Airspace

> Part 1 of 6

Course Dashboard

Airspace Access Requirements

Regulation Permissions & Requirements to fly in Class

Airspace Class Regulation Distinctions

Introduction

The following are the 4 main areas you’ll consider when determining if it is legal, or how to be legal, when flying in certain airspace classes.

  • Control Tower Presence? Is the airspace controlled or uncontrolled with a tower present?
  • ATC Authorization Requirement? Do you need ATC clearance to enter the airspace class?
  • Specialized Equipment Required? Are you required to have ADS-B, transponders, or other tech?
  • Airspace Surface and Ceiling Regulations? How high and wide does the airspace extend before it transitions into another class?

Depending on the class, such as at busy, high-traffic Class B and C airports, a lot of authorization is required. On the other hand, class G, you’ll find has the least amount.

Lesson Breakdown

  • In part 1 of this lesson, we’ll break down what each of these means.
  • In Part 2, we’ll go class-by-class with what’s required for each.

Detailed Breakout

1. Control Tower Presence

An airport control tower is a tall, centrally located structure, often featuring a glass-enclosed top level (visual control room), where air traffic controllers monitor and direct the safe, orderly movement of aircraft and vehicles on the ground (taxiways/runways) and in the immediate surrounding airspace

There are two types of airspaces, towered and untowered:

  • Controlled Airspace (Towered)
    • Controlled airspace is regulated by ATC, meaning you must get airspace authorization before entering, including as a drone pilot.
  • Uncontrolled Airspace (Untowered)
    • Uncontrolled airspace does not have ATC supervision, which means you don’t need prior permission to fly there. This is typically the case for more rural or less densely populated areas. In these areas, drones can be flown without needing to request clearance from ATC.

2. ATC Authorization Required


In certain airspace classes, especially around busy airports or in controlled areas, you’ll be required to have a permission from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to fly in the airspace.

ATC gives clearance to enter, instructions during your flight, and facilitates safe separation from other aircraft.

In less regulated, uncontrolled airspace, like Class G, you won’t need ATC permission because there’s no ATC oversight.

3. Specialized Equipment Required

In some airspaces, manned aircraft are required to have the following specific equipment:

  • Mode C transponder – sends the aircraft’s ID to Air Traffic Control
  • ADS-B Out – broadcasts the aircraft’s altitude and position
  • Altimeter – measures altitude

These systems are primarily for larger, manned aircraft or certain situations, and most recreational or commercial drones flying under typical conditions don’t need them.

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 D, E, & G: Surface and Ceiling

1 / 8

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

2 / 8

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

3 / 8

At what altitude does Class E airspace *end*?

4 / 8

A remote pilot plans to fly near a Class D airport at 10:00 PM. Upon checking the Chart Supplement, the pilot finds the control tower closes at 9:00 PM. What does this mean for the airspace?

5 / 8

Class D airspace is associated with which of the following?

6 / 8

A remote pilot plans to fly at 350 feet AGL in an area where Class E airspace begins at 700 feet AGL. Which statement is correct?

7 / 8

At what altitude does Class G airspace always begin?

8 / 8

A remote pilot is planning a flight in a rural area far from any airport. Which statement best describes the airspace from the surface up to 1,200 feet AGL?

Your score is

The average score is 73%

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