National Airspace System
Private Pilot ACS · Area I · Task E · 14 CFR 61, 14 CFR 91, FAA-H-8083-25
Everything you need to know about National Airspace System for your private pilot checkride. Aligned to FAA-S-ACS-6C Task I-E, covering airspace class quick reference, sectional chart symbols, special use airspace.
Airspace Class Quick Reference 14 CFR 71, 91 §
Airspace Classes Comparison Table §
| Class | Lateral/Vertical | Entry Req | Equipment | VFR Min | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 18,000–FL600 everywhere | IFR clearance | IFR equip + Mode C | IFR only | N/A |
| B | SFC to ~10,000; varies by airport | Explicit ATC clearance | Mode C + ADS-B | 3SM / clear of clouds | 250 kt (<40 kt below) |
| C | SFC to ~4,000 AGL; 5/10 nm rings | Two-way comms established | Mode C + ADS-B | 3SM / 500↓ 1000↑ 2000H | 200 kt ≤2,500/4nm |
| D | SFC to ~2,500 AGL; ~4.3 nm radius | Two-way comms established | Two-way radio | 3SM / 500↓ 1000↑ 2000H | 200 kt ≤2,500/4nm |
| E | 700 or 1,200 AGL to 18,000 MSL | No requirement | Mode C above 10K | 3SM / 500↓ 1000↑ 2000H | 250 kt <10,000 |
| G | SFC to E floor | None | None | Day 1SM / COC below 1,200 | 250 kt <10,000 |
Critical B vs C/D distinction: Class B requires hearing the words "cleared into Class Bravo airspace" — explicit clearance. Class C and D require only that two-way communication is established (ATC acknowledges your callsign, even without a specific clearance). Saying "N12345, stand by" IS establishment of two-way communication.
14 CFR 71; 91.126–91.135
Sectional Chart Symbols PHAK Ch.15 §
Airspace Chart Symbols §
Class B: Solid blue rings (multiple rings = multiple altitude tiers)
Class C: Solid magenta rings
Class D: Segmented (dashed) blue circle
Class E at surface: Dashed magenta circle
Class E at 700 AGL: Solid magenta shading (vignette)
Class E at 1,200 AGL: No marking (default en-route)
MOA: Magenta boundary with "MOA" and name
Restricted: Blue boundary with "R-XXXX"
Prohibited: Blue boundary with "P-XXXX"
Warning: Blue boundary with "W-XXXX"
Alert: Magenta boundary with "A-XXXX"
TFR: Not on sectional — check NOTAM system
Class C: Solid magenta rings
Class D: Segmented (dashed) blue circle
Class E at surface: Dashed magenta circle
Class E at 700 AGL: Solid magenta shading (vignette)
Class E at 1,200 AGL: No marking (default en-route)
MOA: Magenta boundary with "MOA" and name
Restricted: Blue boundary with "R-XXXX"
Prohibited: Blue boundary with "P-XXXX"
Warning: Blue boundary with "W-XXXX"
Alert: Magenta boundary with "A-XXXX"
TFR: Not on sectional — check NOTAM system
FAA Sectional Chart Legend
Airport Symbols §
Blue airport: Towered (controlled airport with ATC tower)
Magenta airport: Non-towered (uncontrolled)
Solid circle: Hard surface runway
Open circle: Soft surface runway
Tick marks: Service available (fuel, etc.)
R: Rotating beacon
L: Lighting available
Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA): Large circles on approaches — altitude providing 1,000 ft clearance within 25 nm.
MEF (Maximum Elevation Figure): Printed on each sectional quadrangle — highest obstacle + 100 ft (200 ft for man-made) rounded up to next 100 ft. In hundreds of feet MSL.
Magenta airport: Non-towered (uncontrolled)
Solid circle: Hard surface runway
Open circle: Soft surface runway
Tick marks: Service available (fuel, etc.)
R: Rotating beacon
L: Lighting available
Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA): Large circles on approaches — altitude providing 1,000 ft clearance within 25 nm.
MEF (Maximum Elevation Figure): Printed on each sectional quadrangle — highest obstacle + 100 ft (200 ft for man-made) rounded up to next 100 ft. In hundreds of feet MSL.
FAA Sectional Chart Legend
Special Use Airspace AIM 3-4 §
SUA Types — Rules Summary §
Prohibited (P-): Flight prohibited at all times. National security. P-56 = White House. P-49 = Camp David. No entry under any circumstances.
Restricted (R-): Hazardous activities when active (live fire, missiles). Cannot enter without ATC authorization when active. When inactive, may be available to GA — check with controlling agency or FSS.
