National Airspace System Flashcards
(95 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
A, B, C, D, E,
Restricted Areas,
Prohibited
Areas.
3
Q
What kinds of airspace qualify as “non-regulatory”?
A
MOAs,
Warning Areas,
Alert Areas,
CFAs,
NSAs
4
Q
What are the 4 types of airspace?
A
Controlled,
Uncontrolled,
Special Use,
Other.
5
Q
What is “controlled airspace”?
A
Airspace under the jurisdiction of ATC. It’s where ATC services are available.
6
Q
How is Class A airspace charted on a sectional?
What are the dimensions of Class A airspace?
A
It’s not
18,000ft MSL up to FL600, extending 12nm off the coast.
7
Q
When flying above 18,000ft, what should you do to the altimeter?
Why?
A
Set 29.92
Flight levels/pressure altitudes are used above 18,000ft MSL
8
Q
What are the operating rules and equipment requirements for operating in Class A
airspace?
A
Must be a current, instrument-rated (IRA) pilot flying an instrument-equipped aircraft on an IFR flight plan. A mode-C transponder is required (mode-S transponders have mode-C altitude reporting capability, so any time there is a mode-C requirement, mode-S transponders will also satisfy the requirement).
9
Q
Are there any Class A speed restrictions?
A
Less than Mach 1
10
Q
What are the basic VFR weather minimums associated with Class A airspace?
A
None, flying IFR is required.
11
Q
How is Class B airspace charted on the sectional?
A
Bold blue line with the associated MSL
altitudes listed in each shelf section.
12
Q
What are its dimensions?
A
Generally looks like an upside-down wedding cake, extending up to around 10,000ft MSL. Each B airport has individually tailored airspace to accommodate its approach and departure operations.
13
Q
What equipment is required to operate in class B?
A
2-way radios and a mode-C transponder operating in or above the airspace. In addition to being required within the Class B airspace, the mode-C transponder is required when operating within the mode-C veil, so anywhere within 30 nm of the Class B airport.
14
Q
So if there’s a B shelf that extends beyond the mode-C veil, and you’re flying in or above that B airspace, a mode-C transponder is required?
A
Yes
15
Q
What are the pilot certification requirements to fly in Class B?
A
Must be either a private
pilot, or a student pilot with an endorsement to fly in that particular B airspace; if a
landing is involved, you would also need an endorsement to land at that particular Class
B airport.
16
Q
Do any Class B airports completely prohibit student pilot solo operations?
A
Yes, they are listed in the FAR/AIM.
17
Q
PHX Approach responds to your request to transition the Class B airspace with, “Cessna 976SP, standby.” Can you enter?
A
No
18
Q
What do you need to hear first?
A
“Tail number + cleared into the Class B.”
19
Q
Say you’re inbound to land VFR at a Class B airport. How do you determine which approach frequency to use to initiate contact?
A
The side of the sectional has a section called “Class B, Class C, TRSA, and Selected Approach Control Frequencies.” I would
use that. I could also get the frequencies off of the TAC chart (zoom in a bit on the sectional on Foreflight to bring up the TAC); they are listed in blue boxes in each
approach sector
20
Q
What are the basic VFR weather minimums associated with Class B?
A
3 sm and clear of clouds
21
Q
How about below 1,200ft AGL?
A
Same. Nice try
22
Q
And at night?
A
Same
23
Q
Why clear-of-clouds in Class B, whereas in all of the other supposedly less-restrictive, lower-stakes types of airspace, you have to stay even farther away from the clouds?
A
Because in Class B, all aircraft (VFR and IFR) receive separation and
sequencing services
24
Q
So VFR aircraft are separated from other VFR aircraft while receiving Class B service?
A
Yes
25
So traffic avoidance is ATC’s responsibility when operating in Class B airspace?
No, not while in VMC. In VMC, ultimate responsibility falls on the PIC.
26
What is the maximum airspeed permitted in Class B airspace?
There are no speed restrictions inside Class B; however, most B airspace exists below 10,000ft MSL, which entails a 250kt indicated speed limitation. So while flying in Class B airspace below 10,000ft MSL, the max indicated speed is 250 kts
27
Are there any other speed restrictions associated with Class B airspace?
Can’t fly faster than 200 kts beneath a B shelf or in a B corridor.
28
Are there any exceptions to the speed restrictions (this applies to Class C and D speed restrictions as well)?
If the plane’s minimum safe speed is faster than what the regs
permit, then the plane can operate at its minimum safe speed.
29
Would you feel comfortable flying 100ft below a B shelf? Why or why not?
No. The AIM specifically advises pilots not to fly close to B shelves. There are large, fast, passenger-carrying aircraft at those altitudes.
30
So what’s a good distance to fly below a B shelf?
At least 500ft
31
Say I wanted to fly from an airport located on one side of the Class B, to an airport on the opposite side. What are my most efficient options to do this?
Check if a VFR transition or corridor is available. If neither of those exists, then reference the flyway chart
32
What is a Class B VFR transition route, and where do you find the instructions for these?
Class B transition route is a recommended flight path for VFR traffic to use when traversing
Class B airspace. The instructions are on TAC charts. In Foreflight, you can download the document, it’s in the “Visual Chart Supplemental” folder
33
Is a clearance required to fly a VFR transition route?
Yes. You’re flying through Class
B airspace, so typical Class B clearance procedures apply
34
Are there altitude restrictions on these routes?
Yes, whatever is stated on the Visual Chart Supplemental.
35
What is a VFR corridor?
These are holes in the B airspace through which VFR aircraft can
fly.
36
Is a clearance necessary?
No, you are not technically flying through B airspace. But
each corridor has its own unique procedures that must be followed
37
Where are these listed? What are some examples of airports that have corridors?
They are in the Visual Chart Supplemental folder as well. KSAN has a corridor. KLAX has an SFRA that is effectively a corridor.
38
What is a VFR flyway?
These are efficient flight paths that pilots can use to navigate around a complex terminal environment airspace
39
Is a clearance required to fly these?
No, the recommended altitudes and paths on the flyway charts keep you out of B/C/D airspace.
40
Where are these listed?
On the back of the TAC. Or in Foreflight, in the “Fly Charts”
folder.
41
How is Class C airspace charted, and what are its dimensions?
Charted with solid magenta lines, with the associated MSL altitudes listed in each shelf section. Dimension-wise, Class C airspace, like with B airspace, is individually tailored to the traffic needs of the primary airport. Typical dimensions are as follows: a 5nm radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10nm radius shelf area that extends no lower than 1,200 feet up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation. There is also an uncharted procedural “Outer Area” that extends approximately 20 nm from the airport.
42
What are the equipment requirements for operating in C airspace?
2-way radios and a Mode-C transponder in and above (BUT NOT BELOW) the C airspace.
43
What did you mean by “outer area”?
It’s an area that extends 20nm out from the primary Class C airport within which VFR aircraft can receive “Class C service.”
44
What is “Class C service”?
Think flight following + separation and sequencing. Specifically, this service provides, in addition to basic radar service, approved
separation between IFR and VFR aircraft, and sequencing of VFR arrivals to the primary airport.
45
What does “basic radar service” cover?
Flight following stuff: safety alerts, traffic advisories, and limited radar vectoring... workload permitting.
46
As a VFR aircraft receiving Class C service, what kind of separation services can you expect?
You can expect separation from IFR traffic. Always the PIC’s responsibility to see and avoid in VMC, though
47
What minimum pilot certification is required to operate in Class C airspace?
No specific certification required (i.e. a solo student could fly in Class C without a Class C-specific
solo endorsement)
48
Communications-wise, what is required to enter Class C airspace?
You must establish communications
49
Define “establish communications.”
ATC must say your tail number
50
What if ATC says, “Cessna 976SP, standby.” Can you enter?
Yes
51
How about, “Cessna 976SP, remain outside the Class C airspace”?
No
52
Say ATC is distracted and says, “Traffic calling SE of Tucson, continue inbound, maintain present altitude, and say call sign.” You respond, “Continue inbound, maintain altitude, Cessna 976SP.” Can you enter the Class C?
No, not until ATC responds with
my tail number
53
How far out are you expected to contact ATC when landing at a Class C airport?
