Different classes of airspace (A, B, C...)?

Question

I have absolutely no clue what the differences are, so could somebody explain?

Answer 1

http://www.taphilo.com/aviation/airspace...

A=in the USA, starts at FL180 up to FL650 inclusive.  IFR clearance required.

B=Big airport, LAX, ORD, JFK, MCO, TPA

C=Pretty big airport, CMH, DAY, FLL, RSW

D=Smaller but controlled airports, BTL, DET, MKG, TVC

E=Controlled airspace, outside of B, C, D airport airspace and above and below A airspace

F=Does not exist in the USA

G=Uncontrolled airspace, usually surface to 700 or 1200 AGL but can go higher.

Answer 2

But I thought you claim you know it all and you are starting PPL training. Before you get into the cockpit of an aircraft go throught ground school and learn the basics such as Navigation , airspace structure/procedure , and aerodynamics. Take a test and get at least a 70 , then get a 3 class medical / student certificate when you are 16 so your hours count .....then you will know.

Answer 3

Too long of an answer for me to type it all out.

If you go to the following link there is a really good chart on the different classes of airspace... altitude, lateral radius and the different requirements within them for pilots.

Hope this helps.  If not, let us know if you have any additional questions.

http://macklow.com/airspace/

Answer 4

The Airman's Information Manual has good data on the different types of airspace.  See link below.  Also, if you'd like to learn about how that airspace is established, check out FAA Order 7400.2.

Answer 5

Class A airspace covers the entire United States and lies between 18,000 feet and 60,000 feet mean sea level (msl). All of the jetways (jet routes) are in Class A airspace. Class A airspace is primarily used by jets and airliners traveling over long distances between major cities.

All flights in Class A airspace are conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR); therefore pilots must hold an instrument rating and be on an active IFR flight plan.

Pilots must obtain a clearance from ATC before entering Class A airspace and maintain radio contact with ATC. Aircraft must be equipped with an altitude-encoding transponder to provide aircraft location and altitude data to ATC radar equipment.



      

Most Class B airspace extends from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL with a circular diameter of 40 nautical miles.

Pilots must obtain a clearance from air traffic control (ATC) before entering Class B airspace and then maintain radio contact with ATC. Aircraft must be equipped with an altitude-encoding transponder.

Pilots must hold at least a private pilot certificate to enter. Or, a sport, recreational, or student certificate if certain advanced training requirements are met — although many Class B airports prohibit any student pilot solo flights.

An instrument rating is not required; pilots may operate under visual flight rules (VFR) in Class B airspace as long as they remain clear of the clouds and have at least three miles of in-flight visibility.

Class C

Class C airspace surrounds other busy airports that have radar services for arriving and departing aircraft. Typical airports with Class C airspace would be Providence, Nashville, or Sacramento.

Most Class C airspace extends from the surface to 4,000 feet above ground level (agl), with a circular diameter of 20 nautical miles.

An air traffic control (ATC) clearance is not required in Class C airspace, but pilots must be in radio communication with ATC, and aircraft must be equipped with an altitude-encoding transponder. There are no additional pilot qualifications for operating in Class C, D, E, or G airspace.

Pilots flying under visual flight rules (VFR) in Class C airspace must have at least three miles of visibility. They also must maintain a specified distance from the clouds.

Class D

Class D airspace surrounds airports with operating control towers and weather reporting service that are not superseded by more restrictive Class B or C airspace.

Most Class D airspace extends from the surface to 2,500 feet above ground level (agl), with a circular diameter of 4.3 nautical miles (5 statute miles).

Aircraft must establish and maintain two-way radio contact with the control tower before entering or operating in Class D airspace. Weather minimums are the same as for Class C airspace.

Answer 6

Cessna 172 Man, that was uncalled for. Zach has not begun his formal training yet(as he has stated very clearly) and is attempting to learn all he can before he is old enough to start.

I wish I had his drive and level of maturity when I was his age.

Does it make you feel superior  to bully this kid?

Zack email me with a address I can mail you some training material. I have some manuals that would be good reading to explain this sort of stuff. In the mean time...

CLASS A AIRSPACE

Class Aairspace is generally the airspace from 18,000

feet mean sea level (MSL) up to and including FL600,

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 Aairspace will be conducted under

instrument flight rules (IFR).

CLASS B AIRSPACE

Class B airspace is generally the airspace from the

surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation’s

busiest airports. The configuration of Class B airspace

is individually tailored to the needs of a particular area

and consists of a surface area and two or more layers.

Some Class B airspace resembles an upside-down

wedding cake. At least a private pilot certificate is

required to operate in Class B airspace; however, there

is an exception to this requirement. Student pilots or

recreational pilots seeking private pilot certification

may operate in the airspace and land at other than

specified primary airports within the airspace if they

have received training and had their logbook endorsed

by a certified flight instructor in accordance with Title

14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part

61.

CLASS C AIRSPACE

Class C airspace generally extends from the surface

to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation surrounding

those airports having an operational control tower,

that are serviced by a radar approach control, and

with a certain number of IFR operations or passenger

enplanements. This airspace is charted in feetMSL, and is generally of a 5 NM radius surface area

that extends from the surface to 4,000 feet above the

airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius area that

extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport

elevation. There is also an outer area with a 20

NM radius, which extends from the surface to 4,000

feet above the primary airport, and this area may

include one or more satellite airports.

CLASS D AIRSPACE

Class D airspace generally extends from the surface

to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation surrounding

those airports that have an operational control

tower. The configuration of Class D airspace will be

tailored to meet the operational needs of the area.

CLASS E AIRSPACE

Class E airspace is generally controlled airspace that

is not designated A, B, C, or D. Except for 18,000

feet MSL, Class E airspace has no defined vertical

limit, but rather it extends upward from either the

surface or a designated altitude to the overlying or

adjacent controlled airspace.

UNCONTROLLED AIRSPACE

CLASS G AIRSPACE

Uncontrolled airspace or Class G airspace is the

portion of the airspace that has not been designated

as Class A, B, C, D, or E. It is therefore designated

uncontrolled airspace. Class G airspace extends

from the surface to the base of the overlying Class E

airspace. Although air traffic control (ATC) has no

authority or responsibility to control air traffic,pilots should remember there are VFR minimums

which apply to Class G airspace.

SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

Special use airspace exists where activities must

be confined because of their nature. In special use

airspace, limitations may be placed on aircraft that

are not a part of the activities. Special use airspace usually consists of:

Prohibited Areas

Restricted Areas

Warning Areas

Military Operation Areas

Alert Areas

Controlled Firing Areas

PROHIBITED AREAS

Prohibited areas are established for security or other

reasons associated with the national welfare.

Prohibited areas are published in the Federal

Register and are depicted on aeronautical charts.

RESTRICTED AREAS

Restricted areas denote the existence of unusual,

often invisible hazards to aircraft such as artillery

firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles. An aircraft

may not enter a restricted area unless permission has

been obtained from the controlling agency.

Restricted areas are depicted on aeronautical charts

and are published in the Federal Register.