Structure of an aeroplane(5)

by alan200994 Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:24 pm

AIRWAYS
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Aircraft flying in FAA controlled airspace normally operate on three dimensional "air highways" These three dimensional "air highways" are called Airways and are depicted on air navigational charts. There are two classes of airways:

Low-altitude airways (1,200 feet above the surface to 18,000 feet above mean sea level--MSL) are known as Victor airways based on the locations of VOR radio navigation stations.
High altitude airways (18,000MSL to 45,000MSL) are also based on VOR stations, but because of their higher altitude and often greater speed, pilots are able to use VOR stations at greater distances from the aircraft. Pilots who fly the high altitude airways must also fly by Instrument Flight Rules--IFR.

AIRSPACE
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Editor's Note: What follows from this point to the end of Chapter One is a fairly detailed description of types and classes of airspace, types of airports and runways. I suggest you read this material for a general understanding and leave a detailed knowledge for your 747 upgrade training.

Prohibited airspace - means that a pilot must avoid it. It is clearly marked on all types of aeronautical charts.
Restricted airspace - means that at certain times all aircraft flight within the area is prohibited.
Warning and alert areas - mean that pilots are expected to exercise extreme caution when flying through such areas. These are clearly marked on aeronautical charts.

AIRSPACE &AIRWAYS
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Controlled Airspace -- When an airplane is flying in or through controlled airspace, it is subject to control by FAA's air traffic controllers.

The largest area of controlled airspace is called the Continental Control Area.

Uncontrolled Airspace -- Also has rules and restrictions covered under FAA's air traffic controllers. But, there aren't as many rules and restrictions as for controlled airspace.

Types of Controlled Airspace:

Classes

Class A, B, C, D, and E controlled airspace.

Special Use Airspace

Prohibited Area
Restricted Area
Warning Area
Military Operations Area (MOA)
Alert Area
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
Temporary Flight Restrictions

Other

Airport Advisory Area
Wildlife/Wildemess/Primitive Areas
Class G

Class A Airspace
Generally, that airspace from 18,000 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level) up to and including Fight Level 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska. All flights are IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) in this airspace and altimeters are set to 29.92". Mode C transponders are required in this airspace. This is the region of the Jet Airways and most commercial airline traffic.
Class B Airspace

Generally, that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation's busiest airports in terms of airport operations or passenger emplanements. The configuration for each Class B airspace area is individually tailored and consists of a surface area and two or more layers (some Class B airspace areas resemble upside down wedding cakes), and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. An Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all aircraft that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace. The cloud clearance requirement for VFR operations is "clear of clouds."

a) Two-way radio communications.
b) VOR receiver.
c) Mode C transponder.
d) Private Pilot certificate or better (with certain exceptions for student pilots, as noted in FAR 61.95).

Mode C transponder equipment is also required within 30 nautical miles (NM) of a Terminal Control Area primary airport from the surface to 10,000 ft. MSL (and above 10,000 ft. everywhere).
Class C Airspace

Generally, that airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in Mean Sea Level) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower serviced by a radar approach control and that have a certain number of IFR operations or passenger . Although the configuration of each Class C airspace area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a surface area with a 5 nm radius, and an outer area with a 10 nm radius that extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation. Pilots must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility prior to entering the airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while within the airspace. Surrounding the Class C airspace (within a 20 nm radius from the airport) is the OUTER AREA, where pilot participation is optional. Radar service is available in the OUTER AREA once communications has been established with Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Class D Airspace

Generally, that airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in Mean Sea Level) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored and when instrument procedures are published, the airspace will normally be designed to contain those procedures. Unless otherwise authorized, each person must establish two-way radio communications with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility providing air traffic services prior to entering the airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while in the airspace. No separation services are provided to VFR (Visual Flight Rules) aircraft.

Class E Airspace
Generally, if the airspace is not Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D, and it is controlled airspace, it is Class E airspace. Class E airspace extends upward from either the surface or a designated altitude to an overlying or adjacent controlled airspace. Unless designated at a lower altitude, Class E airspace begins at 14,500 feet MSL over the United States. Class E airspace does not include the airspace at 18,000 feet MSL and above.

Class G Airspace
All airspace not designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace, is deemed to be uncontrolled airspace, and is designated as Class G airspace.
Special Use Airspace

Each sectional chart in the US. contains a listing of all the special use airspace contained within that chart. The listing also identifies the controlling agency. Special use airspace has seven categories:

Prohibited Area (P)

Prohibited airspace is a portion of airspace within which aircraft operations are explicitly prohibited. Permission to penetrate a Prohibited Area is not granted.

Restricted Area (R)

This is special use airspace with restricted access. Restricted Areas denote the existence of unusual aircraft hazards, e.g., missile and gunnery activity. Penetration of Restricted Areas may be granted at times by the controlling agency

Warning Area (W)
Warning Areas exist in airspace overlying international waters. These areas lie beyond the three-mile limit offshore. Warning areas typically contain hazards similar to those found in Restricted Areas.
Military Operations Area (MOA)

MOAs are areas of defined vertical and lateral boundaries established for military training activities. Permission is not required prior to penetrating an MOA but pilots should exercise extreme caution. Pilots should contact the nearest FAA Flight Service Station to obtain information regarding current activities in an MOA prior to departure.

Alert Area (A)

Alert Areas typically contain a high volume of pilot training or unusual type of aerial activity. Flight within Alert Areas is not restricted, but pilots should exercise extreme caution. Pilots are fully responsible for collision avoidance in Alert Areas.

Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
Air Defense Identification Zones have been established to facilitate early identification of all aircraft entering into or operating in the vicinity of the U.S. All aircraft entering domestic airspace must provide for identification prior to entry
Temporary Flight Restrictions

Temporary flight restrictions are usually issued by NOTAM to protect persons/property from a hazard associated with events on the ground - such as toxic spills., volcanic eruptions, forest fires, or any event that might attract sightseers -when low flying aircraft would magnify that hazard.

AIRPORTS Page 1-65
	There are three types of airports Civil Military. Joint-Use (Civilian and Military) On a sectional chart: A blue symbol indicates that the airport has a control tower. Military airports are identified by the abbreviations AFB, NAS, AAF, etc.

AIRPORT MARKINGS