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Airspace class

The world's navigable airspace is divided into three-dimensional segments, each of which is assigned to a specific class. Most nations adhere to the classification specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and described below, though they might use only some of the classes defined below, and significantly alter the exact rules and requirements. Similarly, individual nations may also designate special use airspace (SUA) with further rules for reasons of national security or safety.

Abbreviations used in this article Edit

Abbreviation Full name Description
ATC Air traffic control A service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airspace. The primary purpose of ATC worldwide is to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of air traffic, and provide information and other support for pilots.
ATS Air Traffic Service A generic term meaning variously, flight information service, alerting service, air traffic advisory service, air traffic control service (area control service, approach control service or aerodrome control service).
ATZ Aerodrome traffic zone Circular zones around an airport with a radius based on the length of the runway
CTA Control area A controlled airspace which extends from a lower limit to an upper limit.
CTR Control Zone A controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface to an upper limit.
FLxxx (or FL xxx) Flight level Defined as a vertical altitude at standard atmospheric pressure, nominally expressed in hundreds of feet. Flight levels are usually designated in writing as FLxxx, where xxx is a two or three-digit number indicating the pressure altitude in units of 100 feet. In radio communications, FL290 would be pronounced as "flight level two nine(r) zero." The phrase "flight level" makes it clear that this refers to the standardized pressure altitude.
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization A specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth
IFR Instrument flight rules A set of regulations that concern flying by reference to instruments in the flight deck, and where navigation is accomplished by reference to electronic signals.
MATZ Military aerodrome traffic zone A version of ATZ for military air bases.
SVFR Special visual flight rules A set of aviation regulations under which a pilot may operate an aircraft. It's a special case of operating under visual flight rules (VFR) where a VFR flight is cleared by air traffic control to operate within a control zone in meteorological conditions that are poorer than visual meteorological conditions.
TCA Terminal control area A control area normally established at the confluence of ATS Routes in the vicinity of one or more major aerodromes.
TMA Terminal maneuvering area A designated area of controlled airspace surrounding a major airport where there is a high volume of traffic.
TRSA Terminal radar service area A delimited airspace in which radar and air traffic control services are made available to pilots flying under instrument flight rules or (optionally) visual flight rules for the purposes of maintaining aircraft separation.
VFR Visual flight rules A set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going

ICAO definitions Edit

On March 12, 1990, ICAO adopted the current airspace classification scheme.[1] The classes are fundamentally defined in terms of flight rules and interactions between aircraft and air traffic control (ATC). Generally speaking, the ICAO airspaces allocate the responsibility for avoiding other aircraft, namely either to ATC (if separation is provided) or to the aircraft commander (if not).

Some key concepts are:

  • Separation: Maintaining a specific minimum distance between an aircraft and another aircraft or terrain to avoid collisions, normally by requiring aircraft to fly at set levels or level bands, on set routes or in certain directions, or by controlling an aircraft's speed.
  • Clearance: Permission given by ATC for an aircraft to proceed under certain conditions contained within the clearance.
  • Traffic information: Information given by ATC on the position and, if known, intentions of other aircraft likely to pose a hazard to flight.
  • Flight rules: Aircraft can operate under visual flight rules (VFR) or instrument flight rules (IFR). There is also an intermediate form, special visual flight rules (SVFR).

ICAO adopted classifications Edit

Note: These are the ICAO definitions. Country-specific adaptations (such as "two-way communications" instead of "clearance" for Class C in the US) are discussed in the sections below.

  • Class A: All operations must be conducted under IFR. All aircraft are subject to ATC clearance. All flights are separated from each other by ATC.
  • Class B: Operations may be conducted under IFR, SVFR, or VFR. All aircraft are subject to ATC clearance. All flights are separated from each other by ATC.
  • Class C: Operations may be conducted under IFR, SVFR, or VFR. All aircraft are subject to ATC clearance (country-specific variations notwithstanding). Aircraft operating under IFR and SVFR are separated from each other and from flights operating under VFR, but VFR flights are not separated from each other. Flights operating under VFR are given traffic information in respect of other VFR flights.
  • Class D: Operations may be conducted under IFR, SVFR, or VFR. All flights are subject to ATC clearance (country-specific variations notwithstanding). Aircraft operating under IFR and SVFR are separated from each other, and are given traffic information in respect of VFR flights. Flights operating under VFR are given traffic information in respect of all other flights.
  • Class E: Operations may be conducted under IFR, SVFR, or VFR. Aircraft operating under IFR and SVFR are separated from each other, and are subject to ATC clearance. Flights under VFR are not subject to ATC clearance. As far as is practical, traffic information is given to all flights in respect of VFR flights.
  • Class F: Operations may be conducted under IFR or VFR. ATC separation will be provided, so far as practical, to aircraft operating under IFR. Traffic Information may be given as far as is practical in respect of other flights.
  • Class G: Operations may be conducted under IFR or VFR. ATC has no authority but VFR minimums are to be known by pilots. Traffic Information may be given as far as is practical in respect of other flights.

Special Airspace: these may limit pilot operation in certain areas. These consist of Prohibited areas, Restricted areas, Warning Areas, MOAs (military operation areas), Alert areas and Controlled firing areas (CFAs), all of which can be found on the flight charts.

Classes A–E are referred to as controlled airspace. Classes F and G are uncontrolled airspace.

The table below provides an overview of the above classes, and the specifications for each.

Class Controlled IFR SVFR VFR ATC clearance Separation Traffic information
A Controlled Yes No No Required Provided for all flights N/A
B Controlled Yes Yes Yes Required Provided for all flights N/A
C Controlled Yes Yes Yes Required Provided for all IFR/SVFR to IFR/SVFR/VFR Provided for all VFR
D Controlled Yes Yes Yes Required Provided for IFR/SVFR to other IFR/SVFR Provided for all IFR and VFR
E Controlled Yes Yes Yes Required for IFR and SVFR Provided for IFR/SVFR to other IFR/SVFR Provided for all IFR and VFR flights where possible
F Uncontrolled Yes No Yes Advisory only Provided for IFR/SVFR to other IFR/SVFR where possible Provided where possible if requested
G Uncontrolled Yes No Yes Not provided Not provided Provided where possible if requested

Use of airspace classes Edit

Each national aviation authority determines how it uses the ICAO classifications in its airspace design. In some countries, the rules are modified slightly to fit the airspace rules and air traffic services that existed before the ICAO standardisation.

