From: ron@pilot.njin.net (Ron Natalie)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation
Subject: Alphabet Airpspace
Date: 25 Aug 92 22:00:47 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.


Armchair guide to the new airspace.

Well what's all this lettered airspace stuff?  The FAA is attempting to
"help" us by making the airspace more standard and conform to ICAO
definitions.  Also some ongoing problems with the existing airspace (like
are Airport Traffic Areas controlled airspace?).  This all will take effect
on September 16, 1993.  With small changes, it's just a matter of learning
the new designations of things.

All airspace is being divided into one of six classes (A, B, C, D, E,
and G).  These classes are defined by the services provided and the
requirements for operating within them, rather than why they were
created.  The terms Airport Radar Service Area (ARSA), Control Zone,
Terminal Control Area (TCA) and Airport Traffic Area go away.

Lets start with the new definition of controlled airspace:

	     Controlled airspace means an airspace of defined dimensions
	within which air traffic control service is provided to IFR
	flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace
	classification.
	     Note__Controlled airspace is a generic term that covers
	Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E airspace.

Simple, eh?   Class G is uncontrolled airspace.

Class A is the Positive Control Airspace, Jet Routes and other high
area routes.  As this never shows it's face below 18,000' it doesn't
really bother most pilots.  The same requirements apply as before
(need IFR clearance).

Class B is what everything that is now a TCA will be called.  Other
than that the major change is that VFR traffic in the TCA no longer
needs the old "controlled airspace" cloud clearances.  You just need
to operate clear of clouds.

Class C comprises what are now ARSA's, no change here.  (Still need
VFR controlled airspace cloud clearances).

Class D airspace is a new concept that surrounds all airports with operating
control towers that are not in Class B or Class C airspace.  The size
laterally will be rougly the same as existing control zones (when present)
or airport traffic areas.  The layout wil be altered to try to exclude
secondary airports from the airspace.  The limits will be shown on the
chart as a dashed blue line (similar to the existing control zone depiction,
I presume).  The height will be up to and including an altitude that will
typically be 2,500 feet AGL rounded to the nearest 100 feet (one would
presume the upper limit be marked on the chart similar to TCA/ARSA markings).

The main operational difference is that there used to be an exemption from
the two way communication for airplanes taking off and landing at airports
inside the ATA other than the one with the control tower.  This is no longer
the case.  You must have two-way communication before entering and as soon
as practicable (this is one of those stupid FAA words like certificated)
after take-off.  This is why they are gerrymandering the boundries to try
to exclude some of these fields.

Notice that this establishes controlled airspace for those few airports
that before had control towers but no control zone.

Class E airspace is all the other controlled airspace, including
control zones (for airports without towers), Federal Airways, the
Continental Control Areas, etc...  The only real difference is that
control zones are lumped in with this.  The places where the Class E
airspace goes to the surface (like a control zone) will be shown by
a dashed magenta line.

Class G airspace is everything else.  Nothing changes here except
it's getting harder and harder to find any.  The top of Class G
airspace varies by what's on top of it and may be 700' AGL, 1,200' AGL
1,500' AGL or 14,500' AGL.

The transition plan will bring out new charts with both
the existing and future markings on it between October 16, 1992 and
March 4, 1993.  The charts will lose the old airspace markings between
March 4, 1994 and August 17, 1994

Now you know.