20nm,
it’s on the sectional
54
Is this required or advisory?
Advisory
55
Do you contact Approach or Tower?
Approach
56
Why so far out?
Class C airports get a lot of IFR/passenger-carrying operations.
Because of this, they are serviced by approach radars, and this allows for sequencing among the IFR aircraft
57
What speed limitations are associated with Class C airspace?
Within 4nm of the airport, up to 2,500ft AGL, the max indicated airspeed is 200kts
58
So if I’m in Class C, but more than 4nm out from the airport, I can go faster than 200 kts indicated?
Yes
59
What are the basic VFR weather minimums in Class C airspace?
3sm visibility, 1000’ above clouds, 500’ below clouds, 2000’ horizontal from clouds (aka 3152)
60
How about at night?
3152
61
What is the procedure for taking off out of an untowered satellite airport located within the Class C (or D) airspace surface area? Is a takeoff clearance from ATC required?
No. However, two-way radio communications must be established as soon as practicable after departing from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over Class C (or D) airspace
62
KIWA has a lot more traffic than KTUS, and yet KTUS is Class C and KIWA is Class D.
Why is that?
The airspace classes are designated not by the overall amount of traffic,
but by the amount of IFR, passenger-carrying, and commercial traffic. KTUS has a lot
more of that sort of traffic, which necessitates an approach radar and additional ATC services
63
What are some of the ways that operating out of a Class C airport differs from operating out of a Class D airport?
Departing VFR out of a Class C airport feels similar to departing IFR out of a D airport: usually when departing VFR out of a C airport, the pilot calls up Clearance first and specifies the intended direction of departure and climb
altitude, after which Clearance provides a route/altitude clearance and a beacon code. Then the pilot calls up ground for taxi instructions. After departure, the pilot can expect a hand-off to Departure, and then VFR Flight Following is automatically provided.
When arriving, the main difference between C and D airspace is that, for Class C, the pilot contacts Approach Control 20nm out, whereas in Class D, the pilot usually
contacts Tower approximately 10nm out.
64
How is Class D airspace depicted on a sectional, and what are its dimensions?
Class D is depicted with a dashed blue line, with the airspace’s upper limit shown in MSL inside a dashed blue box. As is the case with B and C airspace, the dimensions of D airspace are individually tailored to the needs of the airport it surrounds; typical dimensions, however, are 2,500AGL and a 4nm radius.
65
Is your airport (KIWA) Class D full time?
No
66
What airspace does it revert to, and when?
Refer to the Chart Supplement, which in the case of KIWA states: AIRSPACE: CLASS D svc 1200-0700Z; other times CLASS G. This means that the airspace reverts to Class G (up to the overlying Class E at
700ft) from 12pm - 5am local time, so after applying the -7 hour AZ Zulu conversion
67
What pilot certification is required to operate in Class D airspace?
No specific certification required
68
Who do you contact when attempting to enter Class D airspace, and how far out should
you initiate contact?
Contact Tower about 10nm out
69
Can you operate inside Class D airspace without a Mode-C transponder?
Yes
70
Can you fly at KIWA without a Mode-C transponder?
No, KIWA is inside the KPHX
mode-C veil
71
If a Mode-C transponder is not required, can you operate with your Mode-C transponder turned off?
No, if you have a Mode-C transponder, it needs to be
operating.
72
Other than a Mode-C transponder, what other equipment is required to operate in Class D airspace?
2-way radio
73
What are the communication requirements for entry into Class D airspace?
Same as Class C: must establish communications, i.e., must hear your tail number
74
What are the basic VFR weather minimums in Class D airspace?
3152
75
How about at night?
3152
76
What speed limitations are associated with Class D airspace?
Same as Class C: within 4nm of the airport, up to 2,500ft AGL, the max indicated airspeed is 200kts
77
What if the Class D airspace extends 6nm out from the airport? I can operate within the D for the first 2nm going faster than 200kts?
Yes
78
What kind of separation services can VFR aircraft expect in Class D airspace?
None, only IFR aircraft receive separation services in Class D
79
So Tower doesn’t look out for you at all in Class D?
