Airspace Lesson Plan

Nick Kraynyk

Objective:
Teach the student airspace and the requirements to enter certain airspace, as well as the different
types of special use airspace.
Elements:
VFR weather minimums for each airspace: 15 minutes
Airspace classes, operation rules, pilot certification, and airplane equipment for Class A, B, C, D, E, G:
20 minutes
Special Use airspace: 10 minutes.
Temporary flight restrictions: 5 minutes.
Equipment:
Sectional chart, PHAK, AFH, POH, white board and markers, computer with internet access,
Student actions:
Take notes and participate in the discussion. Ask questions if confused and be prepared to learn
airspace and the requirements that go with it.
Instructor Actions:
Teach all the elements relating to airspace properly and teach the student to a satisfactory level.
Purpose:
1. Airspace is everywhere.
2. Always been in an airspace.
3. How to know if you are legal to fly.
4. Busting controlled airspace.
5. Flying through dangerous areas. (MOAs, warning areas, etc.)
6. How to know if your aircraft is legal to fly into certain airspace.
7. Overview
Weather minimums PHAK 14-8
1. Class A
a. Controlled,
b. 18,000ft up to and including FL600
c. IFR rules/no WX minimums.
i. IFR flight plan,
ii. mode c transponder,
iii. clearance,
iv. two way radio,
v. DME above FL 240.
2. Class B,
a. Surface to 10,000 MSL.
b. Busiest airspace, for commercial airliners,
c. Tower and approach services
d. Upside down wedding cake shape.
i. Requires clearance,

ii. mode C transponder

iii. 2-way radio,
iv. Student pilot with endorsement.
Weather- 3 statute miles clear of clouds.
1. Class C
a. surface to 4000 AGL
b. Tower, approach, passenger operation and instrument approaches.
c. Most contain 5stm to 1,200 ft and 10stm from 1200 to 4000ft.
i. Transponder mode C
ii. Two way radio.
iii. Two-way radio communication before entering.
1. ATC needs to repeat your call sign for acknowledgement.
Weather- 3 statute miles 1,000ft above 500ft below 2,000ft horizontal.
1. Class D.
a. Surface to 2500ft
b. Tower only,
c. Normally contains entire instrument approaches.
i. Must establish two-way radio.
3 statute miles 1,000ft above 500ft below 2,000ft horizontal.
2. Class E.
a. Extends from a certain altitude to an overlying controlled airspace.
b. 700 agl (purple)
c. 1200 agl (blue),
d. Surface (Dashed magenta)
e. Other (Zipper Blue).
Weather- Below 10,000 ft- 3 statute miles 1,000ft above 500ft below 2,000ft horizontal.
Above 10,000ft- 5stm 1,000 below 1,000 above, 1stm horizontal.
3. Class G. Uncontrolled,
a. Surface to class E.
1200 ft: day- 1stm clear of clouds,
night- 3 statute miles 1000ft above 500ft below 2,000ft horizontal.
Above 1200 below 10000 Day: 1 statute miles 1000ft above 500ft below 2000 horizontal.
Night- 3 statute miles 1000ft above 500ft below 2000 horizontal.
Above 1200 agl and above 10,000 msl: 5Stm 1stm 1,000ft above 1,000 below
Special use airspace. PHAK 14-2, AIM 3-4-1
1. Check for times and dates being used before flying into them.
2. Check for controlling agencies and frequencies to talk to.
1. Prohibited areasa. No flight allowed, for security or other reasons
2. Restricted Areasa. Flight is allowed with permission.
b. Unusual, often invisible hazards.
3. Warning areas-

4.

5.
6.
7.
8.

a. 3nm off the coast

b. Hazardous activities to non-participating aircraft.
MOAsa. Separates military training from civilian,
b. No clearance required.
i. Is not talking to ATC a good idea?
Alert Areasa. high volume of pilot training (Colorado Springs)
CFAsa. Suspended if aircraft is spotted (Not charted)
NSAa. High ground security
b. Asking pilots to avoid (Tooele)
Contain certain activities dangerous to non-participating aircraft. These airspace contain times
of being effective, name of airspace, altitudes, agencys, and weather conditions.

Other types of airspace. PHAK 14-4

1. TFR- NOTAM,
a. Temporary prohibited areas.
b. Valid times.
c. Permanent TFRs
2. TRSAa. Additional ATC services separates IFR from VFR.
b. Solid black line.
3. Military Training Routesa. 3 digits above 1,500ft AGL
4. Wilderness Areasa. 2,000ft, Box with dots.
b. Asking pilots to avoid.
c. Legal to fly below 2,000ft, but bad operating practice.
Speed Limits:
1. Below 10,000 MSL.
a. Indicated 250 knots or less.
2. In bravo airspace.
a. 250 knots or less indicated.
3. Under a bravo shelf.
a. 200 knots or less indicated.
4. Above 10,000 out of any airspace.
a. Speed of sound.
Conclusion
Different airspace for different uses. Why the different classes exist, the point of classifying
airspace and the hazardous and problems with entering certain airspace.
Weather minimums change based on airspace because of different performance expected at
different altitudes and areas.
Why ATC exists and the services they provide, such as flight following traffic avoidance and
expedited traffic flow
Equipment required for different airspace and the restrictions on the airspace.
Difference between clearance and establishing two-way communication.

Questions:
1. What is the point of ATC?
2. Do you need to follow ATC orders 100% of the time?
3. What is controlled airspace? Uncontrolled?
4. What are some special use airspaces?
5. What airspace can we enter without a clearance?
6. What is the speed limit under a bravo shelf?
7. Is entering an active MOA a smart thing to do?
Completion Standards:
Lesson is complete when the student can demonstrate knowledge of the airspace to a
satisfactory level in the PTS.