Questions tagged [class-d-airspace]

Class D airspace is generally airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower.

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4 votes
3 answers
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Do civilian aircraft transiting through controlled airspace designated for military airports typically talk to the tower of that airport? (USA)

The general point of this question is to understand how civilian aircraft operate around controlled airspace designated for military airports, in terms of communications, in the US. I think the best ...
4 votes
2 answers
841 views

With radio not working, why it is more important to stay away from exactly class D airspace?

The instructions how to land when the radio is no longer working state as the first item "stay away from the class D airspace". Why is the class D specifically mentioned in these instructions? How it ...
0 votes
1 answer
88 views

Why are there different bracket shapes to Class D airspace?

A Class D airspace ceiling is typically depicted with a two digit number surrounded by four brackets depicted below. Why do some Class D airspaces have the same four brackets, with four additional ...
3 votes
1 answer
301 views

Does this chart show a heliport in class D airspace without a control tower?

I was looking at the Los Angeles area on sky vector, and I noticed a tiny little triangular class D area right next to LAX. It shows that the height of the class D goes up to 2,500, but I couldn't see ...
2 votes
1 answer
307 views

Class D under Class C but through another Class D?

New Pilot here, just planning a VFR trip to KGMU but not sure of the transition rules here. I know flight following will take care of the Class C but who do I need to talk to about the other Class D? ...
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Bottom of class C vs top of class D

When a top of class D ([45] on the chart below) conflicts with bottom of class C (37) which prevails?
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

How can I legally land VFR in class D airspace with low and few clouds?

This question is a bit specific because it applies to an actual situation I'm observing for a flight I'm looking to make tomorrow. I'm a Non-IFR rated pilot looking to fly class D airspace. My ...
1 vote
1 answer
1k views

VFR through Class C to land at Class D (located within Class C)

Student pilot (US) here prepping for long solo XC. I'll be landing at a Class D airport (KSCH) within Class C airspace (KALB). I have a few questions regarding procedure and what is appropriate for ...
8 votes
1 answer
730 views

How does an airspace class change from E to D affect already airborne aircraft?

In the US, there are some airports with a part-time tower. When the tower is in operation, the airspace around the airport is class D and requires communication with the tower. When the tower is ...
5 votes
1 answer
788 views

Who to contact when inbound to adjoining class deltas?

Given two class delta airports that share a boundary, say you wanted to transition through one to land at the other. Who would you call first? The transitioning controller, or the destination ...
11 votes
4 answers
3k views

Why does entry into Class B specifically require clearance?

Entering Class B airspace requires an explicit clearance. Entering Class C or Class D airspace requires only establishing two-way communications, upon which the pilot can still be explicitly refused ...
0 votes
1 answer
602 views

How to sightsee in Class C and D airspaces?

There's a good explanation of procedures for Class B, all of which makes sense since pilots need specific clearance to enter Class B: How do I "sightsee" in a class Bravo airspace?? However, ...
8 votes
4 answers
915 views

Why does the ATIS say "read back all instructions"?

Whenever I'm at a class D, I'm always confused as to why the ATIS says "read back all runway assignments and hold short instructions." Isn't that just a given? It seems redundant and it ...
9 votes
3 answers
15k views

How should I operate within the dashed magenta lines next to Class D airspace?

I am unsure of how to operate within this area (red dashed line) without connection to ATC. It appears to come off of class D airspace. Can anyone provide an explanation of what this area is and how ...
1 vote
1 answer
147 views

Are weather-reporting requirements for an airport in Class D airspace more stringent than for an airport in surface-level Class E airspace?

In the US, are weather-reporting requirements for an airport in Class D airspace more stringent than for an airport in surface-level Class E airspace? Are there other requirements that would cause an ...
15 votes
5 answers
10k views

Is it required to contact approach when flying VFR into a Class D airfield?

Is it required when under VFR to contact an airfield's approach when approaching to land at a class D? KDLH is my example airfield. They possess independent radar approach and departure (same ...
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

When is this Class D airspace not Class D airspace?

The Terminal Area Chart (TAC) shows the Class D airspace for Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) view the full TAC. I have highlighted in green the north and south portions of the Class D ...
2 votes
1 answer
587 views

Why do VFR-flights need a clearance in class D airspace?

