What is the airspace when the tower is closed?

At some airports that have part-time control towers, the Class D surface airspace becomes a Class E Surface Area during the hours the tower is closed. At other airports, the Class D airspace becomes Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.



When a part-time control tower at a Class D airport closes for the night, the airspace typically reverts to either Class E surface area or Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. This transition is critical for pilots to understand, as it changes the weather minimums required for flight and the communication procedures. If it becomes Class E to the surface, pilots still have some level of regulatory protection for instrument approaches, but they must communicate their intentions on a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). If it reverts to Class G, the airspace is essentially uncontrolled up to the base of the overlying Class E (usually 700 or 1,200 feet). In 2026, pilots are trained to check the Chart Supplement (formerly AFD) to confirm exactly what the airspace "reverts" to, as it varies from one airport to another based on local safety needs.

People Also Ask

The CTAF is clearly labeled on aeronautical charts for every airport. It's shown with a C in a solid circle appearing after the CT (Control Tower), UNICOM, or MULTICOM frequency. At towered airports, the CTAF will be listed because it is used after a part-time tower closes for the night.

MORE DETAILS

When the airport closes, we call the area control centre responsible for the surrounding airspace, and they take over responsibility. In addition, the control zone and TMA actually seize to exist when local ATC is closed, so they both become class G airspace.

MORE DETAILS

Many Class C airspaces do not have a full-time tower and the airspace reverts to Class E or G when the tower is closed.

MORE DETAILS

The two categories of airspace are: regulatory and nonregulatory. Within these two categories, there are four types: controlled, uncontrolled, special use, and other airspace.

MORE DETAILS

General. Class G airspace (uncontrolled) is that portion of airspace that has not been designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace. VFR Requirements. Rules governing VFR flight have been adopted to assist the pilot in meeting the responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft.

MORE DETAILS

At some airports that have part-time control towers, the Class D surface airspace becomes a Class E Surface Area during the hours the tower is closed. At other airports, the Class D airspace becomes Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.

MORE DETAILS

Temporary towers sometimes appear for big events in Class E and G airspaces.

MORE DETAILS

Class D airspace is most often found starting at the surface and extending up to and including 2,500 feet within a radius of 5 statute miles from the primary airport.

MORE DETAILS

Pilots use a CTAF to communicate with each other and coordinate their movements. UNICOM, on the other hand, is more like a customer service desk at the airport. It's a radio frequency that pilots use to talk to airport staff, usually at small airports.

MORE DETAILS

In class E airspace, IFR aircraft are controlled by ATC. This might be a center facility (Air Route Traffic Control Center) or approach/departure facility. As a VFR aircraft, you aren't required to be in contact with ATC, but IFR aircraft must operate on an ATC clearance. That means the airspace is controlled.

MORE DETAILS

(a) No person may operate an airplane under VFR in uncontrolled airspace when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet unless flight visibility is at least 2 miles. (2) At night—1 mile.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS