Airspace Classes

PPL ACS 1E FAR 91.126 - 91.135

AIM — PHAK — IFH 1-2

IFH Figure 1-1

 Class A   'Above Everything'

FAR 71.33

Area

FL180 - FL600 'MSL

12 NM from contiguous coast


Pilot Qualifications

Instrument rated


Entry Requirements

ATC clearance


Equipment Requirements

IFR equipped


 Class B   'Busy'


Area

Usually SFC - 10,000' MSL, tiered shelves

MSL altitude per sector in blue  ceiling/floor


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'


Area

MSA altitude per sector in magenta  ceiling/floor

0' - 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'


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 71.71


Area SFC - 17,999' MSL

Sectional Dashed magenta


Area 700' AGL - 17,999' MSL

Sectional Faded magenta


Area 1,200' AGL - 17,999' MSL

Sectional Faded blue


Area 14,500' - 17,999' MSL

12 NM from U.S. coast

Above FL600


Pilot Qualifications

Student Pilot with solo endorsement


Entry Requirements

None


Equipment Requirements

Mode C transponder, ADS-B out above 10,000' MSL


 Class G   'Ground'

Uncontrolled airspace


Area

Less than 1,200' AGL  below Class E


Pilot Qualifications

Student Pilot with solo endorsement


Entry Requirements

None


Aircraft Requirements

None