I ask myself why VFR-traffic has to get ATC-clearances in class D airspace, because as far as I know, ATC doesn’t provide separation for VFR-traffic in this airspace class... So why for example is a ...
3 votes
1 answer
754 views

Is there a 'common courtesy' distance that should be complied with when initiating contact with ATC for class D airspace?

Some background: I'm a student pilot preparing for an upcoming stage check involving XC diversions and have been trying to visualize different scenarios of what I'd need to do when diverting. One case ...
1 vote
3 answers
359 views

Need communication example departing and arriving uncontrolled airport within class D

I'm looking for a communication pattern to depart and arrive an uncontrolled airport within class D airspace VFR. One example can be F69 which is within KADS. This case looks even trickier because ...
21 votes
3 answers
8k views

Why does Class D overlap class B around SeaTac? ...and other Seattle Bravo airspace strangeness

I noticed KBFI's class delta overlaps SeaTac's bravo by 500 to 700 feet. Does anyone know which tower the overlapping airspace belongs to? Does it classify as Bravo airspace and do you need to hear ...
7 votes
3 answers
515 views

How to fly a drone in Class D in Italy?

I am traveling for a wedding which will take place in Monza Park, Italy. According to Italian Airspace Pro, the location I would like to fly, the southern half of the park, is technically in Class D ...
3 votes
2 answers
304 views

What is the top altitude of the class delta KEDC? It looks like it's not depicted on the VFR sectional chart

Can someone tell me what I'm missing? I usually see a [-#] that denotes the airspace above a class delta. I believe KEDC (Austin Executive) is a class delta based on the chart supplement. Attached is ...
3 votes
2 answers
746 views

Is the Tower (Local) Controller responsible for "separating" VFR traffic in the pattern in the U.S. in Class D airspace?

For example, in U.S. Class D airspace, if an inbound aircraft operating VFR is instructed by the Control Tower to "enter left downwind for runway 18, report entering downwind," is the controller ...
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Where does the Olive Branch (KOLV) class D ceiling meet the Memphis (KMEM) class B floor?

I'm having an internal debate on interpreting the Class D ceiling in part of the the Memphis TAC. My understanding was in the case of a Class D under a Class B shelf, the ceiling of the Class D ends ...
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

What are the lateral limits of Class D airspace in the USA?

Class D airspace was normally 5sm (4.4nm) with extensions for approaches, when they are less than 2nm. If any extension is over 2nm, then the extensions are normally Class E. Many publications claim ...
4 votes
1 answer
309 views

What's the north boundary of the KINS Class D? (Or: does a SUA designation take precedence over controlled airspace?)

This is inspired by the question regarding aerobatics over a surface class D area. KINS (Creech AFB) sits right outside the south boundary of the Nellis Range Complex (R4806W to be precise). ...
1 vote
0 answers
99 views

What is the criteria for determining whether an airport will be towered or uncontrolled? [duplicate]

I thought about this in reference to the question about Schamburg Airport in Chicago. Is there a particular criteria for an airport, for instance the amount of instrument traffic going into and out ...
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is the airspace at KGPT class E or G when the tower is closed?

I'm a bit new to airspace and I'm trying to figure out if the airspace around Gulfport-Biloxi International (KGPT) changes to class G or E when the tower closes. Looking at KGPT's airspace on a ...
2 votes
0 answers
510 views

When is Class Delta Airspace not Class Delta?

Although there could be many examples, I'm using the KLCQ airport in this case. This is how the airspace stands: In the CHART Supplement, it is mentioned that it's a "Class D svc other times class E"....
14 votes
2 answers
7k views

What is the proper procedure for leaving class D airspace?

So one thing that always struck me as kind of odd was when you depart a class D tower (VFR) and you get your departure instructions, that's kind of ... it. You just go on your merry way and switch off ...
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

When departing from a class C or D airfield, what is the proper VFR procedure?

Specifically, when is it legal to turn to your on-course heading? I find that sometimes the tower will give me an instruction to "turn on course" but sometimes they don't. Are you supposed to stay on ...