Airspace Explained from a UAS Perspective

Perhaps one of the most important yet constantly confused subjects in UAS, the U.S. National Airspace System is a fairly organized yet complicated network of active aircraft. Therefore, this post is an attempt clarify any misunderstandings about airspace by incorporating  videos, figures from the FAA, and text quoted from the  Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge  (PHAK) which are linked accordingly.

Types of Airspace
Taken from the PHAK and the FAA AIM, the categories of airspace are: regulatory and non regulatory.

• Regulatory airspace includes Restricted, Prohibited and various classes (Class A, B, C, D, and E) airspace- These are the areas where FAA regulations are in place.
• Nonregulatory airspace includes MOAs (military operations area), warning areas, alert areas, and controlled firing areas.

Within these two categories, there are four types: controlled, uncontrolled, special use, and other
airspace. Shown in Figure 1 are graphics of airspace Class A-E. Below the figure is a breakdown of each airspace.

Figure 1: Airspace Diagram taken from faa.gov

Class A Airspace 
 Is the highest airspace and extends from 18,000 to 60,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL). Although it is extremely rare for UAS operations to take place here, systems such as the Global Hawk and Ikhana do. 
Class B Airspace

Generally encompass the busiest airports and can extend from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL. If you are planning to operate an sUAS in class B airspace, you must have at least one of the following:

•  An airspace authorization from LAANC
•  An airspace authorization from Dronezone
• A specific FAA waiver
• A well written COA   

Shown below is a short video taken from the FAA that explains how to identify class B airspace on a sectional chart.

                                                                                                                   

Video: Class B Airspace

Class C Airspace 

Surrounds area from the surface to 4,000 feet above airports that have an operational control tower. 

Although the configuration of each Class C area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a surface area with a five NM radius, and an outer circle with a ten NM radius that extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation. If you are planning to operate an sUAS in class C airspace, you must have at least one of the following:

•  An airspace authorization from LAANC
•  An airspace authorization from Dronezone
• A waiver
• A well written COA   

Shown below is a short video taken from the FAA that explains how to identify class C airspace on a sectional chart.      

Video: Class C Airspace

Class D Airspace

 Extends from the surface to 2,500 feet at airports that have an operational control tower. Depending on the airport, some towers close which can cause the surrounding airspace to switch from class D to Class E. Therefore a UAS operator must make sure they know what airspace they are in the time of their operation. If you are planning to operate an sUAS in class D airspace, you must have at least one of the following:

•  An airspace authorization from LAANC
•  An airspace authorization from Dronezone
• A well written COA
• A waiver 

Shown below is a short video taken from the FAA that explains how to identify class D airspace on a sectional chart.

Video: Class D Airspace

Class E Airspace
This airspace can exist both around airports and above the ending of class G airspace. To better depict his, divide class E into categories.

1. Class E Surface Airspace- this exists around airports starting at the surface.
• If you are operating in surface class E airspace, you will need an airspace authorization from the FAA to fly. 
2. Class E Outer Surface- this airspace exists away from airports and typically begins at 1,200 feet AGL
• If you are operating in outside surface class E airspace, you do not need airspace authorization from the FAA to fly.

Shown below is a short video taken from the FAA that explains how to identify class E airspace on a sectional chart.  

Video: Class E Airspace

Furthermore, be aware where class E airspace ends and where class G airspace begins. Referring to Figure 2, airspace within the magenta circle indicates that class G airspace starts from the surface to 699 feet while class E airspace starts at 700 feet. Outside of the circle, class G airspace starts at the surface to 1,199 feet while class E airspace starts at 1,200 feet.

Figure 2: Class E Airspace

Class G Airspace
If you are not at in Class A-E airspace, or within a Restricted/Prohibited or Military airspace, you are likely in Class G airspace. Class G is Uncontrolled Airspace therefore you do not need FAA permission to fly. Shown below is a short video taken from the FAA that explains how to identify class E airspace on a sectional chart.

Video: Class G Airspace

Conclusion
Being able to identify airspace is vital to UAS operations. More often then not, numerous and perhaps infamous UAS related incidents have occurred simply because operators were unaware of the airspace that they were flying in. With the introduction of LAANC and changing FAA regulations, we will one day have to consider if an air traffic control system specific to UAVs will exist despite knowing the fact that an aircraft can land in close proximity to UAVs and vice versa. Nevertheless, having a solid understand of airspace will enhance your credibility as a professional UAS pilot.