The Private Pilot

1. The Private Pilot

2. Class 4 - Airports Air Traffic Control and Airspace

3. Objective: To study the FAA’s categorization of airspace and other operational regulations.

4. Minimum Visibility and Cloud Clearances Most Places, with a few exceptions: 3 Miles Visibility 1000 Feet Above the Clouds 500 Feet Below the Clouds 2000 Feet Horizontal From Clouds

5. Minimum Safe Altitudes FAR 91.119 Anywhere? Congested? Other than congested?

6. Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

7. (b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

8. (c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

9. Airspace Classification • AIM 3-1-1 • a. There are two categories of airspace or airspace areas:1. Regulatory (Class A, B, C, D and E airspace areas, restricted and prohibited areas); and2. Nonregulatory (military operations areas (MOAs), warning areas, alert areas, and controlled firing areas).

10. Airspace Classification • b. Within these two categories, there are four types:1. Controlled,2. Uncontrolled,3. Special use, and4. Other airspace.

11. c. The categories and types of airspace are dictated by:1. The complexity or density of aircraft movements,2. The nature of the operations conducted within the airspace,3. The level of safety required, and4. The national and public interest.

12. Towered v. Non Towered Airport • UNV • UNControlled • Controlled

13. Class A

14. 3-2-2. Class A Airspacea. Definition. Generally, that airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska; and designated international airspace beyond 12 nautical miles of 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.b. Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements. Unless otherwise authorized, all persons must operate their aircraft under IFR. (See 14 CFR Section 71.33 and 14 CFR Section 91.167 through 14 CFR Section 91.193.)c. Charts. Class A airspace is not specifically charted.

16. 3-2-3. Class B Airspacea. Definition. 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 (some Class B airspace areas resemble upside-down wedding cakes), 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."b. Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements for VFR Operations. 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 the requirements of 14 CFR Section 91.215 and 14 CFR Section 91.131 are met. Included among these requirements are:

18. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, aircraft must be equipped with an operable two-way radio capable of communicating with ATC on appropriate frequencies for that Class B airspace.

19. 2. No person may take off or land a civil aircraft at the following primary airports within Class B airspace unless the pilot-in-command holds at least a private pilot certificate:……3. No person may take off or land a civil aircraft at an airport within Class B airspace or operate a civil aircraft within Class B airspace unless:(a) The pilot-in-command holds at least a private pilot certificate; or(b) The aircraft is operated by a student pilot or recreational pilot who seeks private pilot certification and has met the requirements of 14 CFR Section 61.95.(Training on Specific Class B and Endorsed)

20. 5. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each aircraft must be equipped as follows:(a) For IFR operations, an operable VOR or TACAN receiver; and(b) For all operations, a two-way radio capable of communications with ATC on appropriate frequencies for that area; and(c) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting equipment.NOTE-ATC may, upon notification, immediately authorize a deviation from the altitude reporting equipment requirement; however, a request for a deviation from the 4096 transponder equipment requirement must be submitted to the controlling ATC facility at least one hour before the proposed operation.

21. 6. Mode C Veil. The airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in Appendix D, Section 1 of 14 CFR Part 91.215(2) (generally primary airports within Class B airspace areas), from the surface upward to 10,000 feet MSL. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, aircraft operating within this airspace must be equipped with automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment having Mode C capability.However, an aircraft that was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with a system installed may conduct operations within a Mode C veil provided the aircraft remains outside Class A, B or C airspace; and below the altitude of the ceiling of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport or 10,000 feet MSL, whichever is lower.

22. Appendix D to Part 91—Airports/Locations: Special Operating RestrictionsSection 1. Locations at which the requirements of §91.215(b)(2) apply.The requirements of §91.215(b)(2) apply below 10,000 feet above the surface within a 30-nautical-mile radius of each location in the following list:

24. An operable 4096-code transponder and Mode C encoding altimeter are required in A) Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL. B) Class D airspace. C) Class B airspace and within 30 miles of the Class B primary airport.

25. (Refer to figure 26, area 4.) The floor of Class B airspace overlying Hicks Airport (T67) north-northwest of Fort Worth Meacham Field is A) 4,000 feet MSL. B) 3,200 feet MSL. C) at the surface.

26. (Refer to figure 26, area 2.) The floor of Class B airspace at Addison Airport is A) 3,000 feet MSL. B) 3,100 feet MSL. C) at the surface.

27. Airspace Visibility CloudsClass B 3 statute miles Clear of Clouds.

28. Except as provided in appendix D, section 3, of this part, special VFR operations may be conducted :(1) With an ATC clearance;(2) Clear of clouds;(3) Except for helicopters, when flight visibility is at least 1 statute mile; and(4) Except for helicopters, between sunrise and sunset (or in Alaska, when the sun is 6 degrees or more below the horizon) unless—(i) The person being granted the ATC clearance meets the applicable requirements for instrument flight under part 61 of this chapter; and(ii) The aircraft is equipped as required in §91.205(d).

