What is upper limit Class E airspace?

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).



In the United States, Class E airspace has two distinct layers. The primary layer extends from the floor (often 700 or 1,200 feet AGL) up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL, which is where Class A airspace begins. However, Class E also exists above Flight Level 600 (60,000 feet). This means the "upper limit" of the lower Class E layer is 17,999 feet MSL, while the upper Class E layer has no defined ceiling, essentially extending to the edge of the atmosphere. In 2026, the FAA is increasingly focusing on "Upper Class E Traffic Management" (ETM) to coordinate high-altitude operations for balloons, supersonic jets, and high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft that operate above FL600. While Class E is controlled airspace, VFR pilots do not need a specific clearance to enter it, though they must adhere to specific weather minimums and equipment requirements, such as ADS-B Out in certain designated areas.

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Identifying the ceiling of Class E airspace is easy, since it always ends at 17,999' MSL, with Class A airspace above (and then starts again at FL600/60,000' if you're out joyriding in an SR-71).

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Class E airspace is controlled airspace that is designated to serve a variety of terminal or en route purposes.

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Sometimes Class E airspace goes all the way down to the surface of the ground. This is called Class E surface area.

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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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On a map, Class G's ceiling is the floor of Class E airspace. And, it's always exclusive. For example, if Class E starts at 700 feet AGL, Class G goes up to, but doesn't include, 700 feet AGL. Class G airspace is most easily found on a sectional map when a fading, thick blue line appears.

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Class E airspace has no requirements for communication when flying VFR. You only have to maintain two-way communication in Class E airspace when flying IFR.

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Class E. Class E airspace is for IFR and VFR use. IFR aircraft require ATC clearance and compliance with ATC instructions is mandatory for separation purposes. VFR traffic does not require clearance to enter class E airspace.

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Class E Airspace, indicated by the faded magenta line. Most of the airspace in The United States is Class E airspace. Class E airspace extends from 1,200 feet AGL to 17,999 feet MSL (18,000 feet is the floor of Class A airspace). Class E airspace can also extends down to the surface or 700 feet AGL.

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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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