Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Regulations No. 1
Airspace
For Everyone
In this Safety Advisor, we will examine the airspace
structure and how pilots are expected (and required
by the Federal Aviation Regulations) to operate with-
in it.
soap opera plot. the busiest of airports, traffic density was very low,
and the airplanes flew slowly. Although there were
no standards for weather conditions that aircraft
however, it does
time to avoid a collision. This was called see and
avoid. It formed the basis for VFR flight and remains
critical to preventing collisions.
Controlled Airspace
The Beginning
With the advent of inexpensive gyroscopic flight instru-
ments, travel through the clouds became possible. See Figure 1. Victor Airway
and avoid was useless in the soup, so procedures to
ensure aircraft separation were needed. This led to the Contrary to what many pilots believe, controlled air-
creation of air traffic control (ATC) and controlled, or space does not mean that all flight within it is controlled.
Class E, airspace. The government established a system It means that IFR services are available to qualified pilots
of airways, each eight-nautical miles wide with base who choose to use them. Pilots operating under VFR
altitudes of 1,200 feet above ground level (agl), and des- may fly freely in controlled airspace as long as weather
ignated the airspace within them as controlled airspace. conditions meet current regulatory requirements for that
The airway system was defined by a network of radio airspace.
beacons, many of which were located on airports.
To help pave the way for all-weather utility, the instru- A weather observer or automated weather observation
ment landing system (ILS) was invented, providing equipment (ASOS or AWOS) must be available at air-
vertical guidance in the form of an electronic glideslope. ports surrounded by surface-based Class E. If weather
It remains the predominant precision approach system information is not available, the airspace reverts to Class
today. G with a Class E transition area, as shown in Figure 3.
As radar became commonplace, the FAA designed A TRSA is airspace that does not fit the requirements
new classes of airspace solely to separate IFR and VFR of Class C airspace, but is too busy to be just Class D
flights in areas of high traffic. These classes of airspace airspace.
include terminal radar service areas (TRSAs), Class C,
and Class B.
Figure 9. VFR Corridor It’s good practice to read back clearances to ensure that
there are no misunderstandings between you and ATC.
Special VFR
A Special VFR (SVFR) clearance is one that permits take-
offs and landings in conditions below basic VFR weather
minimums (1,000-foot ceiling and 3-sm visibility). It can
Figure 11. SUA Scheduled Hours of Operation
be granted within the surface boundaries of Class B, C,
D, and E airspace, unless there is a “NO SVFR” noted in
the airport information block on the sectional or termi-
• Prohibited areas are established for security reasons
nal area chart.
or for national welfare and are identified on aviation
charts by a defined area marked with the letter “P,” fol-
SVFR requires at least one-mile ground or flight visibility
lowed by a number. Prohibited areas are permanently
and the ability to remain clear of clouds. At night, a
“off limits”. An example of a prohibited area is the White
SVFR clearance requires that the pilot be instrument-
House, or Camp David, as shown in Figure 12. Although
rated and the airplane be equipped for instrument flight.
these areas are charted, it is imperative to check notices
An SVFR clearance only permits the pilot to operate in
to airmen (notams) before you fly. Some prohibited areas
substandard VFR weather minimums in the selected
such as P-40 (Camp David in Thurmont, MD) may
change often.
• Alert areas are airspace in which an unusual type of The Cessna pilot had been receiving VFR traffic advi-
aerial activity or dense pilot training takes place. They sories from the Tampa TRACON. The F-16 had just
advise pilots of possible aerial conflicts, but have no spe- been cleared onto a visual MTR and was not communi-
cial rules. Alert areas are identified on sectional charts cating with ATC at the time of the accident.
by areas marked with the letter “A,” followed by a num-
ber. Alert area altitudes differ for each area and can be Military aircraft are permitted to exceed the 250-knot
determined by consulting sectional chart legends. speed limit below 10,000 feet msI when cleared onto
an MTR. Pilots should be aware that they can encounter
high-speed military aircraft at low altitudes outside of
MOAs and restricted areas.
Airspace Odds and Ends
• Air defense identification zones (ADIZ) exist over
• National security areas (NSAs) are established by the coastal waters of the United States and along the
notam over areas that require increased security. Pilots U.S border with Mexico (contiguous ADIZ) and over
may be asked to voluntarily avoid flying over certain some land areas (domestic or land-based ADIZ).
areas, or flights within NSAs may be forbidden by
temporary flight restrictions (TFRs). Aircraft flying within or through the contiguous ADIZ
must be on a flight plan (either IFR or defense VFR,
• Military training routes (MTRs), as shown in Figure known as DVFR), establish and maintain two-way radio
16, are one-way high-speed routes for military traffic. communications with ATC, and squawk a discrete
They are depicted on sectional charts and are of two transponder code. Pilots flying through or within the
types: IR (IFR) and VR (VFR). Routes without a segment contiguous ADIZ must give an estimated time of ADIZ
above 1,500 feet agl are charted with a four-number entry to the FSS. If on an IFR flight plan, ATC will be
identifier, and routes with at least one segment above advised of your position. If on a VFR flight plan, pilots
1,500 feet agl are charted with a three-number identifi- must file their estimated time of ADIZ penetration with
er. MTRs can vary in width from four to 16 miles. the FSS and update this time if it changes by more than
15 minutes. If you do not update this time and your
Military aircraft are not confined to MTRs, MOAs, and actual ADIZ penetration time differs from the estimated
restricted areas. They may be encountered anywhere time by more than 15 minutes expect a military inter-
civil traffic flies. Rest assured, military traffic in or out- ception.
side of specially designated airspace must adhere to all
Federal Aviation Regulations. Currently, one land-based ADIZ is charted. This ADIZ is
around the Washington, D.C. area and roughly covers
In November of 2000, a Cessna 172 and an Air Force the lateral limits of the Baltimore-Washington Class B
F-16 fighter collided south of Tampa, Florida, just out- airspace from the surface to 18,000 feet msl except
side of the Tampa Class B airspace and near the begin- where it extends to the south. Inside a land-based
ning of a low-altitude military training route. The pilot of ADIZ, all aircraft are required to be on a flight plan (file
the Cessna, a 57-year-old flight instructor and charter “ADIZ flight plan” in the remarks section), squawk a
pilot, was killed. The F-16 pilot ejected safely. discrete transponder code, and have two-way commu-
VFR charts also depict glider, hang glider, and ultralight For more information on TFRs, visit
operations areas with symbology as shown in Figure 17. http://www.faa.gov/ATS/ATA/ai/TFR_AC_91-63C.pdf
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may be A pilot was flying in the vicinity of Washington, D.C.
imposed to keep aircraft from entering certain areas. when he diverted to avoid flying into weather. He was
TFRs are often issued on very short notice, for a variety not in radio contact with ATC, so he remained clear of
of reasons, and have become more prevalent since the Class B airspace. However, in doing so, he inadver-
September 11, 2001. TFRs are issued by notams tently penetrated the ADIZ around Washington, DC.
(see FAR 91.137). He was intercepted and escorted to a nearby aiport by
fighter aircraft.
Because of the last-minute nature of many TFRs, all
pilots must use extra caution. Know where you are at all
times, and obtain at least a standard preflight briefing The following is an example of a TFR notam:
from an FSS and request notams before your flight. As
FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ST. MARYS, GA. EFFECTIVE
pilot in command, it is your responsibility to avoid
IMMEDIATELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PURSUANT
all TFRs.
TO 14 CFR SECTION 99.7 SPECIAL SECURITY
INSTRUCTIONS. FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN
TFRs are established for a variety of reasons
EFFECT DUE TO NATIONAL SECURITY. EXCEPT FOR
including:
RELIEF AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS UNDER DIRECTION
OF THE COMMANDER, KING BAY NAVAL BASE. ALL
• Protection of persons and property when low
OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN THE AIR-
flying aircraft would increase a hazard over a
SPACE FROM THE SURFACE UP TO BUT NOT
ground incident.
INCLUDING 3000 FEET MSL WITHIN A 2 NAUTICAL
MILE RADIUS OF 3048N/08131W AND THE
• Providing a safe environment for disaster relief.
CRAIG/CRG/ VORTAC 002 DEGREE RADIAL AT 27
NAUTICAL MILES. JACKSONVILLE TRACON 904-741-
• Preventing unsafe congestion of sightseeing aircraft
0767 IS IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION.
above an incident or event with a high degree of
MACON/MCN/ AFSS 478-784-1155 IS THE FAA
public interest.
COORDINATION FACILITY.
For more FREE information on these and other aviation safety topics, visit:
Rocks wings. After acknowledge- You have been inter- Rocks wings and follows. (Also, at I understand and will
ment initiates a slow level turn, nor- cepted. Follow me. night flash navigational lights.) comply.
mally to the left, onto the desired
heading.
Cut-out and retain for reference.
Performs an abrupt breakaway You may proceed. Rocks wings. I understand and will
maneuver consisting of a climbing comply.
90-degree turn, or more, without
crossing the intercepted aircraft's
flight path.
Circles airport, lowers landing gear, Land at this airport. Lowers landing gear, follows the I understand and will
and overflies runway in the direc- law enforcement aircraft and lands comply.
tion of landing. if the runway is considered safe.
(Also, at night turn the landing
lights on.)
Raises landing gear while flying This airport is If the intercepted aircraft is requ- Understood, follow
over runway between 1,000' and inadequate. ested to go to an alternate airport, me.
2,000', and continues to circle the the law enforcement aircraft raises
airport. its landing gear and uses the inter-
cept procedures.
The pilot switches on and off all Cannot comply. Performs the breakaway Understood.
available lights at regular intervals. maneuver.
The pilot switches on and off In distress. Performs the breakaway Understood.
all available lights at irregular maneuver.
intervals.
1-800-WX-BRIEF
SA02-9/05