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Class D Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Note: This article does not provide legal advice. Please consult an attorney to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein. Introduction to Class D Airspace Class D is the simplest airspace to understand so we’ll have you through this in just a few minutes. Class D airports need an operational control tower to coordinate airport […]

April 21, 2023/by Kelvin Beecroft

Class C Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Part 107 Test

Note: This article does not provide legal advice. Please consult an attorney to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein. Introduction to Class C Airspace Generally, Class C extends from surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, with its ceiling expressed in hundreds of feet MSL. For example, in the image below 4,200 feet […]

April 21, 2023/by Kelvin Beecroft

Class D Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Part 107 Test

April 21, 2023/by Kelvin Beecroft

Class C Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Part 107 Test

April 21, 2023/by Kelvin Beecroft

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Class D Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Part 107 Test

Note: This article does not provide legal advice. Please consult an attorney to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein.

Introduction to Class D Airspace

Class D is the simplest airspace to understand so we’ll have you through this in just a few minutes.

Class D airports need an operational control tower to coordinate airport operations. Remember this important distinction later when we introduce Class E airspace, which don’t necessarily have an Air Traffic Control Tower.

Class D is unique and easy to identify because its vertical ceiling altitude is marked with a bold, blue-boxed number on the chart. Likewise, its boundaries are indicated by a blue-dashed line.

Generally, Class D extends from surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation, with its ceiling expressed in hundreds of feet MSL. In this example the altitude is [66] or 6,600 feet MSL. If there were a minus ceiling value here it would indicate surface up to but not including that value. It’s an important distinction and you may see a question on the exam using the minus indicator.

Refer to the Sectional Aeronautical Chart found in the Chart Supplement FAA-CT-8080-2H. During the exam you can refer to this chart to remind you of how to identify Class D.

Not Always a Perfect Circle

Class D only has one circular ring to identify its horizontal boundaries. Often that ring will have rectangular shapes extending out or circular shapes cutting in. See the first image in this article for an example. Those are Class D extensions and are designed to protect IFR aircraft on arrival and departure.

Other airspace could modify the Class D airspace as well. Such as when another, typically larger Class B airspace intrudes on Class D boundaries.

How to Fly Your Drone in Class D Airspace

Authorization is required to fly an sUAS within Class D airspace. Until recently a waiver had to be requested, but now you can usually get auto-approval using apps which support LAANC, such as Aloft. From that app’s airspace view you would drop a pin at the desired location and tap on “Get Authorization” to begin the request process. Airspace view shows the maximum altitude that available at each location within the airspace, such as 50′ or 300′ as shown below.

Need More Information?

If you still have questions on airspace check out our Part 107 courses and get certified as a commercial drone pilot.

April 21, 2023/by Kelvin Beecroft

Class C Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Part 107 Test

Note: This article does not provide legal advice. Please consult an attorney to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein.

Introduction to Class C Airspace

Generally, Class C extends from surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation, with its ceiling expressed in hundreds of feet MSL. For example, in the image below 4,200 feet is written as 42. The horizontal radius of the inner shelf generally extends five nautical miles (NM). An outer circle with a ten NM radius extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation.

This upside down wedding cake configuration allows arriving and departing aircraft to remain in Class C airspace while separated from other aircraft.

Class C is indicated by two solid magenta concentric circles. Vertical boundaries are indicated by two bold magenta numbers, one over the other, separated by a bold horizontal line. i.e. 42/SFC or 42/15 as shown in the image below. Altitudes in Class C are inclusive, meaning they go up to and include the indicated altitude.

Not Always a Perfect Circle

The shape of Class C airspace isn’t always circular and may follow the shape of terrain since Class C airports are serviced by radar and therefore limited to radar coverage.

How to Fly Your Drone in Class C Airspace

A remote pilot must receive authorization before operating in Class C airspace. The most likely area of operation would be within the inner circle since it begins at surface level. Since the outer ring begins at 1,200 MSL it’s not likely a drone would be operating in this area.

Prep for the Part 107 Exam

Refer to the Sectional Aeronautical Chart found in the Chart Supplement FAA-CT-8080-2H. During the exam you can refer to this chart to remind you of how to identify Class C.

Need More Information?

If you still have questions on airspace check out our Part 107 courses and get certified as a commercial drone pilot.

April 21, 2023/by Kelvin Beecroft

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Class D Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Class C Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Class D Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Class C Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Class D Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Introduction to Class D Airspace

Not Always a Perfect Circle

How to Fly Your Drone in Class D Airspace

Need More Information?

Class C Airspace for Drone Pilots, Explained

Introduction to Class C Airspace

Not Always a Perfect Circle

How to Fly Your Drone in Class C Airspace

Prep for the Part 107 Exam

Need More Information?

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