FLIGHT OPERATIONS
OFFICER (FOO)
REFRESHER TRAINING
AIRSPACE
STRUCTURE
&
CLASSIFICATION
Airspace structure
Airspaces are the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory.
There are two kinds of airspace:
Controlled airspace: Airspace of defined dimensions within which ATC service is provided
to IFR flights and to VFR flights in accordance with the airspace classification.
Uncontrolled airspace: Airspace in which air traffic control does not exert any executive
authority, although it may act in an advisory manner.
Flight information region: A Flight Information Region (FIR) is an airspace of defined
dimensions within which flight information service and alerting service are provided.
Flight Information Service: A service provided for the purpose of giving advice and
information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights.
Alerting Service: A service provided to notify appropriate organizations regarding aircraft
in need of search and rescue aid and to assist such organizations as required.
Controlled airspace
Controlled airspaces contain several types like, CTR, CTA, TMA, ACC.
Control zone (CTR) : A control zone named CTR or known as controlled traffic
region is a controlled airspace, normally around an airport, which extends from
the surface to a specified upper limit, established to protect air traffic operating
to and from that airport.
This airspace is usually dedicated to a tower controller.
Control area (CTA): A control area named CTA is a controlled airspace that exists
in the vicinity of an airport, which extends from a lower level to a specified upper
level. The lower level shall not be the ground. It usually is situated on top of a
control zone and provides protection to aircraft climbing out from the airport.
A CTA can be formed by:
Terminal control areas (TMA) of sufficient size to contain the controlled traffic
around the busier aerodrome Interconnecting airways.
Area-type control areas for which specific ATS routes have been defined for
the purpose of flight planning and which provide for the organization of an
orderly traffic flow.
Terminal control area (TMA): A terminal area named TMA or known as terminal
manoeuvring area is a controlled airspace surrounding a major airport with a high volume
of traffic.
A TMA is the airspace in which approach control service is provided.
Area control centre (ACC): An Area Control Centre (ACC) or known as radar Centre is a
controlled airspace which extends from a lower level to a specified upper level, both levels
at high altitude.
An ACC is the airspace in which en-route control service is provided to IFR flights at high
altitudes between airport approaches and departures.
The airspace controlled by an en-route controller can be a flight information region or a
part of it.
ATS route: An ATS route is a specified route designed for channeling the flow of traffic as
necessary for the provision of air traffic services.
Airway: An airway or flight path is a designated route in the air.
Airspace restrictions and reservations
Each State can define parts of its airspace so that flights within such defined airspace are
prohibited, restricted or performed with care.
Airspace restrictions can have the following form:
Danger Area: An airspace of defined limits in which dangerous activities for aircraft may
develop. Typical activities developed might be: test flights, parachuting,
rocket-launching.
Restricted Area: An airspace of defined limits in which the flight of aircraft is subject to
restrictions.
Prohibited Area: An airspace of defined limits in which flying is totally prohibited
(except for some authorized military and government use).
Airspace Classification
Air Traffic Management requires the airspace to be divided in several classes, named by
the first 7 alphabetic letters (A to G).
Class A airspace: A controlled airspace.
In class A airspace, only IFR flights are permitted (No VFR flights).
Class B airspace: A Controlled airspace.
In class B airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
Class C airspace: Class C airspace is a controlled airspace.
In class C airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
Class D airspace: Class D airspace is a controlled airspace.
In class D airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
Note that Special VFR traffic shall be separated from other traffic like IFR ones. Special VFR flight is
known as a VFR flight cleared by air traffic control to operate within a control zone in
meteorological conditions below VMC.
Class E airspace: Class E airspace is a controlled airspace.
In class E airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
Class E shall not be used for control zones.
Class F airspace: Class F airspace is a non-controlled airspace.
In class F airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
Class G Airspace: Class G airspace is a non-controlled airspace.
In class G airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted.
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