducted that could be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft.
- charted with the same blue hash-marked line as Warning and Prohibited Areas, except identified with an “R” followed by a number.
61
Can VFR traffic fly through a Restricted Area?
No, not when it is active
62
Can VFR fly through a Restricted Area when it’s not active?
Yes, it’s permitted, but it’s usually a good idea to call the controlling agency to confirm before flying through the area.
63
Can IFR traffic fly through a Restricted Area?
If the Restricted Area is not active, yes. If the restricted area is active, then ATC will keep IFR traffic out of the restricted airspace.
64
Where can you find information regarding Restricted Areas, their times of operation, and the controlling agency?
On the margin of a sectional chart
65
What is an Alert Area and how is it depicted on a sectional?
-used to alert nonparticipating pilots of either a heightened volume of training activity, or of an unusual type of aerial activity
- charted with magenta, hash-marked lines.
66
Can VFR aircraft enter an Alert Area?
VFR aircraft are allowed to enter and must exercise extreme caution.
67
Do Alert Areas have active times and controlling agencies?
they can
68
Where do you find this information?
Sectional chart, Foreflight, or briefer.
69
What is a Warning Area, and how is it depicted on the sectional?
- area of defined dimensions off the U.S. coast; warns pilots of activity that may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft.
- extends from 3 nautical miles outward, charted with the same blue, hash-marked line as Restricted and Prohibited Areas; identified with a “W” followed by a number
- Warning Areas can be over international and/or domestic waters.
70
Can VFR aircraft enter a Warning Area? Do you need permission?
VFR aircraft can enter with caution. No permission is required, but it is best to stay out when active
71
What is a National Security Area?
An area of increased safety of ground facilities
72
Can pilots enter a National Security Area?
- Flying through is not restricted, but pilots are requested to voluntarily stay out
- Sometimes it can be prohibited by NOTAMS.
73
How is a National Security Area identified on a sectional chart?
thick, broken magenta line.
74
What are the different types of temporary flight restrictions (TFR)? VANSSW
VIP (ex. the president)
Airshows (ex. the blue angels)
Natural disasters (ex. hurricane Ian)
Sports and events (ex. stadiums)
Space operations (ex. kennedy space center)
Walt disney (ex. orlando)
75
What are the types of Other Airspace?
Local Airport Advisory (LAA)
Remote Airport Information Services (RAIS)
Military Training Route (MTR)
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
Parachute Jump Operation
VFR Corridor
VFR Transition
VFR Flyway
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)
Special Air Traffic Rules (SATR)
Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)
Wildlife Area
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Area (NOAA)
Tethered Balloon
Weather Reconnaissance Area (WRA).
76
What are Military Training routes, and how are they depicted?
- used by the military for low altitude training
- On sectionals they look like V-airways, except thinner and gray
- labeled with either IR or VR for IFR and VFR routes
- Any route labeled with 4 numbers will be under 1,500 feet AGL
- Any route labeled with 3 numbers will be flown over 1,500 feet AGL
77
Can nonparticipating aircraft (non-military) fly on Military Training Routes?
No, this is not allowed.
78
What is a VFR flyway (AIM 3-3-5)
- general flight path not defined as a specific course to fly into, out of, through or near complex terminal airspace to avoid Class B airspace
- No ATC clearance required
- Can be found of the back of Terminal Area Chart (TAC)
79
What is a VFR Corridor?
- A “hole” through Class B airspace with defined vertical and lateral boundaries
- No ATC clearance or communication is required
- Can be found on TAC Charts
80
What is a Class B Airspace VFR Transition Routes
Published route through class “B” airspace to accommodate VFR traffic flying through the area
Must receive permission from ATC to do so
Found on terminal area chart
Listed Frequencies, Altitudes, and Courses to fly can be found on TAC Charts
81
What is a Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)?
Pilots can receive additional radar services
Separates IFR from participating VFR traffic
Primary airports within TRSA become Class D Airspace
Need transponder and 2-way communication
VFR voluntary participation recommended
Depicted by black lines on a sectional chart
82
What is an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)?
Boundary between domestic US & int’l countries, neighboring countries and coastlines
Flying from outside of the country: Aircraft must provide identification w/ IFR/DVFR flight plan
83
What is a Special Conservation Area/Wildlife/Wilderness/National Park?
It is an area where flight is requested above 2,000’ AGL.
84
What is a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)?
It is a region in which the normal regulations of flight do not apply in whole or in part
An example is the SFRA around Washington DC. It is a circle 60 NM in diameter and requires special training to enter. Others exist near the Grand Canyon and around New York City.