Australia Edit

Australia has adopted a civil airspace system based on the United States National Airspace System (NAS):

  • Class A is used above FL 180 along the populated coastal areas, and above FL 245 elsewhere.
  • Class B is not used.
  • Class C is used in a 360° funnel shape in the Terminal Control Zones of the major international airports, extending up to the base of the Class A, generally at FL 180 over these airports. It also overlays Class D airspace at smaller airports.
  • Class D is used for the Terminal Control Zones of medium-sized airports, extending from the surface up to 2,500 feet (760 m) AGL (depicted in MSL on a chart). Above this, Class C airspace is used, although generally only in a sector, and not 360° around the airport.
  • Class E is used along the populated coastal areas, from 8,500 feet (2,590 m) to the base of the overlying Class A or Class C airspace.
  • Class F is not used.
  • Class G is used wherever other classes are not—almost always from the surface to the base of the overlying Class A, C, D or E airspace.

Transition from GAAP to Class D Edit

Australia used to have a non-standard class of airspace for use at the capital city general aviation airports, called a General Aviation Airport Procedures Zone (GAAP Zone). A control tower provided procedural clearances for all aircraft inside the zone. Additionally, any aircraft operating within 5 nmi (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) of the zone must obtain a clearance. VFR aircraft arrive and depart using standard arrival and departure routes, while instrument arrival and departure procedures are published for IFR operations. During visual meteorological conditions (VMC), IFR aircraft are not provided with full IFR services. During instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), or marginal VMC, VFR operations are restricted in order to facilitate full IFR service for IFR aircraft.

In June 2010, all GAAP aerodromes were changed to Class D aerodromes, and the previous Class D procedures were changed. The new Class D procedures are similar to the FAA Class D procedures. VFR aircraft are no longer required to enter the airspace via set inbound/outbound points, however can be directed there by ATC. VFR and IFR aircraft now require taxi clearance in the "manoeuvring area" of the aerodrome, but can still taxi within set apron areas without a clearance. IFR aircraft now receive slot times and the visibility requirements of Special VFR are reduced from 3000m visibility to 1600m.

Canada Edit

There are seven airspace classes in use in Canada (letters A through G), but the letters do not always correspond with ICAO definitions.

Denmark Edit

  • Class A is generally used above FL195.
  • Class B is not used.
  • Class C is used for busy terminal areas, namely Billund TMA and København TMA. All airspace above FL195 is also class C.
  • Class D is used for all control zones and most terminal areas.
  • Class E is generally used for all airspace from 3500 feet to FL195, with the exception of TMA's and airspace over the North Sea.
  • Class F is not used.
  • Class G is used below 3500 feet, except around controlled airports, and below FL195 over the North Sea.

Estonia Edit

In Estonia, airspace is divided into only classes C, D and G.[2]

  • Class C is used for enroute airspace, between FL095 and FL 660.
  • Class D is used for the Ämari CTR, and Tartu TMA and CTR, during operational hours.
  • Class G is used below FL095, in the Kuressaare, Pärnu, and Kärdla FIZs, and Tartu TMA & CTR, outside of operational hours.

France Edit

In France, Classes B and F are not used at all. Airspace is divided into lower airspace below FL 195 and upper airspace above FL 195.

  • Class A is only used for the Paris region.
  • Class B is not used.
  • Class C is used for controlled zones above and around airports and for airspace above FL 100 (or FL 130 near the Alps) up to FL 660.
  • Class D is used for controlled zones, or above and around airspace Class C designated zones where CVFR is not necessary.
  • Class E is used for airspace between usually 2,500 ft (760 m) AGL (around airports 1,000 ft (300 m) or 1,700 ft (520 m) AGL) and FL 100.
  • Class F is not used.
  • Class G is used below 2,500 ft (760 m) AGL (around airports below 1,000 ft (300 m) AGL, then rises via a step at 1,700 ft (520 m) to 2,500 ft (760 m) AGL). IFR flights in Class G are not allowed in France except for arrivals and departures in Radio Mandatory Zones (RMZ) around uncontrolled airfields with IFR procedures.

Germany Edit

In Germany, Classes A, B, and F are not used at all. Airspace is divided into lower airspace below FL 245 and upper airspace above FL 245.

  • Class A is not used.
  • Class B is not used.
  • Class C is used for controlled zones above and around airports and for airspace above FL 100 (or FL 130 near the Alps) up to FL 660.
  • Class D is used for controlled zones, or above and around airspace Class C designated zones where CVFR is not necessary.
  • Class E is used for airspace between usually 2,500 ft (760 m) AGL (around airports 1,000 ft (300 m) or 1,700 ft (520 m) AGL) and FL 100.
  • Class F is not used.
  • Class G is used below 2,500 ft (760 m) AGL (around airports below 1,000 ft (300 m) AGL, then rises via a step at 1,700 ft (520 m) to 2,500 ft (760 m) AGL). IFR flights in Class G are not allowed in Germany except for arrivals and departures in Radio Mandatory Zones (RMZ) around uncontrolled airfields with IFR procedures.

Iraq Edit

In Iraq, the Flight Information Regions (FIR) is known as Baghdad FIR. It is classified into Class A, D, E and G airspace. Class B, C and F airspace are not used in the Baghdad FIR. Air traffic services are provided in all controlled airspace, by the controlling ATC Unit, based on an ATS Surveillance System (supplemented by procedural non-ATS Surveillance System procedures) or MRU where authorized based on Procedural (non- ATC Surveillance System) procedures and supplemented by ATC Surveillance System where possible.

  • Class A is established from FL235 – FL460 throughout the whole Baghdad FIR.
  • Class B is not used.
  • Class C is not used.
  • Class D is established in conjunction with airports that have operating control towers.
  • Class E is established at Baghdad, Basrah, Kirkuk, and Mosul TMAs. Class E airspace is also established along the air route structure.
  • Class F is not used.
  • Class G is established for all areas that are not classified as A, D or E. This airspace is primarily used by military VFR aircraft. A Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) is established for aircraft self deconfliction.

Ireland Edit

In Ireland, airspace is divided into classes A, C and G only.[3]

  • Class A: This high-level en route controlled airspace is used predominately by commercial and passenger jets. Only IFR flights are permitted and they require ATC clearance. Class A airspace exists in the Northern Oceanic Transition Area (NOTA) and the Southern Oceanic Transition Area (SOTA).
  • Class C: This is the controlled airspace above 7,500 feet and surrounding major airports. Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted and both require ATC clearance and separation service is to be provided by ATC.
  • Class G: This airspace is uncontrolled. Both IFR and VFR aircraft are permitted and neither requires an ATC clearance.