Military Operations Area (MOA): High-speed military training. VFR not prohibited — no clearance required — but extreme caution required. Check activity status with FSS before transiting.
Warning (W-): Over international waters. Not prohibited but pilots advised of hazardous activity. No ATC jurisdiction.
Alert (A-): High volume of student or unusual aerial activity. No clearance required. All pilots equally responsible for collision avoidance.
National Security Areas: Voluntary avoidance. If mandatory, it becomes a TFR or Restricted area.
Restricted (R-): Hazardous activities when active (live fire, missiles). Cannot enter without ATC authorization when active. When inactive, may be available to GA — check with controlling agency or FSS.
Military Operations Area (MOA): High-speed military training. VFR not prohibited — no clearance required — but extreme caution required. Check activity status with FSS before transiting.
Warning (W-): Over international waters. Not prohibited but pilots advised of hazardous activity. No ATC jurisdiction.
Alert (A-): High volume of student or unusual aerial activity. No clearance required. All pilots equally responsible for collision avoidance.
National Security Areas: Voluntary avoidance. If mandatory, it becomes a TFR or Restricted area.
14 CFR 73; AIM 3-4
ADS-B Out Requirements §
Required in (14 CFR 91.225):
• Class A airspace
• Class B and C airspace
• Class E at or above 10,000 ft MSL — EXCEPT in airspace below 2,500 ft AGL
• Within the Mode C veil (30 nm of Class B primary airport), from the surface to 10,000 ft MSL
• Above 3,000 ft MSL over the Gulf of Mexico within 12 nm of US coastline
Not required: In Class G airspace outside the above areas, below 10,000 ft in Class E outside the Mode C veil.
ADS-B In: Optional — allows you to receive traffic and weather. ADS-B Out is what is required.
• Class A airspace
• Class B and C airspace
• Class E at or above 10,000 ft MSL — EXCEPT in airspace below 2,500 ft AGL
• Within the Mode C veil (30 nm of Class B primary airport), from the surface to 10,000 ft MSL
• Above 3,000 ft MSL over the Gulf of Mexico within 12 nm of US coastline
Not required: In Class G airspace outside the above areas, below 10,000 ft in Class E outside the Mode C veil.
ADS-B In: Optional — allows you to receive traffic and weather. ADS-B Out is what is required.
14 CFR 91.225
DC SFRA & ADIZ §
DC SFRA: 30 nm radius around DCA (Reagan National), SFC to FL180. Requires:
• Completion of FAA online SFRA training course
• Filing an SFRA flight plan or having ATC authorization
• Squawking ATC-assigned discrete transponder code
• Two-way radio communication
The inner 15 nm (FRZ — Flight Restricted Zone) is more restrictive.
ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone): Along US coastlines. For VFR flight through an ADIZ:
• File a DVFR (Defense VFR) flight plan with FSS
• Squawk ATC-assigned code
• Depart within 5 minutes of filed time
• Two-way radio required
• Completion of FAA online SFRA training course
• Filing an SFRA flight plan or having ATC authorization
• Squawking ATC-assigned discrete transponder code
• Two-way radio communication
The inner 15 nm (FRZ — Flight Restricted Zone) is more restrictive.
ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone): Along US coastlines. For VFR flight through an ADIZ:
• File a DVFR (Defense VFR) flight plan with FSS
• Squawk ATC-assigned code
• Depart within 5 minutes of filed time
• Two-way radio required
14 CFR 93.331; 14 CFR 99; AIM 5-6-1
Special VFR §
In the surface area of Class B, C, D, or E controlled airspace, with ATC clearance:
• Minimum flight visibility: 1 SM
• Must remain clear of clouds
Night SVFR: Requires instrument rating AND IFR-equipped aircraft. No SVFR at night without an instrument rating.
Fixed-wing vs helicopter: Helicopters have different SVFR minimums — can operate in less than 1 SM with ATC authorization.
ATC can deny SVFR: At some airports SVFR is prohibited because of traffic — check Chart Supplement. "NO SVFR" notation means Class B airports typically.
• Minimum flight visibility: 1 SM
• Must remain clear of clouds
Night SVFR: Requires instrument rating AND IFR-equipped aircraft. No SVFR at night without an instrument rating.
Fixed-wing vs helicopter: Helicopters have different SVFR minimums — can operate in less than 1 SM with ATC authorization.
ATC can deny SVFR: At some airports SVFR is prohibited because of traffic — check Chart Supplement. "NO SVFR" notation means Class B airports typically.
14 CFR 91.157