Why would an airport have a Class C designation?

Class C – Airspace around commercial airports that are less congested than the Class B airports. MacArthur Airport has Class C airspace. Class C typically has two rings, one from the ground to 4,000 feet above ground level (AGL) and above the airport and the outer ring from 1,500 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport.



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Class C airspace areas are designed to improve aviation safety by reducing the risk of mid-air collisions in the terminal area and enhance the management of air traffic operations therein. Aircraft operating in these airspace areas are subject to certain operating rules and equipment requirements.

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The ceiling of a Class C airspace should be 4,000 feet above the primary airport's field elevation. The surface area extends from the surface to the upper limit of the airspace. The floor of the airspace between the 5 and the 10 NM must extend from no lower than 1,200 feet AGL to the upper limit of the airspace.

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Most Class C airports are home to flight schools and small aircraft hangars as well as scheduled service by airlines. While still busy, Class C airports have less traffic than Class B, so ATC doesn't need as much space to keep them organized. Like Class B, approach control services are provided.

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Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a 5 NM radius core surface area that extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, and a 10 NM radius shelf area that extends no lower than 1,200 feet up to 4,000 feet above the ...

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Class C Arrival If you are not receiving flight following, around 20NM from the airport and prior to entering Class C airspace contact approach control on the frequency listed on your VFR chart. On initial contact you should provide your callsign, location, altitude, request, and the ATIS code.

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Like most controlled airspace, ALL pilots must notify and receive approval from the FAA to fly in Class C airspace. Pilots must also follow the necessary procedure to receive permission. Approval cannot be granted by control towers individually; the request must be sent using one of two methods.

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Class C Airspace Class C is labeled on a VFR sectional chart using solid magenta lines. IFR/VFR: Both. To operate VFR inside Class C, visibility must be greater than 3 statute miles and a pilot cannot fly any closer to the clouds than 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontally.

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Class C Airspace (Mandatory Radar) A shelf area with an outer radius of 10 nautical miles surrounds the core area. It extends from 1200 feet AGL to 4000 feet AGL. The airspace is depicted on charts as 2 concentric magenta circles. For example, an airport with a surface altitude of 500 feet MSL is depicted above.

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Larger countries may have an initial letter dedicated to them, for example, Canadian airport codes start with “C.” Montreal/Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport would be CYUL–the “C” is for Canada, and “YUL” is the specific airport code.

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The airspace around the busiest US airports is classified as ICAO Class B, and the primary airport (one or more) for which this airspace is designated is called Class B airport. As of January 2023, there are 37 Class B airports in the United States.

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The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a system for categorizing public-use airports (along with heliports and other aviation bases) that is primarily based on the level of commercial passenger traffic through each facility.

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Class Delta (also referred to as Class D) Airspace areas established around airports that have an Air Traffic Control Tower but do not provide radar services. Containing an Air Traffic Control Tower, Class D airspace areas provide services to pilots.

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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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Class C airspace never requires a separate clearance. If you are in two-way communications with the controlling facility, you satisfy the requirements for authorization through Class C airspace. Class D transitions are the sticky point.

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Class C: This is the controlled airspace above 7,500 feet and surrounding major airports. Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted and both require ATC clearance and separation service is to be provided by ATC. Class G: This airspace is uncontrolled.

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