Italy Edit

  • Class A is used for Rome and Milan TMAs
  • Class B is not used.
  • Class C is used in all airspace above FL 195, and in Military Control Zones above FL 195, to FL 460 excluded.
  • Class D is used for controlled zones and other TMAs.
  • Class E is used for airways from MEL to FL 115.
  • Class F is not used.
  • Class G is used in all other airspaces, and above FL460

Kenya Edit

Classes A, C, D, G are used in Kenyan airspace, alongside unclassified military operation areas which are defined in Restricted Areas and Prohibited Areas, and are controlled by military air traffic control units.

  • Class A is used above FL145, except in areas where ground level exceeds FL145, in which case class A airspace exists above 1,500 ft (460 m) AGL and class G below.
  • Class C airspace is used exclusively in the Nairobi TMA and CTR.
  • Class D airspace is used in all other aerodrome airspaces.
  • Class G airspace exists everywhere else, particularly between ground level and 1,500 ft (460 m) AGL.

Lithuania Edit

In Lithuania, Classes A and B are generally not used at all. Classes C and D are used in the following areas of controlled airspace of the Republic of Lithuania:

Mauritius Edit

Classes A, C and G are used in Mauritius.[5]

  • Class A airspace exists within the entire Mauritius FIR (Flight Information Region), above FL245.
  • Class C airspace exists within 150 nautical miles of Mauritius, below FL245 (Mauritius TMA and CTR).
  • Class G airspace exists in all other areas of the Mauritius FIR.

Netherlands Edit

In the Netherlands, a relatively large part of the country is Class A airspace. Near Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, the airspace is almost completely built up with class A. It starts at 1500' MSL, and ends at FL195. Further away from Amsterdam and its airport Schiphol, Class A starts at a higher altitude. Class B is used a lot as well. Anywhere in the Netherlands, Class A airspace ends at FL195 and changes into Class C. Most of the CTRs are class D, some of them are class C. Class F is the only class that cannot be found in the Dutch airspace. [6]

New Zealand Edit

In New Zealand, Classes B, E and F are not used at all. Class A is used in Oceanic airspace above flight level (FL) 245 whereas Classes C and D are used in domestic airspace as part of the New Zealand FIR.[7]

  • Class A is used at or above 24,500 ft or FL245 in the Auckland Oceanic Flight Information Region.
  • Class B is not used.
  • Class C is used for control zones around major airports and associated surrounding control areas and en-route airspace in the New Zealand Flight Information Region.
  • Class D is used for control zones around regional airports and military airbases.
  • Class E is not used.
  • Class F is not used.
  • Class G is used for all other airspace.

Norway Edit

In Norway, airspace is divided into classes A, C, D and G.[8]

  • Class A is only used for Bodø OCA, FL195 and up.
  • Class C is used for controlled airspace.
  • Class D is used for controlled airspace where C is not used.
  • Class G is used elsewhere. G* is used in TIZ and TIA where two-way radio communication is required during opening hours.

Russia Edit

Russia adopted a modified version of ICAO airspace classification on November 1, 2010. The division into classes for the airspace of the Russian Federation was introduced for the first time in the history of Russia.[9]

The airspace above the territory of the Russian Federation is divided as follows:

  • Class A applies to airspace above and including 8100 m (the boundary between lower and upper airspace in Russia). All operations in Class A airspace must follow IFR and are separated from each other by ATC. Permanent two-way radio contact with ATC is required. Permission for using airspace is required except for the special cases listed in clause 114 of the Federal rules for using Russian air space.[10]
  • Class B is not used.
  • Class C airspace is defined below 8,100 metres (26,600 ft) and allows IFR and VFR operations. Both IFR and VFR operations are required to have permanent two-way radio contact with ATC. IFR flights are separated from each other and from VFR flights. VFR flights are separated from IFR flights and are provided traffic information about other VFR flights. Permission for using airspace is required except for the special cases listed in clause 114 of the Federal rules for using Russian air space.[10]
  • Class D is not used.
  • Class E is not used.
  • Class F is not used.
  • Class G airspace is defined wherever Class A and Class C airspaces are not defined. Class G airspace allows IFR and VFR operations. For altitudes less than 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) the speed must not exceed 450 kilometres per hour (280 mph; 240 kn). Flights are provided with flight information service as requested. IFR flights are required to have permanent two-way radio contact with ATC. No separation is provided by ATC. No permission for using airspace is required.[10]

Airspace controlled by Russia outside the territory of Russia has different division into classes and includes redefined Class A and Class G, but no class C airspace.[10]

Specific boundaries of airspaces are determined by the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation #199 of September 15, 2010.[10][11]

Sweden Edit

In Sweden, airspace is divided into airspace class C and G only with a small E class area stretching over the Danish border into Swedish airspace.[12]

  • Class C is used for all controlled airspace.
  • Class E is used for Area L3, a small area southwest of Sweden, within Sweden FIR but controlled by ACC København.[13]
  • Class G is used elsewhere.

United Kingdom Edit

  • Class A:
    • Most airways up to FL 195 with the exception of airways lying within the Belfast CTR/TMA and around Scotland.
    • The Terminal Control Areas (TMAs) around London Heathrow Airport, Birmingham and Manchester.
    • The Channel Island Zone is Class A above FL80.
    • The CTAs of Daventry, Clacton, Cotswold and Worthing.
    Airways typically start at FL 70 and routing options become more attractive above FL 140.
  • Class B: Not currently used in the UK.
  • Class C: All UK airspace between FL 195 and FL 660. (The Upper Flight Information Region (UIR) boundary begins at FL 245.)

    Some airways and CTAs may have sections of Class C.

  • Class D: The CTRs and CTAs around the busier airports such as Stansted, Gatwick, Glasgow, Birmingham, Jersey, Manchester and Heathrow. A few airways in less busy areas are class D, allowing mid-level military VFR flights.
  • Class E: Parts of the Belfast TMA and ATS routes in Scotland. A clearance is not required for VFR flights within Class E airspace, however pilots are strongly advised to contact the appropriate ATS.
  • Class F: Not currently used in the UK. All remaining Class F airspace was removed or converted to Class E or G in November 2014.
  • Class G: All remaining airspace, comprising by far the largest part of the airspace below FL 195. The UK is unusual in that it has not adopted a widespread class E system of airways for most airspace lower than FL 70. Therefore, for light aircraft, IFR flight in Class G airspace is relatively common. Use of a radio or transponder is not required, even in IMC.[14] ATC units may provide an "as far as practical" form of separation between some such flights, but participation in the service is voluntary.[15]

In addition the UK has a couple of special classes of airspace that do not fall within the ICAO classes:

  • Aerodrome traffic zones (ATZ) are circular zones around an airport with a radius of 2 nmi or 2.5 nmi depending on runway length, extending from the surface to 2,000 ft (600 m) AAL (above aerodrome level). Aircraft within an ATZ must obey the instructions of the tower controller (if present), or must make radio contact with the Aerodrome Flight Information Service unit or Air/Ground Communication Service unit for the aerodrome before entering the zone (in the case of an uncontrolled airfield), or must obey ground signals if non-radio.[16]
  • Military air traffic zones (MATZ) are zones around military air bases in class G airspace. Military aircraft treat these as if they are controlled airspace; civilian traffic are advised but not obliged to do the same (although they must respect the ATZ contained within the MATZ). A MATZ usually consists of a circular zone with a radius of 5 nm, extending from the surface to 3,000 ft (900 m) AAL (above aerodrome level). Stubs 4 nm wide and 5 nm in length, orientated with the aerodrome's main runway, extend on opposite sides of the central circle, extending from 1,000 ft (300 m) to 3,000 ft (900 m) AAL.

United States Edit

 
Airspace classes in the United States

The U.S. adopted a slightly modified version of the ICAO system on September 16, 1993, when regions of airspace designated according to older classifications were converted entirely. The exceptions are some terminal radar service areas (TRSA), which have special rules and still exist in a few places.

  • With some exceptions, Class A airspace is applied to all airspace between 18,000 feet (5,500 m) and flight level (FL) 600 (approximately 60,000 ft). Above FL600, the airspace reverts to Class E.[17] The transition altitude is also consistently 18,000 feet (5,500 m) everywhere. All operations in US Class A airspace must be conducted under IFR. SVFR flight in Class A airspace is prohibited.
  • Class B airspace is used to control the flow of traffic around major airports. The airspace is charted on a VFR sectional chart with a series of blue lines. Within these blue lines, the floor and the ceiling of the Class B airspace is defined. The lateral boundaries of Class B airspace are individually tailored to facilitate arriving and departing traffic operating under IFR. Class B airspace extends from the surface to generally 10,000 feet (3,000 m) MSL. In Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah, the ceiling is at 12,000 feet (4,000 m) MSL, while in Phoenix, Arizona, the ceiling is at 9,000 feet (3,000 m) MSL.[18] Charts must be consulted for the most current floor and ceiling information. Aircraft must establish two-way radio communication with ATC and obtain a clearance to enter Class B airspace. All aircraft operating inside or within 30 NM of the primary Class B airport(s) are required to have a transponder with Mode C. The 30 NM Mode C Veil is denoted on VFR charts by a thin magenta line. VFR traffic must remain clear of clouds and maintain 3 SM of visibility while operating within Class B airspace.
  • Class C airspace is used around airports with a moderate traffic level.
  • Class D is used for smaller airports that have a control tower. The U.S. uses a modified version of the ICAO class C and D airspace, where only radio contact with ATC rather than an ATC clearance is required for VFR operations.
  • Other controlled airspace is designated as Class E, this includes a large part of the lower airspace. Class E airspace exists in many forms. It can serve as a surface-based extension to Class D airspace to accommodate IFR approach/departure procedure areas. Class E airspace can be designated to have a floor of 700' AGL or 1,200' AGL, or a customized floor of any other altitude. Class E airspace exists above Class G surface areas from 14,500' MSL to 18,000 MSL. Federal airways from 1,200 AGL to 18,000 MSL within 4 miles (6 km) of the centerline of the airway is designated Class E airspace. Airspace at any altitude over FL600 (60,000 MSL) (the ceiling of Class A airspace) is designated Class E airspace.[17]
  • The U.S. does not use ICAO Class F.
  • Class G (uncontrolled) airspace is mostly used for a small layer of airspace near the ground, but there are larger areas of Class G airspace in remote regions.

Airspace classes and VFR Edit

Authorities use the ICAO definitions to derive additional rules for VFR cloud clearance, visibility, and equipment requirements.

For example, consider Class E airspace. It is possible that an aircraft operating under VFR is not in communication with ATC, so it is imperative that its pilot be able to see and avoid other aircraft (and vice versa). That includes IFR flights emerging from a cloud, so the VFR flight must keep a designated distance from the edges of clouds above, below, and laterally, and must maintain at least a designated visibility, to give the two aircraft time to observe and avoid each other. The low-level speed limit of 250 knots does not apply above 10,000 feet (3,000 m), so the visibility requirements are higher.

On the other hand, in Class B and Class C airspaces, separation is provided by ATC to all aircraft. In these situations the VFR pilot only needs to see where his/her own aircraft is going, so visibility requirements are less stringent, and there is no designated minimum distance from clouds.

Similar considerations determine whether a VFR aircraft must use a two-way radio and/or a transponder.

Special use airspace Edit

Each national authority designates areas of special use airspace (SUA), primarily for reasons of national security. This is not a separate classification from the ATC-based classes; each piece of SUA is contained in one or more zones of letter-classed airspace.

SUAs range in restrictiveness, from areas where flight is always prohibited except to authorized aircraft, to areas that are not charted but are used by military for potentially hazardous operations (in this case, the onus is on the military personnel to avoid conflict). Refer to the external links for more specific details.

References Edit

  1. ^ ICAO's airspace classification scheme is defined in ICAO Annex 11: Air Traffic Services, Chapter 2, Section 2.6, available at . Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
  2. ^ , eaip.eans.ee, 8 June 2017, archived from the original on 8 July 2017, retrieved 14 July 2017
  3. ^ "Guide to IAA ATM Operations" (PDF), www.iaa.ie, 22 October 2014, retrieved 12 April 2020
  4. ^ Airfield Guide Lithuania, 29 SEP 2005, ENR 1.1-1 2006-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ AIP Mauritius
  6. ^ "AIS-publicaties". Air Traffic Control Netherlands. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  7. ^ "New Zealand Airspace" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.
  8. ^ IPPC AIP, AIP.
  9. ^ The Official Site of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, March 11, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c d e Appendix to the Resolution of the Government of The Russian Federation #138 of March 11, 2010. July 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)
  11. ^ Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation #199 of September 15, 2010. (in Russian)
  12. ^ "ATS airspace classes – services provided and flight requirements". aro.lfv.se. from the original on 2022-04-07.
  13. ^ . Archived from the original on 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  14. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  15. ^ . Air Space Safety. Airspace & Safety Initiative (ASI). 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010.
  16. ^ Godwin, Peter (1987–2004). The Air Pilot's Manual: Aviation Law And Meteorology. Cranfield, England: Air Pilot Publishing Ltd.
  17. ^ a b FAA Order 7400.11, Subpart E, Para. 6001
  18. ^ "Pilot2Pilot – For Pilots by Pilot: Class B Airspace". Pilot2pilotblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.