Workload permitting, you’ll receive
basic radar service, so traffic advisories and safety alerts, and limited vectoring. Safety alerts are always mandatory
80
What are the various ways Class E airspace can be depicted on a sectional, and what are its various dimensions?
Class E starting at the surface is shown with a dashed magenta
line. Class E starting at 700ft AGL is shown with a thicker magenta line that fades into the Class E airspace it surrounds. Class E starting at 1,200ft AGL is shown with a blue line that fades into the Class E airspace it surrounds. Class E airspace starting at a specified
altitude is surrounded by a blue zipper-looking line. If not charted otherwise, Class E airspace starts at 14,500ft MSL and extends up to the 18,000ft Class A floor; this 14,500ft - 18,000ft MSL Class E airspace is uncharted. Class E then starts again above FL600 and extends upward into space
81
What are the pilot certification, equipment, and arrival communication requirements for
Class E airspace?
None. However, if operating above 10,000ft MSL (but not below
2,500ft AGL) in Class E, a Mode C transponder is required
82
What are the basic VFR weather minimums in Class E airspace?
Below 10,000ft MSL: 3152. Above 10,000ft MSL: 5sm visibility, 1,000ft above clouds, 1,000ft below clouds,
1sm horizontal from clouds (5111)
83
How about at night?
Same
84
What does the last “1” in 5111 represent?
1 statute mile horizontal from clouds
85
Why are the visibility and cloud clearance requirements increased above 10,000 MSL?
Aircraft move faster at these higher altitudes. More restrictive weather mins provide more time to see and avoid
86
What is the purpose of Class E airspace?
It has many functions, but essentially, Class E exists to provide controlled airspace so that aircraft can receive ATC services
87
When KRYN tower closes at night, does the Class E surface area extension (the magenta keyhole portion on the sectional) remain Class E, or like KRYN’s Class D?
Does it revert to Class G?
Reverts to G
88
What kind of airspace surrounds Victor Airways, and what are its dimensions?
Class E. Unless otherwise specified, this Class E starts at 1,200ft AGL and extends up to 18,000ft MSL, 4nm on either side of the airway
89
Define Class G airspace
Uncontrolled airspace that has not been designated as Class A, B, C, D, or E airspace
90
What are its dimensions, and how is it depicted on a sectional?
Class G airspace is not marked on the sectional. It exists wherever ABCDE airspace doesn’t - i.e., it underlies controlled airspace.
91
What are the Class G airspace basic VFR weather minimums?
Below 1,200ft AGL: 1 SM and clear-of-clouds during the day; 3152 at night (unless you’re operating within ½ NM of the runway and you’re in a traffic pattern per the 91.155 exception - then it’s 1 SM clear-of-clouds). Above 1,200ft AGL but below 10,000ft MSL: 1152 during the day, 3152 at night. Above 10,000MSL and above 1,200AGL: 5111 always (day or night).
92
Is IFR flight permitted in Class G airspace?
ATC has no jurisdiction over Class G
airspace, so while in the Class G airspace, no IFR services are available. An IRA pilot flying an IFR-equipped plane may fly when the weather conditions are less than basic VFR; having an IFR clearance when operating in such weather is only required when in controlled airspace (91.173) . . . so such a pilot may fly IFR in uncontrolled airspace
without a clearance. Still, the pilot here could open herself up to a 91.13 (dangerous and reckless) violation. In fact, the NTSB has ruled that taking off in uncontrolled
airspace without a clearance violates 91.13. Also, the pilot should be aware that certain rules in 91.177 and 91.179 pertaining to minimum IFR altitudes and the hemispherical rule kick in when operating IFR in uncontrolled airspace
93
Some airports are towered, but uncontrolled - they are shown on the sectional in blue, but with no controlled airspace surrounding them. Are there any communication requirements associated with these Class G towered airports?
Yes, the pilot must be in contact with the tower within a 4nm radius up to 2,500ft AGL
94
What are the different types of Special Use Airspace (SUA)?
Military Operations Area (MOA),
Controlled Firing Area (CFA),
Prohibited Area,
Restricted Area,
Alert Area,
Warning Area,
National Security Area (NSA).
95
