Class Charlie Airspace

Approach Control Service for VFR Arriving Aircraft

• Numerous approach control facilities have established programs for arriving VFR aircraft to contact approach control for landing information, including:
  • Wind;
  • Runway, and;
  • Altimeter setting at the airport of intended landing.
• When the pilot states the appropriate Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) code, ATC will omit information in the ATIS broadcast.
  • The pilot's use of "have numbers" does not indicate receipt of the ATIS broadcast.
  • In addition, the controller will provide traffic advisories on a workload-permitting basis.
• Upon initial contact with the concerned approach control facility, such information will be furnished..
  • ATC will instruct the pilot to change the tower frequency at a predetermined time or point to receive further landing information.
• Where available, this procedure will not hinder the operation of VFR flights by requiring excessive spacing between aircraft or devious routing.
• Compliance with this procedure is not mandatory, but pilot participation is encouraged.
  • Approach control services for VFR aircraft are normally dependent on ATC radar. These services are not available during periods of a radar outage.

Horizontal Limits:

• Class C airspace areas are generally designed as two circles centered around the primary airport. [Figure 1]
  • The inner core has a radius of 5 nautical miles (NM).
  • The shelf area has a radius of 10 NM.
• Solid magenta lines identify the horizontal boundaries of class C airspace.

Vertical Limits:

• The ceiling of a Class C airspace should be 4,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) above the primary airport's field elevation.
  • The inner core spans from the surface to 4000' AGL.
  • The shelf area spans from 1,200' AGL (no lower) to 4,000'.
• Magenta numbers or letters identify the vertical boundaries of class C airspace. [Figure 2]
  • The altitude above the magenta line is the ceiling, while the altitude below is the floor.
• Altitude dimensions are based on AGL but charted in Mean Sea Level (MSL).

Pilot Certification Requirements:

• No specific pilot certification is required, meaning if an aircraft meets the equipment requirements below, anyone from a student and up can operate within Class Charlie Airspace.

VFR Visibility Requirements:

• If the pilot is operating under VFR, then they must have at least 3 Statue Miles visibility and be able to maintain 500' below, 1,000' above, and 2,000' horizontal of any clouds.

Equipment:

1. Transponder:

   • Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, when operating within or above Class Charlie airspace, a transponder in compliance with 91.215 and operable Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment is required.
   • When below Class Charlie airspace, a transponder is not required as it is for Class Bravo.

   • 

2. Communication Equipment:

   • Radios are required to maintain two-way radio communications with the controlling agency (described below).

Aircraft Separation:

• ATC provides separation within the Class C airspace and the outer area after establishing two-way radio communications and radar contact.
• ATC separates IFR from VFR aircraft at all times.
• VFR aircraft are separated from IFR aircraft within the Class C airspace by any of the following:
  1. Visual separation;
  2. 500' vertical separation or;
  3. Target resolution.
• Wake turbulence separation will be provided to all aircraft operating:
  • Behind and less than 1,000 feet below super or heavy aircraft;
  • To small aircraft operating behind and less than 500 feet below B757 aircraft and;
  • To small aircraft following a large aircraft on final approach.
• Separation and sequencing of VFR aircraft will be suspended in the event of a radar outage, as this service is dependent on radar.
  • ATC will advise pilots if the service is unavailable, issue wind and runway information, and the time or place to contact the tower.
• Some facilities provide Class C services only during published hours.
  • At other times, terminal IFR radar service will be provided.
  • It is important to note that the communications and transponder/ADS-B requirements depend on the airspace class established outside the published hours.

Flight Procedures:

• Arrival:

  • Pilots must establish two-way radio communication with Air Traffic Control before entry and maintain those communications while in Class C airspace.
    • Pilots of arriving aircraft should contact the Class C airspace ATC facility on the publicized frequency and give their position, altitude, radar beacon code, destination, and request Class C service.
      • This is a lot of information to contact a controller; they may not be ready.
      • Consider the use of a "cold call" first:
        • Pilot: "[Agency], [Callsign], Request."
      • Once the controller responds, give them the full call.
        • Pilot: "[Agency], [Position], [Altitude], [Transponder Code], [Destination], [Request]."
        • ATC: "[Callsign] report [Instructions]."
    • Radio contact should be initiated far enough from the Class C airspace boundary to preclude entering Class C airspace before establishing two-way radio communications.
    • Permission is recognized by hearing your call sign:
      • ATC: "Aircraft calling, standby."
      • A controller must respond to the initial radio call using the aircraft's callsign for two-way radio communications to be considered established.
    • If workload or traffic conditions prevent immediate provision of Class C services, the controller will inform the pilot to remain outside the Class C airspace until conditions permit the services to be provided.

• Departure:

  • A primary or satellite airport with an operating control tower:

    • Two-way radio communications must be established and maintained with the control tower and thereafter, as instructed by ATC while operating in Class C airspace.

  • A satellite airport without an operating control tower:

    • Two-way radio communications must be established as soon as practicable after departing with the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the Class C airspace.

Speed Restrictions:

• 200 knots (230 mph) within 4 NM and 2,500' of the primary airport of a Class C airspace area without ATC authorization.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Operations:

• No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in Class C unless that person has prior authorization from ATC.
  • Authorization may be obtained through the FAA's UAS data exchange, Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), or the FAA's DroneZone.
• No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base.

Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Airman Certification Standards:

• Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with National Airspace System (NAS) operations under VFR as a private pilot.
• References: 14 CFR parts 71, 91, 93; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); VFR Navigation Charts.
• Private Pilot National Airspace System Lesson Plan.

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Airman Certification Standards:

• Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with National Airspace System (NAS) operations under VFR as a commercial pilot
• References: 14 CFR parts 71, 91, 93; AIM; FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); VFR Navigation Charts
• Commercial Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan