Airspace

Airspace

Key Takeaways

Class A (18,000' MSL–FL600) is IFR only — VFR is never permitted.
Class B requires an explicit "Cleared into Class Bravo" clearance plus two-way radio, Mode C transponder, and ADS-B Out.
Class C and D require two-way radio communication established (ATC acknowledges your callsign) before entry.
Class E and G need no ATC contact; Class G below 1,200' AGL by day is just 1 SM visibility and clear of clouds.
VFR cloud clearance below 10,000' is 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal — Class B is the exception at clear of clouds.

VFR Weather Minimums

The table you'll be asked on checkride

Airspace	Visibility	Cloud Clearance
Class A	N/A (IFR only)	N/A (IFR only)
Class B	3 statute miles	Clear of clouds
Class C	3 statute miles	500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal
Class D	3 statute miles	500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal
Class E	Below 10,000': 3 SM At/above 10,000': 5 SM	Below 10,000': 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horiz At/above 10,000': 1,000' below, 1,000' above, 1 SM horiz
Class G	Day <1,200' AGL: 1 SM Night <1,200' AGL: 3 SM >1,200' AGL (day): 1 SM (<10,000'), 5 SM (≥10,000')	Day <1,200' AGL: Clear of clouds Night <1,200' AGL: 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horiz >1,200' AGL (day): 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horiz

Airspace Details

Entry, equipment, and examiner tips by class

Entry: IFR clearance required
Equipment: IFR-equipped, transponder w/ Mode C

DPE Tip

Know why VFR is prohibited (high-speed traffic, no see-and-avoid possible).

IFR only — no VFR flight permitted.

Entry: ATC clearance ("Cleared into Class Bravo")
Equipment: Two-way radio, transponder w/ Mode C, ADS-B Out

DPE Tip

Must hear the specific clearance. "Radar contact" or "squawk 1234" is NOT a clearance.

Surrounds the busiest airports. Student pilots need an endorsement for specific Class B airports.

Entry: Two-way radio communication established
Equipment: Two-way radio, transponder w/ Mode C, ADS-B Out

DPE Tip

The charted shelf reaches 10 NM; the outer area (radio contact recommended) extends to about 20 NM. The 30 NM Mode C veil is a Class B concept, not Class C.

ATC must acknowledge your callsign — "Standby" counts as communication established.

Entry: Two-way radio communication established
Equipment: Two-way radio

DPE Tip

When the tower closes, may revert to Class E or G. Check the Chart Supplement.

Around towered airports without radar approach. Tower hours vary.

Entry: No ATC clearance or contact required
Equipment: Transponder w/ Mode C above 10,000' MSL, ADS-B in certain areas

DPE Tip

Surface E shown by dashed magenta; 700' AGL shown by magenta shading.

Most common controlled airspace. Starts at 700' or 1,200' AGL in most areas.

Entry: No ATC contact required
Equipment: None required

DPE Tip

Know the "1-5-2" rule: 1 SM visibility, 500' below, clear of clouds during day <1,200' AGL.

Uncontrolled airspace. Most lenient minimums by day at low altitude.

Key Takeaways

Prohibited Areas (P-XXX) prohibit all flight; Restricted Areas (R-XXX) need controlling-agency permission when active.
Warning Areas hold the same hazards as Restricted Areas but sit in international airspace.
VFR aircraft may transit MOAs and Alert Areas without clearance, but must exercise extreme caution.
Controlled Firing Areas are not charted — activities suspend when aircraft approach.
TFRs are temporary restrictions for emergencies, VIP movement, and special events — check NOTAMs before every flight.

Special Use Airspace

Prohibited Area

P-XXX

Flight prohibited for security or national welfare.

Entry: Never permitted
Chart Symbol: Blue hatching with "P" designation
Examples: P-56 (White House/Capitol), Camp David

Sectional chart excerpt showing prohibited area P-40 around Camp David — a blue hatched circle labeled "P-40 / R-4009", with a caution note to contact Flight Service for the latest restriction status. — Prohibited area P-40 on a VFR sectional — a blue hatched boundary; all flight inside is prohibited.
PHAK Fig 15-2

Restricted Area

R-XXX

Hazardous activities (artillery firing, aerial gunnery, guided missiles).

Entry: Controlling-agency permission when active; check NOTAMs and Chart Supplement
Chart Symbol: Blue hatching with "R" designation
Examples: R-4009 (Fort Leonard Wood)

Sectional chart excerpt showing restricted area R-4401 A & B near Camp Shelby, outlined by a blue hatched boundary and labeled "RESTRICTED R-4401 A & B". — Restricted area R-4401 on a VFR sectional — enter only with the controlling agency's permission when it is active.
PHAK Fig 15-3

Warning Area

W-XXX

Same hazards as restricted areas, but in international airspace.

Entry: Not prohibited but hazardous — use caution
Chart Symbol: Blue hatching with "W" designation
Examples: Offshore military operations

Aeronautical chart legend swatch for a prohibited, restricted, or warning area — a blue hatched boundary box labeled with the examples P-56, R-6401, and W-518. — Warning areas are charted with the same blue hatched depiction as prohibited and restricted areas, with a "W" prefix (e.g. W-518).
ACUG p17

Military Operations Area (MOA)

MOA Name

Separates military training from IFR traffic. VFR aircraft may transit when active.

Entry: VFR allowed, but use extreme caution; contact FSS for activity status
Chart Symbol: Magenta hatching with MOA name
Examples: Razorback MOA, Lindbergh MOA

Sectional chart excerpt showing several military operation areas — Camden Ridge MOA, Pine Hill East MOA, and Pine Hill West MOA — each outlined by a magenta hatched boundary. — Military operation areas (MOAs) on a VFR sectional — magenta hatched boundaries; VFR traffic may transit with caution.
PHAK Fig 15-5

Alert Area

A-XXX

High volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity.

Entry: No restrictions; exercise caution
Chart Symbol: Blue hatching with "A" designation
Examples: Near military training bases

Sectional chart excerpt showing alert area A-211, labeled "HIGH VOLUME OF ROTARY AND FIXED WING FLIGHT TRAINING", with a note that the alert area is depicted to advise pilots of the activity. — Alert area A-211 on a VFR sectional — high training activity; no clearance required, but use extreme caution.
PHAK Fig 15-6

Controlled Firing Area

Not charted

Activities suspended when aircraft approach.

Entry: No restrictions — activities stop for aircraft
Chart Symbol: Not shown on charts
Examples: Various artillery and weapons ranges

TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction)

Varies

Temporary restrictions for emergencies, VIP movement, special events.

Entry: Check NOTAMs before every flight; 14 CFR §91.137-91.145
Chart Symbol: Not on printed charts - check NOTAMs
Examples: Presidential movement, wildfire suppression, sporting events

14 CFR §73

Key Takeaways

A NOTAM communicates the abnormal status of a NAS component — runway closures, NAVAID outages, TFRs, airspace changes.
14 CFR §91.103 requires the PIC to become familiar with all available information, explicitly including NOTAMs.
NOTAM (D) is the most common type; FDC NOTAMs carry regulatory changes and TFRs — always check both along your route.
TFRs are issued as FDC NOTAMs (§91.137–§91.145) and busting one can cost your certificate.
Check NOTAMs via 1800wxbrief.com, FAA NOTAM search, tfr.faa.gov, or your EFB before every flight.

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

FAA Order 7930.2 & 14 CFR §91.103

A NOTAM communicates the abnormal status of a NAS component — not the normal status. It covers anything not known early enough to publicize otherwise: runway closures, NAVAID outages, TFRs, airspace changes, and more.

14 CFR §91.103

"Each PIC shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight." This explicitly includes NOTAMs for the airports of intended use and the route.

Note: As of Feb 2025, the FAA reverted the term to "Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)" per FAA Order 7930.2.

14 CFR §91.103

Types of NOTAMs

Type	Meaning
NOTAM (D)	Distant dissemination — the most common type. Runway closures, PAPI/VASI outages, taxiway restrictions. Includes (U) unverified and (O) other NOTAMs.
FDC	Flight Data Center — regulatory changes to procedures, airways, and TFRs. Always check FDC NOTAMs along your route.
Center Area	FDC NOTAM not tied to one airport, filed under the controlling ARTCC. TFRs, airway changes, laser activity.
Pointer	Cross-reference directing you to an FDC or other NOTAM affecting your flight that a standard search might miss.
Military	Covers military airports and airspace. Not always in civilian briefings — relevant when your route passes near military fields or MOAs.

Reading a NOTAM

Location

Start

End

Schedule

Text

Lower alt

Upper alt

Example:

!KAVN 03/045 KAVN RWY 09/27 CLSD 2603151400-2603151800

!KAVN — accountability

03/045 — March, #45

KAVN — affected location

RWY 09/27 CLSD — closed

2603151400-2603151800 — Mar 15, 1400Z–1800Z

Tip

Check NOTAMs 25 NM either side of your full route to catch relevant NAVAID NOTAMs.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

Issued as FDC NOTAMs — busting one can cost your certificate

Reg	Restriction
§91.137	Disaster / Hazard Wildfires, volcanic activity, toxic spills
§91.138	National Emergency Declared by the administrator
§91.141	Presidential / VIP 30 NM radius, SFC–FL180, no VFR exceptions
§91.143	Space Operations Rocket launches, vehicle recovery
§91.145	Sporting Events NFL, MLB, NCAA — typically 3 NM, SFC–3,000' AGL
Security	Security TFR Nuclear plants, govt facilities — permanent or semi-permanent

14 CFR §91.137-91.145

Quick Reference

Where to Check

Source	Use
1800wxbrief.com	Official FSS briefing
notams.aim.faa.gov	FAA NOTAM search
tfr.faa.gov	Graphical TFR viewer
ForeFlight / Garmin Pilot	EFB integration
1-800-WX-BRIEF	Phone briefing
FAA Order 7930.2S	Governing order

Common Contractions

Contraction	Meaning
RWY	Runway
TWY	Taxiway
CLSD	Closed
AP	Airport
U/S	Unserv.
OBST	Obstacle
LGT	Light
SFC	Surface
TFR	Temp Restr
WEF	Eff. From
TIL	Until
PERM	Permanent
UFN	Until FN
PAPI	Prec Path
VASI	Vis Slope
AVBL	Available

Search official FAA NOTAMs

DPE Follow-Up

After you recite the VFR weather minimums, a DPE will often ask: "You're flying at 1,100 AGL over uncontrolled (Class G) airspace. What visibility and cloud clearance do you need — day vs. night?" The day/night split below 1,200 AGL in Class G is the most-missed minimums question on the oral.

Ask Kit

Scenario-based drill:

“I'm planning a VFR cross-country from a Class D airport through a Class C shelf and under Class B. Walk me through the airspace entry requirements, communication requirements, and VFR weather minimums for each segment.”

Key Takeaways

VFR Weather Minimums

Airspace Details

Class A18,000' MSL to FL600No VFR

Class BSurface to 10,000' MSL (varies)

Class CSurface to 4,000' AGL (typically)

Class DSurface to 2,500' AGL (typically)

Class EVaries (700' AGL, 1,200' AGL, surface, or 14,500' MSL)

Class GSurface to base of Class E (varies)

Key Takeaways

Special Use Airspace

Key Takeaways

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

Types of NOTAMs

Reading a NOTAM

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

Quick Reference

Where to Check

Common Contractions