Airspace

Class A Airspace
Generally, that airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within
12 nautical miles off the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska; and designated international airspace beyond 12
nautical miles off the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska within areas of domestic radio navigational signal or ATC
radar coverage, and within which domestic procedures are applied.

Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements

Unless otherwise authorized, all persons must operate their aircraft under IFR.

Class B Airspace
Generally, that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation's busiest airports in terms of IFR
operations or passenger enplanements.

The configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored and consists
of a surface area and two or more layers, and is designed to contain all published
instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace.

An ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all aircraft
that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace. The cloud
clearance requirement for VFR operations is "clear of clouds."

Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements

Regardless of weather conditions, an ATC clearance is required prior to operating

within Class B airspace. Pilots should not request a clearance to operate within
Class B airspace unless specific items such as two-way radio communications
and/or certain pilot certificate requirements are met.

Class C Airspace
Generally, that airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those
airports that have an operational control tower, are serviced by a radar approach control, and that have a certain number of
IFR operations or passenger enplanements.

Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a 5 NM radius
core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius shelf area
that extends no lower than 1200 feet up to 4000 feet above the airport elevation.
Charts

Class C airspace is charted on Sectional Charts, IFR En Route Low Altitude, and Terminal Area Charts where appropriate.

Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements

 Pilot Certification - No specific certification required.

 Equipment

o Two-way radio; and

o Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude
reporting capability and operable ADS-B Out equipment

Class D Airspace
Class D airspace is generally circular in form and normally extends from the surface to 2500 feet above the ground. The outer
radius of the airspace is variable, but is generally 4 NM.

Where a Class D surface area is part-time, the airspace may revert to either a Class E surface area or Class G airspace. When a
part–time Class D surface area changes to Class G, the surface area becomes Class G airspace up to, but not including, the
overlying controlled airspace.

Two-way communication with ATC must be established before entering Class D airspace. A transponder is not required.

Class E Airspace
Class E airspace is controlled airspace that is designated to serve a variety of terminal or en route purposes. Class E surface
areas extend upward from the surface to a designated altitude, or to the adjacent or overlying controlled airspace. Except
where designated at a lower altitude, Class E airspace in the United States consists of the airspace extending upward from
14,500 feet MSL to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL overlying the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and
Alaska, including the waters within nautical 12 miles from the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska. The airspace
above FL600 is also designated Class E airspace.

Neither an ATC clearance or radio communication is required for VFR flight in Class E airspace.

Class E airspace in some areas is designed to provide designated airspace for transitioning aircraft to/from the terminal or en
route environment.

Class E transition areas extend upward from either 700 feet AGL (shown as magenta vignette on sectional charts) or 1200 feet
AGL (blue vignette) and are designated for airports with an approved instrument procedure. The 700-foot/1200-foot AGL
Class E airspace transition areas remain in effect continuously, regardless of airport operating hours or surface area status.

There are Class E airspace areas that extend upward from a specified altitude and are en route domestic airspace areas that
provide controlled airspace in those areas where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route ATC services but the Federal
airway system is inadequate.

Class G Airspace
Class G airspace is uncontrolled airspace and includes all airspace not otherwise designated as Class A, B, C, D, or E airspace.
There are no entry or clearance requirements for Class G airspace, even for IFR operations.

Operations in Class G airspace are governed for both VFR and IFR flight and are described in FAR 91.155 and FAR 91.177
respectively.
Airspace Speed Limits

A 200 knot (KIAS) speed restriction is found in the following areas of operation:

 Within 4 NM and below 2500 feet AGL of the primary airport in Class C or D airspace

 In the airspace below the lateral boundaries of Class B airspace200 KIAS

VFR Cloud Clearances: 91.155 OPS SPEC C077

 At or above 10,000' MSL - 5 miles visibility, 1000 feet above, 1000 feet below, and 1 mile horizontal for both day and
night operations

 Class B airspace at all times - 3 miles visibility, clear of clouds

 Class C, Class D, and Class E (below 10,000' MSL) airspace at all times - 3 miles visibility, 1000 feet above, 500 feet
below, and 2000 feet horizontal

 Class G airspace 1200' or less AGL (day) - 1 mile visibility, clear of clouds

 Class G airspace 1200' or less AGL (night) - 3 miles visibility, 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet horizontal

 Class G airspace more than 1200' AGL (day) - 1 mile visibility, 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet
horizontal

 Glass G airspace more than 1200' AGL (night) - 3 miles visibility, 1000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2000 feet
horizontal
Ops Spec C077
To depart VFR in accordance with Ops Spec C077, the flight must be able to maintain VFR Part 91 cloud clearance
requirements.

The Ops Spec states "At airports which do not have operating ATC facilities and it is not otherwise possible for the flight crew
to obtain an IFR clearance...the flight may depart under VFR."

The crew must obtain an IFR clearance as soon as practical after takeoff, but under no circumstances any distance greater
than 50 nautical miles from the departure airport.

Note: Ops Spec C077 requires you to meet the visibility requirements of FAR 135.205 (2 SM) anytime you elect to depart VFR
in Class G airspace. Be sure to review your individual Ops Spec for additional stipulations for VFR departures.

Cancelling IFR:

Ops Spec C077 allows cancellation of an IFR flight plan arriving into the terminal area. To comply with the Ops Spec, the
following criteria must be met:

 Maintain VMC conditions in accordance with FAR 91 cloud clearance requirements.

 Uncontrolled Airports: IFR flight plans should not be cancelled during flight, except when operating in clearly VFR
conditions when the destination airport is in sight within 10 NM. You must also be in direct communication with
Unicom.

 Controlled Airports: Must be within 10 miles and in direct communication with ATC.