General (2024)

Section 1. General

General
1. There are two categories of airspace or airspace areas:
  1. Regulatory (Class A, B, C, D and E airspace areas, restricted and prohibited areas); and
  2. Nonregulatory (military operations areas [MOA], warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing areas [CFA], and national security areas [NSA]).
    NOTE-
    See Also
    14 CFR § 91.119 - Minimum safe altitudes: General.VFR on Top | SKYbrary Aviation Safety Weather for Pilots How To Use A 'VFR-On-Top' Clearance
    Additional information on special use airspace (prohibited areas, restricted areas [permanent or temporary], warning areas, MOAs [permanent or temporary], alert areas, CFAs, and NSAs) may be found in Chapter 3, Airspace, Section 4, Special Use Airspace, paragraphs 3-4-1 through 3-4-8.
2. Within these two categories, there are four types:
  1. Controlled,
  2. Uncontrolled,
  3. Special use, and
  4. Other airspace.
3. The categories and types of airspace are dictated by:
  1. The complexity or density of aircraft movements,
  2. The nature of the operations conducted within the airspace,
  3. The level of safety required, and
  4. The national and public interest.
4. It is important that pilots be familiar with the operational requirements for each of the various types or classes of airspace. Subsequent sections will cover each class in sufficient detail to facilitate understanding.
General Dimensions of Airspace Segments
Refer to Title 14 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for specific dimensions, exceptions, geographical areas covered, exclusions, specific transponder/ADS-B or other equipment requirements, and flight operations.
Hierarchy of Overlapping Airspace Designations
1. When overlapping airspace designations apply to the same airspace, the operating rules associated with the more restrictive airspace designation apply.
2. For the purpose of clarification:
  1. Class A airspace is more restrictive than Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, or Class G airspace;
  2. Class B airspace is more restrictive than Class C, Class D, Class E, or Class G airspace;
  3. Class C airspace is more restrictive than Class D, Class E, or Class G airspace;
  4. Class D airspace is more restrictive than Class E or Class G airspace; and
  5. Class E is more restrictive than Class G airspace.

Basic VFR Weather Minimums

No person may operate an aircraft under basic VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and class of airspace. (See TBL 3-1-1.)
NOTE-
Student pilots must comply with 14 CFR Section 61.89(a) (6) and (7).
See Also
VFR‐On‐Top

Except as provided in 14 CFR Section 91.157, Special VFR Weather Minimums, no person may operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface for an airport when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet. (See 14 CFR Section 91.155(c).)TBL 3-1-1
Basic VFR Weather Minimums

Airspace	Flight Visibility	Distance from Clouds
Class A	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Class B	3 statute miles	Clear of Clouds
Class C	3 statute miles	500 feet below 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet horizontal
Class D	3 statute miles	500 feet below 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet horizontal
Class E Less than 10,000 feet MSL	3 statute miles	500 feet below 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet horizontal
At or above 10,000 feet MSL	5 statute miles	1,000 feet below 1,000 feet above 1 statute mile horizontal
Class G 1,200 feet or less above the surface (regardless of MSL altitude).
For aircraft other than helicopters:
Day, except as provided in §91.155(b)	1 statute mile	Clear of clouds
Night, except as provided in §91.155(b)	3 statute miles	500 feet below 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet horizontal
For helicopters:
Day	½ statute mile	Clear of clouds
Night, except as provided in §91.155(b)	1 statute mile	Clear of clouds
More than 1,200 feet above the surface but less than 10,000 feet MSL.
Day	1 statute mile	500 feet below 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet horizontal
Night	3 statute miles	500 feet below 1,000 feet above 2,000 feet horizontal
More than 1,200 feet above the surface and at or above 10,000 feet MSL.	5 statute miles	1,000 feet below 1,000 feet above 1 statute mile horizontal

VFR Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels

(See TBL 3-1-2.)

TBL 3-1-2
VFR Cruising Altitudes and Flight Levels

If your magnetic course (ground track) is:	And you are more than 3,000 feet above the surface but below 18,000 feet MSL, fly:	And you are above 18,000 feet MSL to FL 290, fly:
0^∘to 179^∘	Odd thousands MSL, plus 500 feet (3,500; 5,500; 7,500, etc.)	Odd Flight Levels plus 500 feet (FL 195; FL 215; FL 235, etc.)
180^∘ to 359^∘	Even thousands MSL, plus 500 feet (4,500; 6,500; 8,500, etc.)	Even Flight Levels plus 500 feet (FL 185; FL 205; FL 225, etc.)