AIM

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Controlled Airspace

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6. Class E Airspace

a. Definition.

Generally, if the airspace is not

Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D, and it is

controlled airspace, it is Class E airspace.

b. Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment

Requirements:

1. Pilot Certification.

No specific certifica-

tion required.

2. Equipment.

No specific equipment

required by the airspace.

3. Arrival or Through Flight Entry Require-

ments.

No specific requirements.

c. Charts.

Class E airspace below 14,500 feet

MSL is charted on Sectional, Terminal, and IFR

Enroute Low Altitude charts.

d. Vertical limits.

Except for 18,000 feet MSL,

Class E airspace has no defined vertical limit but

rather it extends upward from either the surface or a

designated altitude to the overlying or adjacent

controlled airspace.

e. Types of Class E Airspace:

1. Surface area designated for an air-

port.

When designated as a surface area for an

airport, the airspace will be configured to contain all

instrument procedures.

2. Extension to a surface area.

There are

Class E airspace areas that serve as extensions to

Class B, Class C, and Class D surface areas

designated for an airport. Such airspace provides

controlled airspace to contain standard instrument

approach procedures without imposing a commu-

nications requirement on pilots operating under VFR.

3. Airspace used for transition.

There are

Class E airspace areas beginning at either 700 or

1,200 feet AGL used to transition to/from the

terminal or en route environment.

4. En Route Domestic Areas.

There are

Class E airspace areas that extend upward from a

specified altitude and are en route domestic airspace

areas that provide controlled airspace in those areas

where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route

ATC services but the Federal airway system is

inadequate.

5. Federal Airways.

The Federal airways are

Class E airspace areas and, unless otherwise

specified, extend upward from 1,200 feet to, but not

including, 18,000 feet MSL. The colored airways are

green, red, amber, and blue. The VOR airways are

classified as Domestic, Alaskan, and Hawaiian.

6. Offshore Airspace Areas.

There are

Class E airspace areas that extend upward from a

specified altitude to, but not including, 18,000 feet

MSL and are designated as offshore airspace areas.

These areas provide controlled airspace beyond

12 miles from the coast of the U.S. in those areas

where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route

ATC services and within which the U.S. is applying

domestic procedures.

7.

Unless designated at a lower altitude, Class E

airspace begins at 14,500 feet MSL to, but not

including, 18,000 feet MSL overlying: the 48 contig-

uous States including the waters within 12 miles from

the coast of the 48 contiguous States; the District of

Columbia; Alaska, including the waters within

12 miles from the coast of Alaska, and that airspace

above FL 600; excluding the Alaska peninsula west

of long. 160

_00’00’’W, and the airspace below

1,500 feet above the surface of the earth unless

specifically so designated.

f. Separation for VFR Aircraft.

No separation

services are provided to VFR aircraft.