Class Echo Aispace
Class Echo airspace establishes controlled airspace areas which fill coverage between other classifications of airspace.
Introduction
Introduction
- Class E (also called "Class E") Airspace is controlled airspace designated to serve various terminal or en route purposes.
- Class Echo airspace services are available, provided by an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC).
- Class E airspace dimensions contain Instrument Flight Rules and Visual Flight Rules operations within the terminal area.
- Class E airspace is depicted on several navigational charts.
- Operations in Class Echo airspace require adherence to relevant operating rules & pilot equipment requirements.
- Together, these operating procedures enable the function of Class Echo airspace.
- When you have a solid understanding of Class Echo Airspace, compare your knowledge against the Private Pilot (Airplane) or Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Airman Certification Standards.
Class Echo Air Traffic Services
Class Echo Air Traffic Services
- Each pilot of an aircraft must comply with any traffic patterns established for that airport in part 93.
- Unless authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft to, from, through, or on an airport having an operational control tower unless two-way radio communications are maintained.
- Communications must be established before 4 NM from the airport, up to and including 2,500' AGL.
- If the aircraft radio fails in flight, the pilot in command may operate that aircraft and land if weather conditions are at or above VFR weather minimums, visual contact with the tower is maintained, and a clearance to land is received.
- If the aircraft radio fails while in flight under IFR, the pilot must comply with IFR two-way radio communications failure procedures.
Class Echo Airspace Dimensions
Class Echo Airspace Dimensions
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Horizontal Limits:
- The horizontal limits of Class Echo airspace include:
- The 48 contiguous States, including the waters within 12 miles from the coast of the 48 contiguous States;
- The District of Columbia;
- Alaska, including the waters within 12 miles off the coast of Alaska;
- Horizontal limits exclude the Alaska peninsula west of long 160°00'00''W and the airspace below 1,500 feet above the earth's surface unless specifically designated.
- The horizontal limits of Class Echo airspace include:
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Vertical Limits:
- Except when designed differently per the functions of Class E Airspace (defined below), Class E airspace is that airspace extending upward from 14,500' MSL to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL, excluding:
- The airspace below 1,500' above the surface of the earth unless specifically designated lower (for example, in mountainous terrain higher than 13,000 feet MSL).
- Class E begins again at 60,000' MSL and continues up to unlimited.
- Except when designed differently per the functions of Class E Airspace (defined below), Class E airspace is that airspace extending upward from 14,500' MSL to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL, excluding:
Class Echo Airspace Depiction
Class Echo Airspace Depiction
- Class E airspace below 14,500' MSL is charted on the following charts:
- VFR Sectionals
- IFR En Route Low Altitude, and
- Terminal Area Charts (where appropriate)
Class Echo Operating Rules & Pilot/Equipment Requirements
Class Echo Operating Rules & Pilot/Equipment Requirements
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Pilot Certification Requirements:
- No specific certificate required
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VFR Visibility Requirements:
- Below 10,000' MSL: 3 SM visibility, 500' below, 1,000' above, 2,000' horizontal
- Above 10,000' MSL: 5 SM visibility, 1,000' below, 1,000' above, 1 SM horizontal
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Equipment:
- Unless otherwise authorized by ATC:
- An operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting capability and operable ADS-B Out equipment are required at and above 10,000 feet MSL within the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, excluding the airspace at and below 2,500' above the surface, and
- Operable ADS-B Out equipment at and above 3,000 feet MSL over the Gulf of Mexico from the coastline of the United States out to 12 nautical miles
- The airspace described here is specified in 14 CFR 91.225 for ADS-B Out requirements. However, 14 CFR 91.215 does not include this airspace for transponder requirements
- Unless otherwise authorized by ATC:
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Flight Procedures:
- ATC clearance for IFR, all require radio contact
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Aircraft Separation:
- Separation is provided for IFR, SVFR, and runway operations
- VFR separation is not provided unless flight following is being used
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Speed Restrictions:
- 250 knots below 10,000' MSL
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Regulation:
- Unless otherwise required by part 93 or unless otherwise authorized or required by the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the Class E airspace area, each person operating an aircraft on or in the vicinity of an airport in a Class E airspace area must comply with the requirements of FAR 91.126.
