AIM

8/15/19

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General

Chapter 3. Airspace

Section 1. General

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1. General

a.

There are two categories of airspace or airspace

areas:

1.

Regulatory (Class A, B, C, D and E airspace

areas, restricted and prohibited areas); and

2.

Nonregulatory (military operations areas

[MOA], warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing
areas [CFA], and national security areas [NSA]).

NOTE

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Additional information on special use airspace (prohibited
areas, restricted areas [permanent or temporary], warning
areas, MOAs [permanent or temporary], alert areas,
CFAs, and NSAs) may be found in Chapter 3, Airspace,
Section 4,  Special  Use  Airspace,  paragraphs 3

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b.

Within these two categories, there are four

types:

1.

Controlled,

2.

Uncontrolled,

3.

Special use, and

4.

Other airspace.

c.

The categories and types of airspace are dictated

by:

1.

The complexity or density of aircraft

movements,

2.

The nature of the operations conducted

within the airspace,

3.

The level of safety required, and

4.

The national and public interest.

d.

It is important that pilots be familiar with the

operational requirements for each of the various types
or classes of airspace. Subsequent sections will cover
each class in sufficient detail to facilitate
understanding.

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2. General Dimensions of Airspace

Segments

Refer to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for
specific dimensions, exceptions, geographical areas
covered, exclusions, specific transponder or equip-
ment requirements, and flight operations.

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3. Hierarchy of Overlapping Airspace

Designations

a.

When overlapping airspace designations apply

to the same airspace, the operating rules associated
with the more restrictive airspace designation apply.

b.

For the purpose of clarification:

1.

Class A airspace is more restrictive than

Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, or Class G
airspace;

2.

Class B airspace is more restrictive than

Class C, Class D, Class E, or Class G airspace;

3.

Class C airspace is more restrictive than

Class D, Class E, or Class G airspace;

4.

Class D airspace is more restrictive than

Class E or Class G airspace; and

5.

Class E is more restrictive than Class G

airspace.

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4. Basic VFR Weather Minimums

a.

No person may operate an aircraft under basic

VFR when the flight visibility is less, or at a distance
from clouds that is less, than that prescribed for the
corresponding altitude and class of airspace. 
(See TBL 3

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1.)

NOTE

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Student pilots must comply with 14 CFR Section 61.89(a)
(6) and (7).

b.

Except as provided in 14 CFR Section 91.157,

Special VFR Weather Minimums, no person may
operate an aircraft beneath the ceiling under VFR
within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace
designated to the surface for an airport when the
ceiling is less than 1,000 feet.  (See 14 CFR
Section 91.155(c).)