UA.II.A.K1: General airspace:

ACS Area II — Airspace Classification and Operating Requirements Task A: Airspace Classification References: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 71; ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; AIMAeronautical Information ManualCloseFAA operational guidance and glossary material used to understand aviation procedures and terminology.; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Categories and Types of Airspace

U.S. airspace is divided into regulatory and nonregulatory categories, further classified into controlled, uncontrolled, special use, and other airspace types. These distinctions are based on factors like aircraft traffic density, types of operations, safety requirements, and national or public interests^[1].

• Controlled Airspace: Includes Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace, each with specific altitude and geographic parameters where air traffic control (ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services.) services are provided^[1][8].
• Uncontrolled Airspace: Known as Class G, where ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. does not provide separation services, and pilots must follow basic visual flight rules (VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions.)^[2][7].
• Special Use Airspace: Areas with unique restrictions or activities, such as prohibited, restricted, and military operations areas (MOAsMilitary Operations AreaCloseSpecial use airspace where military training may occur. It is shown on charts and matters for traffic awareness.)^[2][3].

Controlled Airspace: Classes A, B, C, D, and E

Class A Airspace

Class A airspace extends from 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSLMean Sea LevelCloseAltitude measured from average sea level, not from the ground below you.) up to flight level (FLFlight LevelCloseAltitude expressed using a standard pressure setting, mainly relevant to higher-altitude crewed aviation.) 600, including airspace over waters within 12 nautical miles off the coast of the contiguous states and Alaska^[1][4][8]. Operations require adherence to instrument flight rules (IFRInstrument Flight RulesCloseRules for operating primarily by instruments. On the exam, IFR often appears in weather, traffic, and airspace context.); VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. operations are not allowed^[4][8].

Class B Airspace

Class B airspace extends from the surface to 10,000 feet MSLMean Sea LevelCloseAltitude measured from average sea level, not from the ground below you. around the busiest airports, with configurations resembling an “upside-down wedding cake”^[1][4][8]. ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. clearance is required for entry and operation, and VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. aircraft must remain “clear of clouds.” It is depicted on sectional charts and VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. Terminal Area Charts (TACTerminal Area ChartCloseA large-scale chart used around busy terminal airspace where more detail is needed.)^[1][4][6].

Class C Airspace

Class C airspace surrounds airports with significant passenger or IFRInstrument Flight RulesCloseRules for operating primarily by instruments. On the exam, IFR often appears in weather, traffic, and airspace context. operations. Boundaries and vertical limits accommodate all instrument procedures and surrounding traffic. Two-way radio communications with ATCAir Traffic ControlCloseThe system that manages controlled airspace, traffic flow, and aircraft separation services. must be established before entering and maintained while operating within Class C^[1][8].

Class D Airspace

Class D airspace typically surrounds airports with an operational control tower^[1][5][8]. Vertical limits are published on aeronautical charts. Entry requires two-way radio communication with the tower. If the tower is closed, the airspace may revert to Class E or G, depending on published procedures^[5]. Depicted with blue segmented lines on charts, aircraft are limited to a maximum speed of 200 knots (230 mph) at or below 2,500 feet within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport, unless authorized^[5].

Class E Airspace

Class E airspace is controlled but not designated as Class A, B, C, or D^[2][8]. The base varies: generally starting at 1,200 feet AGLAbove Ground LevelCloseAltitude measured above the ground directly below the aircraft., but in some areas at the surface or 700 feet AGLAbove Ground LevelCloseAltitude measured above the ground directly below the aircraft.; where not depicted, it begins at 14,500 feet MSLMean Sea LevelCloseAltitude measured from average sea level, not from the ground below you.. Class E extends up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSLMean Sea LevelCloseAltitude measured from average sea level, not from the ground below you., and all airspace above FLFlight LevelCloseAltitude expressed using a standard pressure setting, mainly relevant to higher-altitude crewed aviation. 600 is Class E^[2][7].

Uncontrolled Airspace: Class G

Class G airspace includes all airspace not designated as Class A, B, C, D, or E, thus considered uncontrolled^[2][7]. Pilots are responsible for their own traffic separation and must follow VFRVisual Flight RulesCloseRules for flight using visual reference and minimum weather conditions. visibility and cloud clearance minimums specified in 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. §91.155. Class G usually extends from the surface up to the overlying Class E base^[2][7].

Special Use and Other Airspace

Special use airspace is designated for activities that may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft or impose operational limitations^[2][3][7]. These areas include prohibited, restricted, warning, MOAsMilitary Operations AreaCloseSpecial use airspace where military training may occur. It is shown on charts and matters for traffic awareness., alert areas, and controlled firing areas, confining or segregating certain activities for safety or security reasons.

InteractiveStep 1 — Learn the symbols on a clean diagram

Decoder Sheet

Norfolk, VA — Class B/C/D, Warning Areas, Restricted

Tap a marker, read the plain-English rule, then zoom into the same FAA-style chart without a second coordinate system.

Fig. 200 interactive markers — click to explore

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FAA-CT-8080-2H (Public Domain) — Training only. Not for navigation or operational authorization.

Tap any symbol on the map · scroll to zoom

Real FAA Chart

Step 2 — Now read a real FAA chart

Figure 20 from FAA-CT-8080-2H: Norfolk, VA sectional. Click any highlighted circle to reveal the Part 107 rule for that symbol.

🔍Click any highlighted circle to see the Part 107 rule · Scroll to zoom · Drag to pan

Fig. 200 interactive markers — click to explore

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FAA-CT-8080-2H (Public Domain) — For training purposes only. Not for navigation.

FAA-CT-8080-2H Figure 20 — not to scale, not for navigation