In the UK there are five classes of Airspace. These are:

Classes A, C, D, E and G.

Four out of five classes of airspace (A, C, D and E) are uncontrolled and one of five classes is uncontrolled airspace (class G). It is important to note controlled airspace is managed by air traffic controllers – and it is essential you report to them. Below explains each class of airspace.

Class A:

This is the highest grade of airspace – predominantly made up of airliners and jets. Only Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight is allowed within this airspace. For those not aware an IFR flight is when the pilot no longer uses the outside visual reference point – and instead relies on the aircraft instrument. Especially if the pilot is flying at night or in clouds. Also, you will find traffic is separated by ATC in class A airspace.

You can see Class A on the chart as shown below:

Class C:

Just like Class A in Class C airspace you will need to gain clearance to enter the airspace. As well as comply with the instructions provided by them. However, the difference in class C to Class A is it allows IFR and Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

Class C is not visible on the 1:250 and 1:500 chart due to its altitude.

What conditions need to be met to allow VFR?

To fly VFR you must be in Visual meteorological conditions. This is satisfied by:

• Visibility
• Distance from cloud vertically and
• Distance from cloud horizontally

Class D:

In Class D – it allows for IFR and VFR flights. ATC clearance and following instructions provided by ATC is required.

What is the difference between Class C and D – if both allow IFR/VFR and are ATC controlled?

The main difference is the difference in heights and the locality they cover. Class C covers all airspace from 19,500 ft to 60,000 ft. Whereas in Class D mainly covers the vicinity of an aerodromes.

Class E:

Class E is for IFR and VFR flights. The difference here is that IFR flights require speaking with ATC and seeking clearance. Whereas if the flight is VFR then no clearance is required.

Class G:

In Class G airspace planes can fly where they like subject to following basic rules. Communicating to ATC is not required but they can be notified of presence and intentions of flight.

Have a look at the picture below. Can you tell me what this means and which 3 airspaces must comply with what it says on the picture?

First of all this picture is in relation to flying at or above FL100 (at 10,000 feet). How high? 10,000 ft or above! Remember that.

There must be flight visibility in front of how much? 8km.

There must be a cloud separation vertically of 1,000ft and 1,500ft vertically.

Which airspaces does this relate to? The image above relates to classes C, D and E.

What is special VFR?

Special VFR flight is when a non-IFR flight CAN occur in Class A or Class D under special circumstances. This occurs when the flight occurring does not qualify for VMC (due to weather conditions). Flight visibility must be at least 1,500m.

Summary…

As they say a picture describes a 1,000 words. When it comes to flying you don’t want to be thrown all these fancy words and read long articles having not learnt anything at the end of it. So here are two images I will leave you with – these summarise what we talked about today. The first 3 times you will look at it – it will look confusing. Take a glance and absorb what the picture is saying and eventually you will know it like the back of you palm.

Summary of the classes of airspace:

Summary of VFR and VMC:

(please ignore Class F – this no longer exists)

I hope this helps you understand a bit more about the UK airspace.

Happy flying! Blue skies and Tailwinds.