Class Alpha Airspace Dimensions:
- Vertically, Class Alpha begins at 18,000' Mean Sea Level (MSL) up to and including FL600 (about 60,000' MSL)
- Horizontally, Class Alpha begins when within 12 Nautical Miles (NM) of the coast in 48 contiguous states and Alaska and designated international airspace beyond 12 NM off the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska within areas of domestic radio navigational signal or ATC radar coverage, and within which domestic procedures apply
- Examples include Santa Barbara Island, Farallon Islands, and airspace south of latitude 25°04;00" North
- Class Alpha airspace does not include the airspace less than 1,500 feet above the surface of the earth and the Alaska Peninsula west of longitude 160°00'00" West
Class Alpha Airspace Depiction:
- Navigation charts omit Class A airspace depictions
Class Alpha Operating Rules & Pilot/Equipment Requirements:
-
VFR Visibility Requirements:
- Each person operating an aircraft in Class A airspace must conduct operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) unless otherwise authorized
- See 14 Code of Federal Regulations (FAR) Section 71.33, Sections 91.167 through 91.193, Sections 91.215 through 91.217, and Sections 91.225 through 91.227
- Each person operating an aircraft in Class A airspace must conduct operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) unless otherwise authorized
-
Entry Requirements:
- IFR Clearance
- IFR flight plan
- IFR equipped aircraft
- Two-way radio communications
- Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, a 91.215
- After January 1, 2020, the applicable Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out equipment specified in 91.225
- If navigating with a VHF Omni-Directional Range (VOR), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) is required above 24,000'
-
Equipment Requirements:
-
Transponder:
-
- Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, when operating within or above Class Bravo airspace, a 91.215 and operable ADS-B Out equipment is required
- After January 1, 2020, the applicable Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out equipment specified in 91.225
-
-
-
Communication Equipment:
- Two-way radio communications with the controlling agency (described below) are required
-
-
Pilot Qualifications:
-
ATC Clearances & Separation
-
ATC Facility:
- Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)
- Also known as "center"
- Example: "Atlanta center"
- An ATC clearance is required before entering class Alpha airspace
- Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)
- Separation standards are applied and provided for all aircraft
- Pilots must change their altimeter setting from the local altimeter to 29.92 when climbing through 18,000 feet
- Setting 29.92 ensures all aircraft flying in Class A airspace have the same altimeter setting and will have proper altitude separation
- Non-Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) separation is 2,000' vertically
- RVSM separation is 1,000' vertically
-
-
Jet & Q Routes:
-
Jet Routes:
- Within the cruise altitudes, there are Jet Routes, or "J" Routes, which are highways in the sky, much the same as Victor routes
- Jet Routes begin at 18,000' MSL and end at Flight Level (FL) 450 (about 45,000')
- The letter "J" precedes a number to label the airway
- Note the range of Jet Routes is less than the dimensions of Class Alpha airspace [Figure 2]
- Limited due to Standard Service Volume (SSV) of ground stations
- Jet routes have no defined width
- A Navigational Aid (NAVAID) on a continuing jet route is NOT part of the segment and is not to be included in your flight plan
-
Q Routes:
- Q Routes are available for use by RNAV-equipped aircraft between 18,000' MSL and FL450 (about 45,000') inclusive, same as J Routes
- Enroute High Altitude Charts depict Q Routes [Figure 2]
- Operation above FL450 (about 45,000') are permitted on a point-to-point basis
- Area navigation (RNAV) routes have been established in both the low-altitude and the high-altitude structures in recent years, depicted on the enroute low and high chart series
- High-altitude RNAV routes are identified with a "Q" prefix (except the Q-routes in the Gulf of Mexico), and low-altitude RNAV routes are identified with a "T" prefix
- RNAV routes and data are depicted in aeronautical blue
- In addition to the published routes, a random RNAV route may be flown under IFR if it is approved by ATC
- Random RNAV routes are direct routes, based on RNAV capability, between waypoints defined in terms of latitude/longitude coordinates, degree-distance fixes, or offsets from established routes/airways at a specified distance and direction
- Radar monitoring by ATC is required on all random RNAV routes
- Approval for these routes requires a radar environment
- Factors that ATC considers in approving random RNAV routes include the capability to provide radar monitoring and compatibility with traffic volume and flow
- ATC will radar monitor each flight; however, navigation on the random RNAV route is the responsibility of the pilot
-
Private Pilot - National Airspace System Airman Certification Standards:
- Applicants must satisfy the requirements of Section I, Task E by exhibiting satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with the National Airspace System (NAS) operating under VFR as a private pilot
- References: 14 CFR parts 71, 91, 93; FAA-H-8083-2; Navigation Charts; AIM
National Airspace System Knowledge:
The applicant must demonstrate an understanding of:-
PA.I.E.K1:
Types of airspace/airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations -
PA.I.E.K2:
Charting symbology -
PA.I.E.K3:
Special use airspace (SUA), special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas
National Airspace System Risk Management:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, encompassing:-
PA.I.E.R1:
Various classes and types of airspace
National Airspace System Skills:
The applicant demonstrates the ability to:-
PA.I.E.S1:
Identify and comply with the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace -
PA.I.E.S2:
Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements -
PA.I.E.S3:
Identify the requirements for operating in SUA or within a TFR. Identify and comply with SATR and SFRA operations, if applicable
Conclusion:
- ATC assigns altitudes based on pressure altitude (synonymous with Flight Level), which means pilots shall set altimeters to the standard of 29.92 inHg
- The use of the standard 29.92 has several implications you must understand
- The only airspace not depicted on sectional charts is Class Alpha airspace
- There is no Class A airspace over Hawaii, and Victor airways has no upper limit in Hawaii
- To learn more about flight planning and navigation tools, check out:
- Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) begins at FL290 and extends up through to include FL410
- Still looking for something? Continue searching:
References:
- Aeronautical Information Manual (3-2-2) Class A Airspace
- Aeronautical Information Manual (5-3-4) Airways and Route Systems
- AeroNav Products - Aeronautical Chart User's Guide
- Federal Aviation Administration Order (7400.9) Airspace Designations and Reporting Points
- Federal Aviation Administration (91.135) Operations in Class A airspace
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.215) ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment and use
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.225) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment and use
- Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary
- Federal Aviation Regulations (Part 71 subpart A) Class A Airspace
- Instrument Flying Handbook (1-2) Airspace Classification
- Sky Vector