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Small Unmanned Aircraft Operations:
- No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (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
- No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Functions of Class Echo Airspace
Functions of Class Echo Airspace
- Class E airspace can be tailored for specific purposes and remembered with the acronym "FEETSO 14-500:"
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Class Echo Extension to Surface Area:
- Class E airspace may be designated as extensions to Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E surface areas
- Class E airspace extensions begin at the surface and extend up to the overlying controlled airspace
- The extensions provide controlled airspace to contain standard instrument approach procedures without imposing a communications requirement on pilots operating under VFR
- Surface area arrival extensions become part of the surface area and are in effect during the same times as the surface area
- In the example shown to the right, you see the Class echo extension connects with Class Delta airspace [Figure 2]
- When a Class C or Class D surface area is not in effect continuously (for example, where a control tower only operates part-time), the surface area airspace will change to either a Class E surface area or Class G airspace. In such cases, the "Airspace" entry for the airport in the Chart Supplement U.S. will state "other times Class E" or "other times Class G." When a part-time surface area changes to Class E airspace, the Class E arrival extensions will remain in effect as Class E airspace. If a part–time Class C, Class D, or Class E surface area becomes Class G airspace, the arrival extensions will change to Class G at the same time
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Class Echo En-route Domestic Area:
- Echo airspace that extends upward from a specified altitude and are used for en-route domestic airspace areas to provide controlled airspace where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route ATC services but the Federal Airway does not exist and would be inadequate
- Depicted on the outside of the transition area where Class Echo starts at 1,200' AGL
- The lateral extend is identical to that of a federal airway
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Class Echo Transition Area:
- Class E airspace areas may be designated for transitioning aircraft to/from the terminal or en route environment
- Class E transition areas extend upward from either 700 feet AGL (shown as magenta vignette on sectional charts) or 1,200 feet AGL (blue vignette) and are designated for airports with an approved instrument procedure
- The 700-foot/1200-foot AGL Class E airspace transition areas remain in effect continuously, regardless of airport operating hours or surface area status
- Do not confuse the 700-foot and 1200-foot Class E transition areas with surface areas or surface area extensions
- Class E airspace areas may be designated for transitioning aircraft to/from the terminal or en route environment
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Class Echo Surface Area Designated For An Airport:
- Class E surface areas extend upward from the surface to a designated altitude, or to the adjacent or overlying controlled airspace. The airspace will be configured to contain all instrument procedures
- To qualify for a Class E surface area, the airport must have weather observation and reporting capability, and communications capability must exist with aircraft down to the runway surface
- A Class E surface area may also be designated to accommodate part-time operations at a Class C or Class D airspace location (for example, those periods when the control tower is not in operation)
- Pilots should refer to the airport page in the applicable Chart Supplement U.S. for surface area status information
- Class E surface areas extend upward from the surface to a designated altitude, or to the adjacent or overlying controlled airspace. The airspace will be configured to contain all instrument procedures
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Class Echo Offshore (beyond 12NM):
- There are Class E airspace areas that extend upward from a specified altitude to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL and are designated as offshore airspace areas
- This areas offshore control of incoming and outgoing international flights
- These areas provide controlled airspace beyond 12 miles from the coast of the U.S. in those areas where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route ATC services and within which the U.S. is applying domestic procedures
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Class Echo - 14,500:
- Remember, 14,500 is the standard start of class E airspace (14,500-17,999)
Conclusion
Conclusion
- Federal Aviation Regulation 91.155 governs VFR ceiling and visibility minimums.
- Remember to comply with all noise abatement procedures, found in the Chart Supplement U.S.
- Still looking for something? Continue searching:
References
References
- Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary
- Aeronautical Information Manual (3-2-6) Class E Airspace
- Aeronautical Information Manual (5-3-4) Airways and Route Systems
- AeroNav Products - Aeronautical Chart User's Guide
- AOPA - Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace
- CFI Notebook.net - Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)
- CFI Notebook.net - Aviation Roles
- Federal Aviation Administration Order (7400.2-Chapter 18) Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters
- Federal Aviation Administration Order (7400.9) Airspace Designations and Reporting Points
- Federal Aviation Regulations (Part 71 subpart E) Class E Airspace
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.126) Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class G airspace
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.127) Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class E airspace
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.181) Course to be flown
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.185) IFR operations: Two-way radio communications failure
- Instrument Flying Handbook (1-2) Airspace Classification