What airspace is everywhere?

Think of Class E as the “everywhere airspace” or the leftover controlled airspace segments that fill in the gaps around other classes of controlled airspace. This is part of what makes it more varied and more confusing than most other classes.



Class E airspace is often referred to by pilots and drone operators as "Class Everywhere" because it is the most common and widespread type of controlled airspace in the United States. It essentially acts as the "filler" for the National Airspace System, occupying the vast majority of the sky that isn't already designated as high-traffic Class A, B, C, or D airspace. Class E usually begins at 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL) and extends up to, but not including, 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), where it transitions into Class A. Near many airports, the floor of Class E may drop to 700 feet AGL or even all the way to the surface to provide a controlled environment for aircraft flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) during their approach. While it is considered "controlled" for IFR traffic, pilots flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) do not need explicit permission or radio communication with Air Traffic Control to enter it, as long as they meet specific visibility and cloud clearance requirements. Above 60,000 feet (Flight Level 600), the sky transitions back into Class E, continuing into the upper reaches of the atmosphere.

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Most airspace in the United States is class E. The airspace above FL600 is also class E. No ATC clearance or radio communication is required for VFR flight in class E airspace. VFR visibility and cloud clearance requirements are the same as for class C and D airspaces when below 10,000 feet (3,000 m) MSL.

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It is that portion of the airspace that has not been designated as Control Area, Control Zone, Terminal Control Area or Transition Area. According to the airspace classes set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the uncontrolled classes of airspace are class F and G.

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Class G. Individual countries designate different portions of airspace as class G, e.g. in the UK, airspace above FL660 (Flight Level 660 or 66,000 feet) is uncontrolled and belonging to class G, while in the US, any airspace above FL600 (60,000 feet) is designated as class E and therefore controlled.

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Class A airspace is generally the airspace from 18,000 feet (~3.4 miles, 5.5 km) mean sea level (MSL) up to and including flight level (FL) 600 (~11.4 miles, 18.3 km), including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles (NM) (~13.8 miles, 22.2 km) of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska.

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Restricted airspace is an area of airspace typically used by the military in which the local controlling authorities have determined that air traffic must be restricted or prohibited for safety or security concerns.

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There is no existing mechanism for the FAA to monitor if there are drone pilots, licensed or otherwise, who will fly above this altitude limit. That is well and fine until you get into a close encounter with a manned aircraft, for which you could be facing heavy penalties if the FAA can identify you as the drone pilot.

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Upper Class E airspace operations refer to those that take place over 60,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) in the National Airspace System (NAS). Operations in upper Class E airspace have historically been limited due to the challenges faced by conventional fixed wing aircraft in reduced atmospheric density.

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How and when can drone pilots use LAANC ? Drone pilots planning to fly under 400 feet in controlled airspace around airports must receive an airspace authorization from the FAA before they fly. LAANC is available to pilots operating under the Small UAS Rule Part 107 or under the exception for Recreational Flyers.

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The FAA requires that all aircraft obtain ATC approval prior to entering Class D airspace. Approval is given by the ATC facility that provides ATC services for the designated airspace. This is usually the local tower at a controlled airport.

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The U.S. aviation system is the safest in the world, but one close call is one too many. The FAA and the aviation community are pursuing a goal of zero serious close calls, a commitment from the Safety Summit in March. The same approach virtually eliminated the risk of fatalities aboard U.S. commercial airlines.

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Military Operations Area (MOA) is designated outside of Class A airspace, up to 17,999 Mean Sea Level (MSL). A MOA separates or segregates certain non-hazardous military activities from Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) traffic, and identifies where these activities are conducted for Visual Flight Rule (VFR) traffic.

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In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has the sole authority to regulate all navigable airspace exclusively determining the rules and requirements for its use.

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Like all other aircraft, they are not allowed to fly over the airport or cross into arrival and departure airspace without clearance. It is the task of the air traffic controls to deconflict the aircraft appropriately.

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Usually, the danger area is monitored by the responsible authorities who cease operations if unauthorised penetration occurs. However, it is the responsibility of pilots to avoid penetration of danger areas.

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