Lesson XX

Airspace Access Requirements
(Class by Class)

Now that you know the different airspace classes, let’s look at what’s required to fly in each one.

We’ll go through Class G, E, D, C, and B and explain what you need as a drone pilot—like ATC clearance, special equipment, or communication tools—and how the rules change as the airspace gets more controlled.

Class G

Where drone pilots have the most freedom to operate without needing ATC clearance or specialized equipment.

Control Tower Present?

❌ No:

    • Any airports located in Class G airspace are non-towered and do not have ATC services—so pilots (including drone pilots) are fully responsible for their own situational awareness and separation from other aircraft.

ATC Clearance Required in Class G?

❌ Not required:

  • You do not need Air Traffic Control (ATC) authorization to fly your drone in Class G airspace.

Two Way Radio Required?

❌ Not required:

  • There’s no ATC in uncontrolled airspace, so you don’t need a radio.

Specialized Equipment Required in Class G?

❌ Not required:

  • No ADS-B, no Mode C transponder, no two-way radio. Just your drone and good situational awareness.

Class E

Control Tower Present?

❌ No:

  • Class E is usually non-towered, but still controlled airspace.

ATC Clearance Required for Class E?

 

✅ Required:

    • You do need ATC authorization to fly in Class E.

Two Way Radio Required?

❌ Not required:

    • Manned aircraft need a two-way radio, but drone pilots only need ATC authorization, not a radio.

Specialized Equipment Required for Class E?

❌ Not required:

    • No ADS-B, no Mode C transponder, no two-way radio. Just your drone and good situational awareness.

Class D

Control Tower Present?

✅ Yes.

    • Class D airspace around smaller airports with an active control tower.
      • If the tower closes (like overnight), the airspace will revert to Class E or G, depending on local rules.

ATC Clearance Required for Class D?

✅ Required:

    • Drone pilots must receive ATC authorization before flying in Class D airspace.

Two Way Radio Required?

❌ Not required:

Manned aircraft need a two-way radio, but drone pilots only need ATC authorization, not a radio.

Specialized Equipment Required for Class D?

❌ Not required:

    • No specialized equipment is required for drone pilots flying under Part 107.

Class C

Control Tower Present?

✅ Yes:

    • Class C is a towered airspace surrounding large airports with Air Traffic Control services.

ATC Clearance Required for Class C?

✅ Required:

    • Drone pilots must receive ATC authorization before flying in Class C airspace.

Two Way Radio Required?

✅ Required:

    • Requires two-way radio communication with ATC

Specialized Equipment Required for Class C?

✅ Required:

    • You will need:
      • Mode C transponder (which reports the aircraft’s altitude).
      • Altimeter
      • ADS-B Out equipment.

Class B

Control Tower Present?

✅ Yes:

    • Class B is a towered airspace surrounding major airports with extensive Air Traffic Control services.

ATC Clearance Required for Class B?

✅ Required:

  • Drone pilots must receive ATC authorization before flying in Class D airspace.

Two Way Radio Required?

✅ Required:

  • Requires two-way radio communication with ATC

Specialized Equipment Required for Class B?

✅ Required:

    • You will need:
      • Mode C transponder (which reports the aircraft’s altitude).
      • Altimeter
      • ADS-B Out equipment.

Class D on Sectional Charts

Class D airspace is depicted on sectional charts with a blue dashed line. It typically has a cylindrical shape around the airport, but the exact boundaries are tailored to the airport’s operational needs.

Class E on Sectional Charts

Below is Jamestown Regional Airport (JMS) is situated within two types of Class E airspace.

The area closest to the airport is marked by a dashed magenta line, indicating that Class E airspace starts at the surface and extends up to 700 feet AGL.

Farther out, the shaded magenta line marks where Class E airspace begins at 700 feet AGL.

CHANGE GIF ORDER SO THAT IT’S 1: PLAIN SECTIONAL CHART 2. STARTING AT SURFACE THEN 3. STARTING AT 700 AGL

Practice question (Finish this – do one for each one)

The Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is in what type of airspace?

It is in Class E airspace – dashed magenta line

PRACTICE QUESTION

A blue segmented circle on a Sectional Chart represents which class airspace?

Class D

Class D is always depicted by a blue dashed (segmented) circle. This can also be found in the Sectional Chart legend, as seen below.

According to 14 CFR part 107, how may a remote pilot operate an unmanned aircraft in class C airspace?

A. The remote pilot must have prior authorization from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.

B. The remote pilot must monitor the Air Traffic Control (ATC) frequency from launch to recovery.

C. The remote pilot must contact the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility after launching the unmanned aircraft

Correct Answer: A – The remote pilot must have prior authorization from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.

Description: You will need an airspace waiver. “No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC).”

Click image to expand

(Refer to figure 78) You have been hired to use your small UAS to inspect the railroad tracks from Blencoe (SE of Sioux City) to Onawa. Will ATC authorization be required?

A. Yes, Onawa is in Class D airspace that is designated for an airport.

B. No, your entire flight is in Class G airspace.

C. Yes, you must contact the Onawa control tower to operate within 5 miles of the airport.

Correct Answer: B – No, your entire flight is in Class G airspace.

Description:
In this scenario, ATC (Air Traffic Control) authorization will not be required for the small sUAS inspection of the railroad tracks from Blencoe to Onawa.

The reason is that the entire flight is planned within Class G airspace, which is uncontrolled airspace.

Class G airspace typically extends from the surface to a specified altitude, and in this context, it allows for unmanned aircraft operations without the need for specific ATC authorization.

Operating within Class G airspace simplifies the regulatory requirements for the flight, and as such, ATC authorization is not necessary for this particular mission.

Click image to expand

(Refer to Figure 25, Area 3.) The floor of Class B airspace at Dallas Executive (RBD) is

A. 3,000 feet MSL.

B. at the surface.

C. 3,100 feet MSL

Correct Answer: A. 3,000 feet MSL.

Description:
Look for the fraction in the outer shelf area of Savannah’s airspace. You’ll notice it says 41/13, indicating the ceiling (41) and floor (13) of this Class C airspace in that part of the chart. Remember, they cut two 0s off, so this means 4,100 feet MSL, and 1,300 feet MSL.

We know this is not AGL because AGL is always listed in parentheses.

The 41/13 means that in this specific part of the chart, the ceiling of the Class C airspace is 41,000 feet MSL, and the floor is 1,300 feet MSL.

Click image to expand

(Refer to Figure 20, Area 1.) The Fentress NALF Airport (NFE) is in what type of airspace?

A. Class E.

B. Class G

C. Class C.

Correct Answer: A. Class E.

Description:
You can identify this by observing the dashed magenta line, indicating the presence of Class E airspace at the surface.

According to 14 CFR part 107 the remote pilot in command (PIC) of a small unmanned aircraft planning to operate within Class C airspace

A. must use a visual observer.

B. is required to receive ATC authorization.

C. is required to file a flight plan.

Correct Answer: B. is required to receive ATC authorization

Description:

Why A&B are not the answers:
A. Using a visual observer (VO) is not a universal requirement for all operations within Class C airspace under Part 107.

B. Filing a flight plan is not a requirement for small unmanned aircraft operations within Class C airspace under Part 107. While the PIC should be aware of and follow any local procedures, the specific requirement is to obtain ATC authorization.

Practice Quiz

Airspace Classes D, E, G

1 / 12

How is Class D airspace depicted on sectional charts?

2 / 12

What is typically the ceiling of Class D airspace?

3 / 12

What happens to Class D airspace when the control tower is closed (such as during nighttime operations or off-hours)?

4 / 12

Is specialized equipment, like an ADS-B transponder, mandatory in Class D airspace?

5 / 12

What type of communication is required before entering Class D airspace?

6 / 12

What is required for flying in Class E airspace?

7 / 12

How is Class E airspace that starts at the surface depicted on sectional charts?

8 / 12

How is Class E airspace that starts at the 700 ft AGL depicted on sectional charts?

9 / 12

What is true about communication requirements in Class G airspace?

10 / 12

What is a characteristic of Class G airspace?

11 / 12

What specialized equipment is required for operations in Class G airspace?

12 / 12

What happens when Class G airspace transitions as you go higher?

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