18
votes
Why does entry into Class B specifically require clearance?
The answer has to do with ATC's separation requirements.
In Class D airspace, VFR aircraft are not afforded any kind of separation. Mandatory traffic advisories and safety alerts are provided between ...
- 13.2k
15
votes
Accepted
How can I legally land VFR in class D airspace with low and few clouds?
What is the appropriate way to handle this situation as a pilot?
First, tell tower about the problem. They may be able to assign you a different runway, have you loiter (circle) for a minute or ...
- 6,979
10
votes
How should I operate within the dashed magenta lines next to Class D airspace?
The area inside those lines is class E from the surface.
- 100k
10
votes
Accepted
Bottom of class C vs top of class D
AIM 3-1-3 answers this:
Hierarchy of Overlapping Airspace Designations
When overlapping airspace designations apply to the same airspace, the operating rules associated with the more restrictive ...
- 1,979
9
votes
Why does the ATIS say "read back all instructions"?
Due to the ongoing runway incursion epidemic, US ATC must hear every aircraft read back certain instructions, including callsign. If you don’t read them back correctly, they’re required to repeat the ...
- 27.6k
8
votes
Accepted
How should I operate within the dashed magenta lines next to Class D airspace?
Its an area of Class-E airspace used for Instrument Approach Procedures.
From The Pilot Handbook, Chapter 14, Airspace:
Class D airspace is generally airspace from the surface to
2,500 feet ...
- 36k
8
votes
Accepted
Where does the Olive Branch (KOLV) class D ceiling meet the Memphis (KMEM) class B floor?
The Class D airspace surrounding the Olive Branch airport extends upward to 2900 feet msl, excluding the Class B airspace. So, your understanding is correct.
Here is the official description of ...
- 32.5k
8
votes
Accepted
Why does entry into Class B specifically require clearance?
For a large class B complex, the same approach control frequency may be working aircraft both inside and outside the B, with some of those outside the B in a class C or D.
Establishing communication ...
- 48.8k
7
votes
With radio not working, why it is more important to stay away from exactly class D airspace?
I think you are mis-interpreting the answer, you should remain outside Class-D until the flow of traffic can be acertained. If you lose comms outside of a Class-B or Class-C, you should not enter that ...
- 36k
7
votes
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Who to contact when inbound to adjoining class deltas?
You should contact the tower of the Delta you intend on transitioning through/entering first. Tell them you want to transition through their airspace. If they clear you to enter their airspace you can ...
- 100k
5
votes
Accepted
Does this chart show a heliport in class D airspace without a control tower?
The triangular area you’re referring to is actually the LAX class D airspace.
The heliport itself is uncontrolled. It is not that uncommon for an uncontrolled heliport or airport to be within the ...
- 27.6k
5
votes
What is the top altitude of the class delta KEDC? It looks like it's not depicted on the VFR sectional chart
This looks odd to me.
The supplement (3 Jan 2019) does indicate class D operations:
AIRSPACE: CLASS D svc 1200–0400Z‡ other times CLASS E.
But the current (August 2018) Airspace Designations ...
- 5,551
5
votes
Accepted
What's the north boundary of the KINS Class D? (Or: does a SUA designation take precedence over controlled airspace?)
According to the sectional chart, Class D airspace does not extend into the restricted area.
SkyVector KINS Sectional Chart
The restricted airspace starts at the surface to an unlimited altitude. ...
- 12.2k
5
votes
How can I legally land VFR in class D airspace with low and few clouds?
I agree that SVFR is easiest way to deal with this situation. However, sometimes controllers resist going through trouble of SVFR when its just one or two puffy clouds in the pattern and the reported ...
- 8,532
4
votes
Accepted
How to fly a drone in Class D in Italy?
The class D airspace you are referring to is a control zone (CTR). According to article 24 of Regulation for Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicles, the following applies to VLOS operations (emphasis mine):
...
- 35.7k
4
votes
When is this Class D airspace not Class D airspace?
Great question. The short answer to your question is "Full Time." Ultimately that Class D airspace will be incorporated into the LAX Class B, but there is a lot of red tape involved so step ...
- 8,532
4
votes
Accepted
What are the lateral limits of Class D airspace in the USA?
JO 7400.2L, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters, describes how the size of Class D airspace is determined. Per paragraph 17−2−5. DETERMINING CLASS D AREA
SIZE:
...
- 420
4
votes
Is the airspace at KGPT class E or G when the tower is closed?
To expand a little more on what @rbp said, the VFR Sectional Note is referring to the Class D and Class E (sfc) designations. So, when referring the the Chart Supplement, which says ...
- 163
4
votes
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Is there a 'common courtesy' distance that should be complied with when initiating contact with ATC for class D airspace?
To answer the question in the title, the AIM 4-3-2 says:
When operating at an airport where traffic control is being exercised
by a control tower, pilots are required to maintain two-way radio
...
- 71.5k
4
votes
Accepted
With radio not working, why it is more important to stay away from exactly class D airspace?
The procedure in the linked answer assumes you're VFR. If you're in class A airspace, that means you must be IFR, and there are specific (and somewhat different) procedures for IFR flights that lose ...
- 27.6k
4
votes
Accepted
How to sightsee in Class C and D airspaces?
The answer is the same in theory: you just tell ATC what you want to do, and they either approve it (possibly with some modifications) or deny it. Since all VFR services are on a “workload permitting” ...
- 27.6k
4
votes
Why does entry into Class B specifically require clearance?
Class B is expected to be a busier airspace. The difference between "ATC can deny clearance" and "you must get explicit clearance" is huge in that context.
Typically Class B ...
- 106
4
votes
Why does entry into Class B specifically require clearance?
The difference boils down to the likelihood that you’ll be in the way of IFR traffic—and how easily ATC can solve that problem.
A typical class C or D airport may see only a few hundred (C) or a few ...
- 27.6k
4
votes
VFR through Class C to land at Class D (located within Class C)
First of all, there is no such thing as a Class D airport within Class C airspace. Airspace classes are exclusive; unless there is a cutout in the Class C (which there will be) the C will take ...
- 13.2k
4
votes
Bottom of class C vs top of class D
This is more a “thought exercise” question than one that’s likely to present a real-world quandary. The two controllers are in near constant communication with each other and have probably worked ...
- 3,750
4
votes
Class D under Class C but through another Class D?
On the pilot side the rules are unambiguous. 14 CFR 91.129 (c)(1) requires that you establish two-way communication with "the ATC facility providing air traffic services" before you enter ...
- 13.2k
3
votes
Why do VFR-flights need a clearance in class D airspace?
Because class D is controlled airspace.
While you are correct that VFR-IFR separation is not provided in class D airspace, the major advantage compared to class E airspace is that, because VFR is ...
- 35.7k
3
votes
Is it required to contact approach when flying VFR into a Class D airfield?
Contacting Approach is not required for VFRs unless the D tower’s ATIS says so.
For instance, while you won’t find it on the charts, A/FD or NOTAMs, the ATIS at KADS always says “contact Regional ...
- 27.6k
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