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What is Class C airspace?

Class C airspace is designed to establish and maintain safe separation of mixed general aviation and airline traffic. It is usually upside-down wedding cake shaped and depicted on charts with two bold magenta rings along with numbers indicating the airspace floor and ceiling within each ring.



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Class C airspace is designed to establish and maintain safe separation of mixed general aviation and airline traffic. It is usually upside-down wedding cake shaped and depicted on charts with two bold magenta rings along with numbers indicating the airspace floor and ceiling within each ring.

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Class C airspace is used around airports with a moderate traffic level. Class D is used for smaller airports that have a control tower. The U.S. uses a modified version of the ICAO class C and D airspace, where only radio contact with ATC rather than an ATC clearance is required for VFR operations.

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Class B airspace surrounds the busiest airports from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL. The dimensions of Class B airspace vary depending on the needs of the airport. Class C airspace extends from the surface to 4,000 feet MSL.

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Can we fly over it? Technically yes, BUT it's still a very bad idea because a motor out would force you to descend through the Class C airspace. We CAN'T fly here without special permission from ATC. Permission should be obtained in advance by telephone (some controllers will accept a radio call).

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Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport of a Class C airspace area at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph).

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The approval needed to enter Class C airspace is like Class D in that you do not need a specific clearance, but you do need to establish two-way communication with control. To be able to enter Class C airspace, a pilot must contact ATC prior to arrival.

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There are two categories of airspace or airspace areas: Regulatory (Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, restricted and prohibited areas). Nonregulatory (military operations areas [MOA], warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing areas [CFA], and national security areas [NSA]).

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To enter Class C airspace, all aircraft must meet the following requirements:
  • Two-way radio.
  • Mode-C transponder.
  • ADS-B Out device.
  • Establishment of two-way communication with the airspace controller.
  • Follow speed restrictions.


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Since Class D is controlled airspace all the way to the surface, you can't fly VFR when the ceiling (a broken or overcast cloud layer) is less than 1000' AGL (FAR 91.155 (c)), or when the visibility is less than 3 SM.

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Light Blue = Class D controlled airspace Class D airspace is generally airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower.

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The Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 91.119 indicates that, except when necessary for departure or landing, the minimum altitude over urban areas is 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) and 500 feet AGL over rural areas.

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§ 91.117 Aircraft speed. (b) Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport of a Class C or Class D airspace area at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph.).

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If you are receiving flight following, you are automatically cleared to enter the outer ring of a TFR and to enter Class C or D airspace. However, there is one circumstance that flight following will not protect you from, and that is flying into Class B airspace.

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While you don't need an operable transponder to fly below a Class C shelf, you will need one to fly above Class C airspace. As you approach a Class C airport, you'll contact that airspace's approach control. Call ATC on the radio before you're in Class C airspace and make sure to tell them: Your position.

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Class G airspace includes all airspace below 14,500 feet (4,400 m) MSL not otherwise classified as controlled. There are no entry or clearance requirements for class G airspace, even for IFR operations.

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For the purpose of clarification: Class A airspace is more restrictive than Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, or Class G airspace. Class B airspace is more restrictive than Class C, Class D, Class E, or Class G airspace.

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Airlines, student pilots, corporate jets, and weekend fliers all share Class C Airspace. While you may not need a clearance to enter it, there are a few things you should know...

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