Class Charlie Aispace

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 ATIS code, ATC will omit information in the Automatic Terminal Information Service (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. The pilot will be requested to change to 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]
  • Inner core: 5 Nautical Mile (NM) radius.
  • Shelf area: 10 NM radius.
• 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 AGL above the primary airport's field elevation.
  • Inner core: Surface to 4000' Above Ground Level (AGL).
  • Shelf area: 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:

• There is no specific pilot certification required
• This means that as long as an aircraft meets the equipment requirements below, anyone from a student on up can operate within Class Charlie Airspace

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 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 in order to maintain two-way radio communications with the controlling agency (described below)

Aircraft Separation:

• Separation is provided within the Class C airspace and the outer area after two-way radio communications and radar contact are established
• IFR aircraft are separated 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
  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
  • The pilot will be advised that the service is not available and issued wind, 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 are dependent of the class of airspace established outside of the published hours

Arrival:

• Two-way radio communication must be established with Air Traffic Control prior to entry and thereafter 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 with, and 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 two-way radio communications are established
  • Permission is recognized by hearing your call sign:
    • ATC: "Aircraft calling, standby"
    • It is important to understand that if the controller responds to the initial radio call without using the aircraft identification, radio communications have not been established and the pilot may not enter the Class C airspace
  • 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

VFR Visibility Requirements:

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

Speed Restrictions:

• 200 knots (230 mph) within 4 NM and 2,500' of the primary airport of a Class C airspace area, unless otherwise authorized

Small Unmanned Aircraft Operations:

• No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class C unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC)
• 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