What planes fly in Class A airspace?

The Class A, or Class Alpha category of controlled airspace is the high-altitude enroute airspace for jet and turboprop aircraft. It is the most restrictive airspace category with numerous entry and operational requirements for both pilots and aircraft.



People Also Ask

Private pilots, however, are permitted to fly in every airspace class except for Class A, which requires an instrument rating. Private pilots who do have an instrument rating, however, are allowed to fly in Class A, but they cannot exceed 18,000 feet in altitude.

MORE DETAILS

Here is an interesting bit of knowledge from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to share with your next airline seatmate: You are allowed to fly a 747 with a private pilot certificate. There is no legal requirement to have a certain certificate level to fly a specific type of aircraft.

MORE DETAILS

Requirements to fly in Class A Airspace: An instrument rating and IFR flight plan. An aircraft that is appropriately equipped for instrument flight. DME for operating at and above FL240 (Distance Measuring Equipment, a fancy way of saying GPS or something that tells you how far you are from a VOR / navigational station ...

MORE DETAILS

Because Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark are so close, the Class B airspace for the three airports overlaps. Class B airspace is often described as an upside-down wedding cake (see accompanying picture). The top of the airspace is 7,000 feet above sea level for New York's Class B.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

You must receive official clearance. Also, pilots must hold a minimum of a private pilot certification to enter Class B airspace.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS