Airspace Classes & Rules
FARs 91.126 – 91.135
Airspace Classes
Class A ‘Above Everything’
FAR 91.135
FAR 71.33
Area
FL180 - FL600 ‘MSL
12 NM from contiguous coast
Pilot Qualifications
Instrument rated
Entry Requirements
IFR Flight Plan Instrument Rating
Equipment Requirements
IFR equipped
Class B ‘Busy’
FAR 91.131
PHAK
- Tower ensures aircraft separation
- Contains published instrument procedures
Area
Usually SFC - 10,000’ MSL, tiered shelves
Altitude per sector in blue ceiling/floor, MSL
Sectional
Solid blue line
Pilot Qualifications
Student Pilot with solo endorsement
Entry Requirements
ATC Clearance “cleared into bravo airspace”
Equipment Requirements
Mode C transponder, ADS-B out
Two-way communication
Class C ‘Controlled’
FAR 91.130
- Tower ensures aircraft separation
- Contains published instrument procedures
Area
Altitude per sector in magenta ceiling/floor, MSL
SFC - 1,200’ AGL 5 NM radius
1,200’ - 4,000’ AGL 10 NM radius
Sectional
Solid magenta line
Pilot Qualifications
Student Pilot with solo endorsment
Entry Requirements
2 way radio communication
established with callsign
Equipment Requirements
Mode C transponder, ADS-B out
2 way communication
Class D ‘Do talk to them’
FAR 91.129
- Tower ensures aircraft separation
- Contains published instrument procedures
Area
Usually SFC - 2,500’ AGL, 4 NM radius
Sectional
Dashed blue circle Arrival extensions class D/E airspace
Pilot Qualifications
Student Pilot with solo endorsement
Entry Requirements
2 way radio communication
established with call sign
Equipment Requirements
2 way radio communication
Class E ‘Everything Else’
FAR 91.127
FAR 71.71
- Contains Federal Airways 700’ or 1,200’ AGL
Area SFC - 17,999’ MSL
Sectional Dashed magenta (inside)
Area 700’ AGL - 17,999’ MSL
Sectional Faded magenta (inside)
Area 1,200’ AGL - 17,999’ MSL
Sectional Faded blue (outside)
Area 14,500’ - 17,999’ MSL
Sectional Faded blue (inside)
Area 12 NM from U.S. coast
Above FL600
Pilot Qualifications
Student Pilot with solo endorsement
Entry Requirements
None
Equipment Requirements
Above 10,000’ MSL – Mode C transponder, ADS-B out
Class G ‘Ground’
FAR 91.126
Uncontrolled airspace
Area
Less than 700’ / 1,200’ AGL below Class E
Pilot Qualifications
Student Pilot with solo endorsement
Entry Requirements
None
Equipment Requirements
None
Airspace Infographic
IFH Figure 1-1
Airspace Rules
Right of Way
Speed Restrictions
FAR 91.117 – Aircraft speed
- 250 KIAS below 10,000’ MSL
- 200 KIAS –
- At or below 2,500’ MSL within 4 NM of Class C or D airspace (not inside)
- Underneath Class B
- Within Class B VFR corridor