External links Edit

  • US Airspace Aeronautical Charts

airspace, class, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, technical, most, readers, understand, please, help, improve, make, understandable, exper. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article may be too technical for most readers to understand Please help improve it to make it understandable to non experts without removing the technical details August 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Airspace class news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message The world s navigable airspace is divided into three dimensional segments each of which is assigned to a specific class Most nations adhere to the classification specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO and described below though they might use only some of the classes defined below and significantly alter the exact rules and requirements Similarly individual nations may also designate special use airspace SUA with further rules for reasons of national security or safety Contents 1 Abbreviations used in this article 2 ICAO definitions 2 1 ICAO adopted classifications 3 Use of airspace classes 3 1 Australia 3 1 1 Transition from GAAP to Class D 3 2 Canada 3 3 Denmark 3 4 Estonia 3 5 France 3 6 Germany 3 7 Iraq 3 8 Ireland 3 9 Italy 3 10 Kenya 3 11 Lithuania 3 12 Mauritius 3 13 Netherlands 3 14 New Zealand 3 15 Norway 3 16 Russia 3 17 Sweden 3 18 United Kingdom 3 19 United States 4 Airspace classes and VFR 5 Special use airspace 6 References 7 External linksAbbreviations used in this article EditAbbreviation Full name DescriptionATC Air traffic control A service provided by ground based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through controlled airspace and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non controlled airspace The primary purpose of ATC worldwide is to prevent collisions organize and expedite the flow of air traffic and provide information and other support for pilots ATS Air Traffic Service A generic term meaning variously flight information service alerting service air traffic advisory service air traffic control service area control service approach control service or aerodrome control service ATZ Aerodrome traffic zone Circular zones around an airport with a radius based on the length of the runwayCTA Control area A controlled airspace which extends from a lower limit to an upper limit CTR Control Zone A controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface to an upper limit FLxxx or FL xxx Flight level Defined as a vertical altitude at standard atmospheric pressure nominally expressed in hundreds of feet Flight levels are usually designated in writing as FLxxx where xxx is a two or three digit number indicating the pressure altitude in units of 100 feet In radio communications FL290 would be pronounced as flight level two nine r zero The phrase flight level makes it clear that this refers to the standardized pressure altitude ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization A specialized agency of the United Nations It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growthIFR Instrument flight rules A set of regulations that concern flying by reference to instruments in the flight deck and where navigation is accomplished by reference to electronic signals MATZ Military aerodrome traffic zone A version of ATZ for military air bases SVFR Special visual flight rules A set of aviation regulations under which a pilot may operate an aircraft It s a special case of operating under visual flight rules VFR where a VFR flight is cleared by air traffic control to operate within a control zone in meteorological conditions that are poorer than visual meteorological conditions TCA Terminal control area A control area normally established at the confluence of ATS Routes in the vicinity of one or more major aerodromes TMA Terminal maneuvering area A designated area of controlled airspace surrounding a major airport where there is a high volume of traffic TRSA Terminal radar service area A delimited airspace in which radar and air traffic control services are made available to pilots flying under instrument flight rules or optionally visual flight rules for the purposes of maintaining aircraft separation VFR Visual flight rules A set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is goingICAO definitions EditOn March 12 1990 ICAO adopted the current airspace classification scheme 1 The classes are fundamentally defined in terms of flight rules and interactions between aircraft and air traffic control ATC Generally speaking the ICAO airspaces allocate the responsibility for avoiding other aircraft namely either to ATC if separation is provided or to the aircraft commander if not Some key concepts are Separation Maintaining a specific minimum distance between an aircraft and another aircraft or terrain to avoid collisions normally by requiring aircraft to fly at set levels or level bands on set routes or in certain directions or by controlling an aircraft s speed Clearance Permission given by ATC for an aircraft to proceed under certain conditions contained within the clearance Traffic information Information given by ATC on the position and if known intentions of other aircraft likely to pose a hazard to flight Flight rules Aircraft can operate under visual flight rules VFR or instrument flight rules IFR There is also an intermediate form special visual flight rules SVFR ICAO adopted classifications Edit Note These are the ICAO definitions Country specific adaptations such as two way communications instead of clearance for Class C in the US are discussed in the sections below Class A All operations must be conducted under IFR All aircraft are subject to ATC clearance All flights are separated from each other by ATC Class B Operations may be conducted under IFR SVFR or VFR All aircraft are subject to ATC clearance All flights are separated from each other by ATC Class C Operations may be conducted under IFR SVFR or VFR All aircraft are subject to ATC clearance country specific variations notwithstanding Aircraft operating under IFR and SVFR are separated from each other and from flights operating under VFR but VFR flights are not separated from each other Flights operating under VFR are given traffic information in respect of other VFR flights Class D Operations may be conducted under IFR SVFR or VFR All flights are subject to ATC clearance country specific variations notwithstanding Aircraft operating under IFR and SVFR are separated from each other and are given traffic information in respect of VFR flights Flights operating under VFR are given traffic information in respect of all other flights Class E Operations may be conducted under IFR SVFR or VFR Aircraft operating under IFR and SVFR are separated from each other and are subject to ATC clearance Flights under VFR are not subject to ATC clearance As far as is practical traffic information is given to all flights in respect of VFR flights Class F Operations may be conducted under IFR or VFR ATC separation will be provided so far as practical to aircraft operating under IFR Traffic Information may be given as far as is practical in respect of other flights Class G Operations may be conducted under IFR or VFR ATC has no authority but VFR minimums are to be known by pilots Traffic Information may be given as far as is practical in respect of other flights Special Airspace these may limit pilot operation in certain areas These consist of Prohibited areas Restricted areas Warning Areas MOAs military operation areas Alert areas and Controlled firing areas CFAs all of which can be found on the flight charts Classes A E are referred to as controlled airspace Classes F and G are uncontrolled airspace The table below provides an overview of the above classes and the specifications for each Class Controlled IFR SVFR VFR ATC clearance Separation Traffic informationA Controlled Yes No No Required Provided for all flights N AB Controlled Yes Yes Yes Required Provided for all flights N AC Controlled Yes Yes Yes Required Provided for all IFR SVFR to IFR SVFR VFR Provided for all VFRD Controlled Yes Yes Yes Required Provided for IFR SVFR to other IFR SVFR Provided for all IFR and VFRE Controlled Yes Yes Yes Required for IFR and SVFR Provided for IFR SVFR to other IFR SVFR Provided for all IFR and VFR flights where possibleF Uncontrolled Yes No Yes Advisory only Provided for IFR SVFR to other IFR SVFR where possible Provided where possible if requestedG Uncontrolled Yes No Yes Not provided Not provided Provided where possible if requestedUse of airspace classes EditEach national aviation authority determines how it uses the ICAO classifications in its airspace design In some countries the rules are modified slightly to fit the airspace rules and air traffic services that existed before the ICAO standardisation Australia Edit Australia has adopted a civil airspace system based on the United States National Airspace System NAS Class A is used above FL 180 along the populated coastal areas and above FL 245 elsewhere Class B is not used Class C is used in a 360 funnel shape in the Terminal Control Zones of the major international airports extending up to the base of the Class A generally at FL 180 over these airports It also overlays Class D airspace at smaller airports Class D is used for the Terminal Control Zones of medium sized airports extending from the surface up to 2 500 feet 760 m AGL depicted in MSL on a chart Above this Class C airspace is used although generally only in a sector and not 360 around the airport Class E is used along the populated coastal areas from 8 500 feet 2 590 m to the base of the overlying Class A or Class C airspace Class F is not used Class G is used wherever other classes are not almost always from the surface to the base of the overlying Class A C D or E airspace Transition from GAAP to Class D Edit Australia used to have a non standard class of airspace for use at the capital city general aviation airports called a General Aviation Airport Procedures Zone GAAP Zone A control tower provided procedural clearances for all aircraft inside the zone Additionally any aircraft operating within 5 nmi 9 3 km 5 8 mi of the zone must obtain a clearance VFR aircraft arrive and depart using standard arrival and departure routes while instrument arrival and departure procedures are published for IFR operations During visual meteorological conditions VMC IFR aircraft are not provided with full IFR services During instrument meteorological conditions IMC or marginal VMC VFR operations are restricted in order to facilitate full IFR service for IFR aircraft In June 2010 all GAAP aerodromes were changed to Class D aerodromes and the previous Class D procedures were changed The new Class D procedures are similar to the FAA Class D procedures VFR aircraft are no longer required to enter the airspace via set inbound outbound points however can be directed there by ATC VFR and IFR aircraft now require taxi clearance in the manoeuvring area of the aerodrome but can still taxi within set apron areas without a clearance IFR aircraft now receive slot times and the visibility requirements of Special VFR are reduced from 3000m visibility to 1600m Canada Edit Further information Canadian airspace There are seven airspace classes in use in Canada letters A through G but the letters do not always correspond with ICAO definitions Denmark Edit Class A is generally used above FL195 Class B is not used Class C is used for busy terminal areas namely Billund TMA and Kobenhavn TMA All airspace above FL195 is also class C Class D is used for all control zones and most terminal areas Class E is generally used for all airspace from 3500 feet to FL195 with the exception of TMA s and airspace over the North Sea Class F is not used Class G is used below 3500 feet except around controlled airports and below FL195 over the North Sea Estonia Edit In Estonia airspace is divided into only classes C D and G 2 Class C is used for enroute airspace between FL095 and FL 660 Class D is used for the Amari CTR and Tartu TMA and CTR during operational hours Class G is used below FL095 in the Kuressaare Parnu and Kardla FIZs and Tartu TMA amp CTR outside of operational hours France Edit In France Classes B and F are not used at all Airspace is divided into lower airspace below FL 195 and upper airspace above FL 195 Class A is only used for the Paris region Class B is not used Class C is used for controlled zones above and around airports and for airspace above FL 100 or FL 130 near the Alps up to FL 660 Class D is used for controlled zones or above and around airspace Class C designated zones where CVFR is not necessary Class E is used for airspace between usually 2 500 ft 760 m AGL around airports 1 000 ft 300 m or 1 700 ft 520 m AGL and FL 100 Class F is not used Class G is used below 2 500 ft 760 m AGL around airports below 1 000 ft 300 m AGL then rises via a step at 1 700 ft 520 m to 2 500 ft 760 m AGL IFR flights in Class G are not allowed in France except for arrivals and departures in Radio Mandatory Zones RMZ around uncontrolled airfields with IFR procedures Germany Edit In Germany Classes A B and F are not used at all Airspace is divided into lower airspace below FL 245 and upper airspace above FL 245 Class A is not used Class B is not used Class C is used for controlled zones above and around airports and for airspace above FL 100 or FL 130 near the Alps up to FL 660 Class D is used for controlled zones or above and around airspace Class C designated zones where CVFR is not necessary Class E is used for airspace between usually 2 500 ft 760 m AGL around airports 1 000 ft 300 m or 1 700 ft 520 m AGL and FL 100 Class F is not used Class G is used below 2 500 ft 760 m AGL around airports below 1 000 ft 300 m AGL then rises via a step at 1 700 ft 520 m to 2 500 ft 760 m AGL IFR flights in Class G are not allowed in Germany except for arrivals and departures in Radio Mandatory Zones RMZ around uncontrolled airfields with IFR procedures Iraq Edit In Iraq the Flight Information Regions FIR is known as Baghdad FIR It is classified into Class A D E and G airspace Class B C and F airspace are not used in the Baghdad FIR Air traffic services are provided in all controlled airspace by the controlling ATC Unit based on an ATS Surveillance System supplemented by procedural non ATS Surveillance System procedures or MRU where authorized based on Procedural non ATC Surveillance System procedures and supplemented by ATC Surveillance System where possible Class A is established from FL235 FL460 throughout the whole Baghdad FIR Class B is not used Class C is not used Class D is established in conjunction with airports that have operating control towers Class E is established at Baghdad Basrah Kirkuk and Mosul TMAs Class E airspace is also established along the air route structure Class F is not used Class G is established for all areas that are not classified as A D or E This airspace is primarily used by military VFR aircraft A Common Traffic Advisory Frequency CTAF is established for aircraft self deconfliction Ireland Edit In Ireland airspace is divided into classes A C and G only 3 Class A This high level en route controlled airspace is used predominately by commercial and passenger jets Only IFR flights are permitted and they require ATC clearance Class A airspace exists in the Northern Oceanic Transition Area NOTA and the Southern Oceanic Transition Area SOTA Class C This is the controlled airspace above 7 500 feet and surrounding major airports Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted and both require ATC clearance and separation service is to be provided by ATC Class