Hey Charlie, there’s some airspace up ahead Yes, there is, and it’s fairly straightforward and simple airspace at that. Not only are the dimension of Class C airspace easy to understand, it is also easy to enter. The Requirements to Enter: Transponder Two-way radio communication (usually by first calling approach control) Establish communication with approach… Continue reading Class C Airspace
Topic Category: Student Pilot
Class B Airspace
Class B, the busy stuff To make sense of this complicated cake, let’s build it from the ground up! At a Class B airport, you have Ground Control, just like you would at a Class C or Class D airport. Ground control issues taxi clearances. You have Tower Control, same as any other towered airport. … Continue reading Class B Airspace
Class A Airspace
Class A, that’s high eh? Class A airspace is a fairly straight forward type of airspace to understand, it covers the entire globe, from 18,000′ msl or FL180 (flight level 180) up to and including FL600 (or 60,000′ msl). Requirements: You need a Altitude encoding transponder An instrument rating and be on an IFR flight… Continue reading Class A Airspace
Class G Airspace
Gee, I see lots of Airspace! Yes, I bet you do. It’s simpler than you think however. Remember that airspace comes in layers, we’ll go ahead and start building it from the ground up explaining each layer one at a time. Class Gulf When it comes to Class G, think “G” for Ground. Class G… Continue reading Class G Airspace
Class E Airspace
The Everywhere Airspace Echo airspace is the most common type of airspace you will encounter, no matter where it is you fly in the country. You will find Echo airspace below 18.000′ msl everywhere that either Class B, C, D, or G airspace does not occupy. Echo airspace is controlled airspace, but does not typically… Continue reading Class E Airspace
Class D Airspace
The real “Controlled” Controlled Airspace Class D airspace is controlled and also has a control tower for the corresponding airport that will issue clearances to aircraft to taxi, takeoff, and land. The difference between a Class D airport and other airports is that it may be just slightly busy enough to warrant having a control… Continue reading Class D Airspace
Forward Slips and Side Slips
Boy, that’s a slippery subject! Actually, not really. Forward slips and side slips are relatively easy maneuvers to practice and learn, and while they may feel uncomfortable at first, after some getting used to with your instructor and practicing these at a safe and high altitude, you’ll become familiar and comfortable with what the proper… Continue reading Forward Slips and Side Slips
Soft Field Takeoff
Soft Field Takeoff Super soft ah!!! Well in this particular case, a soft field isn’t really a good thing. A true soft field (soft sand, muddy grass field in spring-time, etc.) robs a lot of power from your airplane and makes it take far longer to accelerate to takeoff speed than it would if it… Continue reading Soft Field Takeoff
Short Field Landing
Short Field Landing The idea here it to clear an imaginary (or real) 50′ obstacle and then land on a very “short” runway. You will in reality be practicing this on a runway probably 4,000’+ long and not have any real obstacle to contend with. Your job will be to simulate the runway is only… Continue reading Short Field Landing
Short Field Takeoff
Short Field Takeoff The purpose of a short field takeoff is to get the airplane off the ground and high enough to clear a 50′ obstacle in the shortest distance required. Now not all obstacles are created equally (and not all are 50′ tall), however you will commonly hear this 50′ height used in aviation… Continue reading Short Field Takeoff