Training and Safety Tip: Somebody's watching you
For pilots who begin their flight training at a nontowered field, an exciting step in their progress is flying into controlled airspace and landing at a towered airport. Prior to doing so, in addition to learning the proper phraseology to communicate with air traffic controllers who monitor the airspace, pilots must also learn about the rules governing it.
The most complex airspace is Class B, which surrounds the busiest cities and airports in the country, up to 10,000 feet msl (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and a few others). While those primary airports are off-limits to student pilots, they may fly through the Class B airspace after receiving training specific to that airspace and a logbook endorsement from the instructor. That said, it’s reasonable for a student pilot to earn their private certificate without ever flying into Class B airspace.
Class C airspace also overlays some towered airports, extending from the surface up to 4,000 feet above the ground. Some of these airports would be those serving Tucson, Arizona; San Jose, California; Louisville, Kentucky; and Spokane, Washington. In general, there is a 5-nautical-mile area around the primary airport. An outer circle will include the airspace from 1,200 to 4,000 feet and a diameter of 10 nm. This airspace has radar approach control and the airports within it have IFR approaches. Pilots must establish two-way communication with ATC prior to flying into this airspace. Their aircraft must be equipped with ADS-B Out and a transponder. Class C airspace is not nearly as busy as Class B and provides excellent experience for student pilots.
Lastly, Class D airspace begins at the surface and extends up to 2,500 feet around airports with control towers that could be staffed full- or part-time. (Class D airspace may revert to Class E when the tower is closed.) The airspace’s lateral limits vary, as they are designed to include instrument approaches. Student pilots may fly in this airspace, and the only equipment requirement is two-way radio communication. Communication must be established between the pilot and ATC before the pilot flies into the airspace. There are many more Class D airports in the country than Class B or C, so these are much more accessible as training opportunities for students.
The AOPA Air Safety Institute offers an online course focused on airspace. Chapter 15 of the FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is also an excellent resource.
