Class Golf Airspace

Introduction to Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf (also called "Class G") Airspace is the uncontrolled "govern free" airspace which is void from Air Traffic Control (ATC) jurisdiction
Class G airspace supports both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations within
When you have a solid understanding of Class Golf Airspace, compare your knowledge against the Private Pilot (Airplane) or Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Airman Certification Standards

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Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace Key Highlights

Class G airspace is uncontrolled airspace that extends from the surface upward to the overlying controlled airspace structure.
Air traffic control services are generally not provided to VFR aircraft operating within Class G airspace.
Class G airspace dimensions vary depending on location, terrain, and nearby controlled airspace configurations.
Visual flight rules (VFR) weather minimums in Class G airspace vary based on altitude, time of day, and airspeed.
Class G airspace commonly exists in rural areas and at lower altitudes beneath Class E airspace.
Pilots operating in Class G airspace remain responsible for traffic separation and collision avoidance.
Instrument flight rules (IFR) operations may still occur within Class G airspace under ATC clearance and applicable procedures.
Pilots should monitor common traffic advisory frequencies and maintain strong situational awareness in uncontrolled environments.
Weather changes, terrain, and limited radar coverage can increase operational challenges within Class G airspace.
Understanding Class G airspace improves regulatory compliance, situational awareness, and overall flight safety.

Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Air Traffic Services

Given that Class Golf airspace is uncontrolled and often outside of radar coverage for air traffic control to monitor, air traffic control services are not offered.

Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace Dimensions

General Airspace Overview
Class G airspace within the United States extends up to 14,500' Mean Sea Level (MSL)
At and above this altitude is Class E, excluding the airspace less than 1500' above the terrain and certain special use airspace areas
General Airspace Overview

Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace Depiction

Amazon, Sectional Charts
Amazon, Sectional Charts
Class G airspace is not depicted on any chart

Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Operating Rules & Pilot/Equipment Requirements

Pilot Certification:
- Student pilot certificate
VFR Visibility Requirements:
- Altitude: 1,200' or less above the surface (regardless of MSL altitude)
  - Flight Visibility:
    - Day: 1 SM
    - Night: 3 SM
  - Distance from Clouds
    - Clear of clouds
- More than 1,200' above the surface, but less than 10,000' MSL
  - Flight Visibility:
    - Day: 1 SM
    - Night: 3 SM
  - Distance from Clouds:
    - 500' Below
    - 1,000' Above
    - 2,000' Horizontal
- More than 1,200' above the surface and at or above 10,000' MSL
  - Flight Visiblity:
    - Day and Night: 5 SM
  - Distance from Clouds:
    - 1,000' Below
    - 1,000' Above
    - 1 SM Horizontal
Entry Requirements:
- None
Aircraft Separation:
- No formal separation services are provided
- The pilot is responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft
Speed Restrictions:
- 250 knots below 10,000' MSL
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
- Recreational flyers are limited to 400 feet AGL in Class G airspace, without special authorization

Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace Considerations

Except when associated with a temporary control tower, ATC does not have responsibility for or authority over aircraft in Class G airspace; however, most regulations affecting pilots and aircraft still apply
Pilots are reminded that in addition to IFR altitude or flight level requirements, FAR 91.177 includes the IFR requirement to remain at least 1,000' (2,000' in mountainous terrain) above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of 4 NM from course to be flown
IFR Altitudes (below 18,000'):
- 0 to 179 degrees: Odd thousands MSL (3,000', 5000', etc.)
- 180 to 359 degrees: Even thousands MSL (2,000', 4000', etc.)
When approaching to land at an airport without an operating control tower in Class G airspace:
- Each pilot of an airplane must make all turns of that airplane to the left unless the airport displays approved light signals or visual markings indicating that turns should be made to the right, in which case the pilot must make all turns to the right
- Each pilot of a helicopter or a powered parachute must avoid the flow of fixed-wing aircraft
Except when necessary for training or certification, the pilot in command of a civil turbojet-powered aircraft must use, as a final flap setting, the minimum certificated landing flap setting set forth in the approved performance information in the Airplane Flight Manual for the applicable conditions
- Each pilot in command has the final authority and responsibility for the safe operation of the pilot's airplane, and may use a different flap setting for that airplane if the pilot determines that it is necessary in the interest of safety
Unless otherwise 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 between that aircraft and the control tower
Communications must be established prior to 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 basic 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 Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace Related Private Pilot (Airplane) Airman Certification Standards

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 (Airplane) National Airspace System Lesson Plan.
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:
- PA.I.E.K1:
  Airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations.
- PA.I.E.K2:
  Chart symbols.
- PA.I.E.K3:
  Special use airspace (SUA), special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas.
- PA.I.E.K4:
  Special visual flight rules (VFR) requirements.
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:
- PA.I.E.R1:
  Various classes and types of airspace.
Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:
- PA.I.E.S1:
  Identify and comply with the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace.
- PA.I.E.S2:
  Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements.
- PA.I.E.S3:
  Identify the requirements for operating in SUA or within a TFR. Identify and comply with special air traffic rules (SATR) and SFRA operations, if applicable.