G This airspace is uncontrolled Both IFR and VFR aircraft are permitted and neither requires an ATC clearance Italy Edit Class A is used for Rome and Milan TMAs Class B is not used Class C is used in all airspace above FL 195 and in Military Control Zones above FL 195 to FL 460 excluded Class D is used for controlled zones and other TMAs Class E is used for airways from MEL to FL 115 Class F is not used Class G is used in all other airspaces and above FL460Kenya Edit This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed May 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message Classes A C D G are used in Kenyan airspace alongside unclassified military operation areas which are defined in Restricted Areas and Prohibited Areas and are controlled by military air traffic control units Class A is used above FL145 except in areas where ground level exceeds FL145 in which case class A airspace exists above 1 500 ft 460 m AGL and class G below Class C airspace is used exclusively in the Nairobi TMA and CTR Class D airspace is used in all other aerodrome airspaces Class G airspace exists everywhere else particularly between ground level and 1 500 ft 460 m AGL Lithuania Edit In Lithuania Classes A and B are generally not used at all Classes C and D are used in the following areas of controlled airspace of the Republic of Lithuania in control zones CTR in terminal control areas TCA in control area CTA in upper control area UTA 4 Mauritius Edit Classes A C and G are used in Mauritius 5 Class A airspace exists within the entire Mauritius FIR Flight Information Region above FL245 Class C airspace exists within 150 nautical miles of Mauritius below FL245 Mauritius TMA and CTR Class G airspace exists in all other areas of the Mauritius FIR Netherlands Edit In the Netherlands a relatively large part of the country is Class A airspace Near Amsterdam the capital of the Netherlands the airspace is almost completely built up with class A It starts at 1500 MSL and ends at FL195 Further away from Amsterdam and its airport Schiphol Class A starts at a higher altitude Class B is used a lot as well Anywhere in the Netherlands Class A airspace ends at FL195 and changes into Class C Most of the CTRs are class D some of them are class C Class F is the only class that cannot be found in the Dutch airspace 6 New Zealand Edit In New Zealand Classes B E and F are not used at all Class A is used in Oceanic airspace above flight level FL 245 whereas Classes C and D are used in domestic airspace as part of the New Zealand FIR 7 Class A is used at or above 24 500 ft or FL245 in the Auckland Oceanic Flight Information Region Class B is not used Class C is used for control zones around major airports and associated surrounding control areas and en route airspace in the New Zealand Flight Information Region Class D is used for control zones around regional airports and military airbases Class E is not used Class F is not used Class G is used for all other airspace Norway Edit In Norway airspace is divided into classes A C D and G 8 Class A is only used for Bodo OCA FL195 and up Class C is used for controlled airspace Class D is used for controlled airspace where C is not used Class G is used elsewhere G is used in TIZ and TIA where two way radio communication is required during opening hours Russia Edit Russia adopted a modified version of ICAO airspace classification on November 1 2010 The division into classes for the airspace of the Russian Federation was introduced for the first time in the history of Russia 9 The airspace above the territory of the Russian Federation is divided as follows Class A applies to airspace above and including 8100 m the boundary between lower and upper airspace in Russia All operations in Class A airspace must follow IFR and are separated from each other by ATC Permanent two way radio contact with ATC is required Permission for using airspace is required except for the special cases listed in clause 114 of the Federal rules for using Russian air space 10 Class B is not used Class C airspace is defined below 8 100 metres 26 600 ft and allows IFR and VFR operations Both IFR and VFR operations are required to have permanent two way radio contact with ATC IFR flights are separated from each other and from VFR flights VFR flights are separated from IFR flights and are provided traffic information about other VFR flights Permission for using airspace is required except for the special cases listed in clause 114 of the Federal rules for using Russian air space 10 Class D is not used Class E is not used Class F is not used Class G airspace is defined wherever Class A and Class C airspaces are not defined Class G airspace allows IFR and VFR operations For altitudes less than 3 000 metres 9 800 ft the speed must not exceed 450 kilometres per hour 280 mph 240 kn Flights are provided with flight information service as requested IFR flights are required to have permanent two way radio contact with ATC No separation is provided by ATC No permission for using airspace is required 10 Airspace controlled by Russia outside the territory of Russia has different division into classes and includes redefined Class A and Class G but no class C airspace 10 Specific boundaries of airspaces are determined by the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation 199 of September 15 2010 10 11 Sweden Edit In Sweden airspace is divided into airspace class C and G only with a small E class area stretching over the Danish border into Swedish airspace 12 Class C is used for all controlled airspace Class E is used for Area L3 a small area southwest of Sweden within Sweden FIR but controlled by ACC Kobenhavn 13 Class G is used elsewhere United Kingdom Edit Class A Most airways up to FL 195 with the exception of airways lying within the Belfast CTR TMA and around Scotland The Terminal Control Areas TMAs around London Heathrow Airport Birmingham and Manchester The Channel Island Zone is Class A above FL80 The CTAs of Daventry Clacton Cotswold and Worthing Airways typically start at FL 70 and routing options become more attractive above FL 140 Class B Not currently used in the UK Class C All UK airspace between FL 195 and FL 660 The Upper Flight Information Region UIR boundary begins at FL 245 Some airways and CTAs may have sections of Class C Class D The CTRs and CTAs around the busier airports such as Stansted Gatwick Glasgow Birmingham Jersey Manchester and Heathrow A few airways in less busy areas are class D allowing mid level military VFR flights Class E Parts of the Belfast TMA and ATS routes in Scotland A clearance is not required for VFR flights within Class E airspace however pilots are strongly advised to contact the appropriate ATS Class F Not currently used in the UK All remaining Class F airspace was removed or converted to Class E or G in November 2014 Class G All remaining airspace comprising by far the largest part of the airspace below FL 195 The UK is unusual in that it has not adopted a widespread class E system of airways for most airspace lower than FL 70 Therefore for light aircraft IFR flight in Class G airspace is relatively common Use of a radio or transponder is not required even in IMC 14 ATC units may provide an as far as practical form of separation between some such flights but participation in the service is voluntary 15 In addition the UK has a couple of special classes of airspace that do not fall within the ICAO classes Aerodrome traffic zones ATZ are circular zones around an airport with a radius of 2 nmi or 2 5 nmi depending on runway length extending from the surface to 2 000 ft 600 m AAL above aerodrome level Aircraft within an ATZ must obey the instructions of the tower controller if present or must make radio contact with the Aerodrome Flight Information Service unit or Air Ground Communication Service unit for the aerodrome before entering the zone