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 tower at the field, compared to less busy airports that are in Class G or Class E airspace. Many Class D airports also only have part time control towers that close after a certain time. When the tower closes, the airport stays open, however the type of airspace will change from Class D to Class E or Class G (which type it reverts to will be denoted in the Chart Supplement, formerly referred to as the AFD).
Class D airspace may have more than one airport inside of it. The airport basically in the middle of the Class D ring is referred to as the “primary” airport within the airspace, and it is the airport that has the control tower located on the field. You can actually takeoff from an airport that lies within Class D airspace without getting a takeoff clearance, you simply contact the tower at the primary airport AS SOON AS PRACTICAL after takeoff to let them know you are in their airspace now. The reason they let you do this is because VHF aircraft radios transmit line of sight, and you may not be able to make contact with the control tower until after you are already airborne. An example of an airport lying within Class D airspace is below:
Here you can see Belleville (43G) is inside of the YIP Class D airspace. It is a small grass strip denoted by the open magenta circle, and although it is nearly outside of the Class D airspace, you will need to contact the tower at YIP as soon as practical after takeoff and also when coming back into the Class D airspace to land back at 43G.
There are several “defaults” associated with Class D airspace that can be good to remember.
Class D Defaults:
- Dimensions are often 4nm radius (can vary, but a good rule of thumb is 4nm radius for the “circle” around the airport)
- Standard ceiling of the airspace is 2,500agl (it can be less sometimes when there is other “more important” airspace on top of the Class D airspace
- You must establish “two-way radio communication” with the control tower for the Class D airspace to be “cleared into the airspace”. You do not need to hear the specific words “cleared into Class D airspace” just communication with the Tower where they reply to you with your call-sign and do not tell you to stay out of the airspace.
- Equipment requirements:
- All you need is a two-way radio. It can even just be battery powered if you are flying a super old airplane without electronics. You do not need anything else special to go into Class D airspace.
- Visibility requirements:
- 3sm Visibility
- 500′ below clouds, 2,000′ horizontal clearance from clouds, 1,000′ above clouds
- You can request special VFR that would give you reduced minimums down to
- 1sm visibility and just remaining “clear of clouds” (don’t fly through the clouds)
- Special VFR only can be requested during the day, unless you are instrument rated and the airplane is also instrument equipped, then it can be requested at night too (not like anyone would reasonably want to fly in such poor conditions anyway, but hey, there’s a procedure that allows for it).
Here is an example of other “more important” airspace overlying the Class D airspace:
Here the Class D airspace around Page (FMY) goes up to 1,200′ msl and then the Class C airspace from Southwest Florida International (RSW) takes over and goes from 1,200′ msl to 4,000′ msl.
Flying into Class D Airspace
Check out this video below as an example of what it looks like to depart from a non-towered airport in Class G airspace and fly to and land at a towered airport in Class D airspace. Notice how the radio calls are different, but the same basic structure remains the same of who you are calling, who you are, where you are, and what you want to do. Note: this is a 360 video, you can use the controls in the upper left corner to pan around the cockpit.
Flying From a Class D Airport
Check out the video below to see the steps involved in departing a Class D airport. Take notes on the steps from getting the ATIS, to contacting Ground, and eventually contacting the Tower to Takeoff! note: this is a 360 video, you can use the controls in the upper left corner to pan around the cockpit.
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