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.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:
- CA.I.E.K1:
  Airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations.
- CA.I.E.K2:
  Chart symbols.
- CA.I.E.K3:
  Special use airspace (SUA), special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas.
- CA.I.E.K4:
  Special visual flight rules (VFR) requirements.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:
- CA.I.E.R1:
  Various classes and types of airspace.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:
- CA.I.E.S1:
  Identify and comply with the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace.
- CA.I.E.S2:
  Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements.
- CA.I.E.S3:
  Identify the requirements for operating in SUA or within a TFR. Identify and comply with special air traffic rules (SATR) and SFRA operations, if applicable.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airspace Operational Requirements Airman Certification Standards:
- Objective: To determine that the applicant is knowledgeable of airspace operational requirements.
- References: 14 CFR part 71; AC 107-2; AIM; FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); FAA-G-8082-22 (Remote Pilot - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide); SAFO 10015.
- Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airspace Operational Requirements Lesson Plan.
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Airspace Operational Requirements Knowledge:
The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:
- UA.II.B.K1:
  Basic weather minimums.
- UA.II.B.K2:
  ATC authorizations and related operating limitations.
- UA.II.B.K3:
  Operations near airports.
- UA.II.B.K4:
  Potential flight hazards.
  
  UA.II.B.K4a:
  Common aircraft accident causal factors.
  
  UA.II.B.K4b:
  Avoid flight beneath unmanned balloons.
  
  UA.II.B.K4c:
  Emergency airborne inspection of other aircraft.
  
  UA.II.B.K4d:
  Precipitation static.
  
  UA.II.B.K4e:
  Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (laser) operations and reporting illumination of aircraft.
  
  UA.II.B.K4f:
  Avoiding flight in the vicinity of thermal plumes, such as smoke stacks and cooling towers.
  
  UA.II.B.K4g:
  Flying in the wire environment.
- UA.II.B.K5:
  The NOTAM system including how to obtain an established NOTAM through Flight Service.
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Airspace Operational Requirements Risk Management:
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:
- NA:
  Reserved.
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Airspace Operational Requirements Skills:
The applicant exhibits the skills to:
- NA:
  Not Applicable.

Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace Knowledge Check

Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace Conclusion

Federal Aviation Regulation 91.155 governs VFR ceiling and visibility minimums.
FAR 91.126 regulates operations within Class G airspace
Remember to comply with all noise abatement procedures, found in the Chart Supplement U.S..
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Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace

Introduction to Class Golf Airspace

Class Golf Airspace Key Highlights

Class Golf Air Traffic Services

Class Golf Airspace Dimensions

Class Golf Airspace Depiction

Class Golf Operating Rules & Pilot/Equipment Requirements

Pilot Certification:

VFR Visibility Requirements:

Entry Requirements:

Aircraft Separation:

Speed Restrictions:

Small Unmanned Aircraft Operations:

Class Golf Airspace Considerations

Class Golf Airspace Related Private Pilot (Airplane) Airman Certification Standards

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

Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Knowledge:

PA.I.E.K1:

PA.I.E.K2:

PA.I.E.K3:

PA.I.E.K4:

Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Risk Management:

PA.I.E.R1:

Private Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Skills:

PA.I.E.S1:

PA.I.E.S2:

PA.I.E.S3:

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

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Knowledge:

CA.I.E.K1:

CA.I.E.K2:

CA.I.E.K3:

CA.I.E.K4:

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Risk Management:

CA.I.E.R1:

Commercial Pilot (Airplane) National Airspace System Skills:

CA.I.E.S1:

CA.I.E.S2:

CA.I.E.S3:

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airspace Operational Requirements Airman Certification Standards:

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Airspace Operational Requirements Knowledge:

UA.II.B.K1:

UA.II.B.K2:

UA.II.B.K3:

UA.II.B.K4:

UA.II.B.K4a:

UA.II.B.K4b:

UA.II.B.K4c:

UA.II.B.K4d:

UA.II.B.K4e:

UA.II.B.K4f:

UA.II.B.K4g:

UA.II.B.K5:

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Airspace Operational Requirements Risk Management:

NA:

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Airspace Operational Requirements Skills:

NA:

Class Golf Airspace Knowledge Check

Class Golf Airspace Conclusion

Class Golf Airspace References