29. Appendix D to Part 91—Airports/Locations: Special Operating RestrictionsSection 3. Locations at which fixed-wing Special VFR operations are PROHIBITED.

30. Section 4. Locations at which solo student, sport, and recreational pilot activity is not permitted.Pursuant to §91.131(b)(2), solo student, sport, and recreational pilot operations are not permitted at any of the following airports.

31. (Refer to figure 26.) At which airports is fixed-wing Special VFR not authorized? A) Addison and Redbird. B) Dallas-Fort Worth International and Dallas Love Field. C) Fort Worth Meacham and Fort Worth Spinks.

34. 3-2-4. Class C Airspacea. Definition. 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 1,200 feet up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation.

35. b. Charts. Class C airspace is charted on Sectional Charts, IFR En Route Low Altitude, and Terminal Area Charts where appropriate.c. Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements:1. Pilot Certification. No specific certification required.2. Equipment.(a) Two-way radio; and(b) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting equipment.

36. 3. Arrival or Through Flight Entry Requirements. Two-way radio communication must be established with the ATC facility providing ATC services prior to entry and thereafter maintain those communications while in Class C airspace. Pilots of arriving aircraft should contact the Class C airspace ATC facility on the publicized frequency and give their position, altitude, radar beacon code, destination, and request Class C service. Radio contact should be initiated far enough from the Class C airspace boundary to preclude entering Class C airspace before two-way radio communications are established.

37. NOTE-1. If the controller responds to a radio call with, "(aircraft callsign) standby," radio communications have been established and the pilot can enter the Class C airspace.

38. 2. If workload or traffic conditions prevent immediate provision of Class C services, the controller will inform the pilot to remain outside the Class C airspace until conditions permit the services to be provided.3. It is important to understand that if the controller responds to the initial radio call without using the aircraft identification, radio communications have not been established and the pilot may not enter the Class C airspace.

39. 4. Though not requiring regulatory action, Class C airspace areas have a procedural Outer Area. Normally this area is 20 NM from the primary Class C airspace airport. Its vertical limit extends from the lower limits of radio/radar coverage up to the ceiling of the approach control's delegated airspace, excluding the Class C airspace itself, and other airspace as appropriate. (This outer area is not charted.)

40. 5. Pilots approaching an airport with Class C service should be aware that if they descend below the base altitude of the 5 to 10 mile shelf during an instrument or visual approach, they may encounter nontransponder, VFR aircraft.EXAMPLE-1. [Aircraft callsign] "remain outside the Class Charlie airspace and standby."2. "Aircraft calling Dulles approach control, standby.”

41. 4. Departures from:(a) A primary or satellite airport with an operating control tower. Two-way radio communications must be established and maintained with the control tower, and thereafter as instructed by ATC while operating in Class C airspace.(b) A satellite airport without an operating control tower. Two-way radio communications must be established as soon as practicable after departing with the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the Class C airspace.

42. The normal radius of the outer area of Class C airspace is A) 20 nautical miles. B) 5 nautical miles. C) 15 nautical miles.

43. All operations within Class C airspace must be in A) accordance with instrument flight rules. B) compliance with ATC clearances and instructions. C) an aircraft equipped with a 4096-code transponder with Mode C encoding capability.

44. What minimum radio equipment is required for operation within Class C airspace? A) Two-way radio communications equipment and a 4096-code transponder. B) Two-way radio communications equipment, a 4096-code transponder, and an encoding altimeter. C) Two-way radio communications equipment, a 4096-code transponder, and DME.

45. Which initial action should a pilot take prior to entering Class C airspace? A) Contact the tower and request permission to enter. B) Contact approach control on the appropriate frequency. C) Contact the FSS for traffic advisories.

46. Two-way radio communication must be established with the Air Traffic Control facility having jurisdiction over the area prior to entering which class airspace? A) Class E. B) Class C. C) Class G.

47. The vertical limit of Class C airspace above the primary airport is normally A) 3,000 feet AGL. B) 4,000 feet AGL. C) 1,200 feet AGL.

48. Under what condition may an aircraft operate from a satellite airport within Class C airspace? A) The pilot must contact ATC as soon as practicable after takeoff. B) The pilot must file a flight plan prior to departure. C) The pilot must monitor ATC until clear of the Class C airspace.

49. (Refer to figure 24, area 3.) What is the floor of the Savannah Class C airspace at the shelf area (outer circle)? A) 1,700 feet MSL. B) 1,300 feet AGL. C) 1,300 feet MSL.

50. (Refer to figure 21, area 1.) What minimum radio equipment is required to land and take off at Norfolk International? A) Mode C transponder, omnireceiver, and DME. B) Mode C transponder and omnireceiver. C) Mode C transponder and two-way radio.