in the case of an uncontrolled airfield or must obey ground signals if non radio 16 Military air traffic zones MATZ are zones around military air bases in class G airspace Military aircraft treat these as if they are controlled airspace civilian traffic are advised but not obliged to do the same although they must respect the ATZ contained within the MATZ A MATZ usually consists of a circular zone with a radius of 5 nm extending from the surface to 3 000 ft 900 m AAL above aerodrome level Stubs 4 nm wide and 5 nm in length orientated with the aerodrome s main runway extend on opposite sides of the central circle extending from 1 000 ft 300 m to 3 000 ft 900 m AAL United States Edit Airspace classes in the United StatesMain article Airspace class United States The U S adopted a slightly modified version of the ICAO system on September 16 1993 when regions of airspace designated according to older classifications were converted entirely The exceptions are some terminal radar service areas TRSA which have special rules and still exist in a few places With some exceptions Class A airspace is applied to all airspace between 18 000 feet 5 500 m and flight level FL 600 approximately 60 000 ft Above FL600 the airspace reverts to Class E 17 The transition altitude is also consistently 18 000 feet 5 500 m everywhere All operations in US Class A airspace must be conducted under IFR SVFR flight in Class A airspace is prohibited Class B airspace is used to control the flow of traffic around major airports The airspace is charted on a VFR sectional chart with a series of blue lines Within these blue lines the floor and the ceiling of the Class B airspace is defined The lateral boundaries of Class B airspace are individually tailored to facilitate arriving and departing traffic operating under IFR Class B airspace extends from the surface to generally 10 000 feet 3 000 m MSL In Denver Colorado and Salt Lake City Utah the ceiling is at 12 000 feet 4 000 m MSL while in Phoenix Arizona the ceiling is at 9 000 feet 3 000 m MSL 18 Charts must be consulted for the most current floor and ceiling information Aircraft must establish two way radio communication with ATC and obtain a clearance to enter Class B airspace All aircraft operating inside or within 30 NM of the primary Class B airport s are required to have a transponder with Mode C The 30 NM Mode C Veil is denoted on VFR charts by a thin magenta line VFR traffic must remain clear of clouds and maintain 3 SM of visibility while operating within Class B airspace Class C airspace is used around airports with a moderate traffic level Class D is used for smaller airports that have a control tower The U S uses a modified version of the ICAO class C and D airspace where only radio contact with ATC rather than an ATC clearance is required for VFR operations Other controlled airspace is designated as Class E this includes a large part of the lower airspace Class E airspace exists in many forms It can serve as a surface based extension to Class D airspace to accommodate IFR approach departure procedure areas Class E airspace can be designated to have a floor of 700 AGL or 1 200 AGL or a customized floor of any other altitude Class E airspace exists above Class G surface areas from 14 500 MSL to 18 000 MSL Federal airways from 1 200 AGL to 18 000 MSL within 4 miles 6 km of the centerline of the airway is designated Class E airspace Airspace at any altitude over FL600 60 000 MSL the ceiling of Class A airspace is designated Class E airspace 17 The U S does not use ICAO Class F Class G uncontrolled airspace is mostly used for a small layer of airspace near the ground but there are larger areas of Class G airspace in remote regions Airspace classes and VFR EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed May 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message Authorities use the ICAO definitions to derive additional rules for VFR cloud clearance visibility and equipment requirements For example consider Class E airspace It is possible that an aircraft operating under VFR is not in communication with ATC so it is imperative that its pilot be able to see and avoid other aircraft and vice versa That includes IFR flights emerging from a cloud so the VFR flight must keep a designated distance from the edges of clouds above below and laterally and must maintain at least a designated visibility to give the two aircraft time to observe and avoid each other The low level speed limit of 250 knots does not apply above 10 000 feet 3 000 m so the visibility requirements are higher On the other hand in Class B and Class C airspaces separation is provided by ATC to all aircraft In these situations the VFR pilot only needs to see where his her own aircraft is going so visibility requirements are less stringent and there is no designated minimum distance from clouds Similar considerations determine whether a VFR aircraft must use a two way radio and or a transponder Special use airspace EditSee also Special use airspace This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed May 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message Each national authority designates areas of special use airspace SUA primarily for reasons of national security This is not a separate classification from the ATC based classes each piece of SUA is contained in one or more zones of letter classed airspace SUAs range in restrictiveness from areas where flight is always prohibited except to authorized aircraft to areas that are not charted but are used by military for potentially hazardous operations in this case the onus is on the military personnel to avoid conflict Refer to the external links for more specific details References Edit ICAO s airspace classification scheme is defined in ICAO Annex 11 Air Traffic Services Chapter 2 Section 2 6 available at ICAO Annexes All Documents Archived from the original on 2014 04 07 Retrieved 2014 04 05 eAIS Estonia Part 2 ENR 1 4 eaip eans ee 8 June 2017 archived from the original on 8 July 2017 retrieved 14 July 2017 Guide to IAA ATM Operations PDF www iaa ie 22 October 2014 retrieved 12 April 2020 Airfield Guide Lithuania 29 SEP 2005 ENR 1 1 1 Archived 2006 10 14 at the Wayback Machine AIP Mauritius AIS publicaties Air Traffic Control Netherlands Retrieved 2022 05 02 New Zealand Airspace PDF Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand IPPC AIP AIP The Official Site of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation March 11 2010 a b c d e Appendix to the Resolution of the Government of The Russian Federation 138 of March 11 2010 Archived July 24 2011 at the Wayback Machine in Russian Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation 199 of September 15 2010 in Russian ATS airspace classes services provided and flight requirements aro lfv se Archived from the original on 2022 04 07 Area Chart Malmo Archived from the original on 2020 10 20 Retrieved 2020 10 15 UK ATS Airspace Classifications PDF Archived from the original PDF on 2011 06 06 Retrieved 2010 01 22 New Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace ATSOCAS interactive guide now available Air Space Safety Airspace amp Safety Initiative ASI 20 June 2008 Archived from the original on January 3 2010 Godwin Peter 1987 2004 The Air Pilot s Manual Aviation Law And Meteorology Cranfield England Air Pilot Publishing Ltd a b FAA Order 7400 11 Subpart E Para 6001 Pilot2Pilot For Pilots by Pilot Class B Airspace Pilot2pilotblog blogspot com Retrieved 2014 03 04 External links EditAirspace in the U S from the FAA s Aeronautical Information Manual UK Manual of Air Traffic Services Part 1 US Airspace Aeronautical Charts Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Airspace class amp oldid 1159880071 ICAO definitions, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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