Aviation - What rules apply to Class E airspace in the USA?

Question

Whatever is controlled airspace and is not A, B, C, or D is Class E airspace. What radio procedures apply for Class E control zones, class E airways, etc.

Answer 1

Airspace is a pretty complex topic, so I'll try to keep it simple and limit this to the scope of your question.

Class E airspace is considered "general controlled" and is generally not associated with a specific airport.  There are no communication requirements for operating VFR within Class E airspace.  For a VFR pilot, the main difference between Class E and G airspace (general controlled and uncontrolled) is cloud clearance and visibility minimums.

For IFR traffic, any flight operating under instrument flight rules must be on an active IFR clearance in any controlled airspace, including Class E.

Answer 2

This is the hardest thing to understand in avaition for almost every pilot.. so a breif.. breif overview..

Class E extends either from the surface, 700AGL, or 1500AGL, or 14,500  up to but not including 18000MSL. where as class G will underline it.

Class E has no communiction requirements to enter, and you dont need a radio to fly in it.

The only entry requirment for the pilot it a student pilot cert., and there is no aircraft equipment requirements.

Class E is controlled airspace that has weather mins to be legal to fly, which is 1000 above, 500 below, and 3 miles visiblity below 10000msl, and increased above 10000msl to 1000 above, 1000 feet below, and 5sm visiablty.

The purpose of Class E  is to allow ATC to have control over aircraft on IFR flight plans, and to increase the weather requimrents to legally fly, without imposing increased communications / equipment restrictions on pilots. The are also used in the step ups and step downs for aircraft to fly in controlled airspace from the termianal area to the enroute structrue under ATC postive control. (ATC traffic seperation for IFR aircraft)