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Airspace Class A Alfa AirspaceWhat is Class Alfa Airspace? The airspace from 18000 feet MSL up to and including FL600. FL600 is equivalent of 60000 feet MSL, so unless you are an astronaut or flying some type of super aircraft in the Air Force you will probably not fly above class Alfa airspace.
To fly in class A airspace you need to be at least a private pilot with an instrument rating.
You need to be on an active IFR flight plan, and you need to have a two-way radio capable of communicating with ATC.A Mode C altitude encoding transponder.
And you need to have the navigational instruments required for the specific IFR operations you may encounter on your filed IFR flight plan.
If you look on an aeronautical chart for class A airspace, you can stop.
Because Class A airspace is not specifically charted, you just have to know that above 18000 feet MSL class A airspace starts.

Class B Bravo Airspace

Airspace Class B Bravo Airspace
The airspace surrounding the busiest airports, in terms of aircraft operation is classified as class B airspace.
Some examples of class B airspace, KJFK New York, Miami International KMIA, Dallas Forth Worth KDFW, Los Angeles KLAX.

It is from the surface to 10 000 feet MSL, in different layers.
One way of describing the different layers is like an upside down wedding cake.
The closer you get to the primary airport inside class B airspace, the higher the surrounding layer is.

For a pilot to take off from an airport inside class B airspace, he or she needs to be at least a private pilot. Or a student pilot with an endorsement from a certified flight instructor, that he/she have received adequate training both theoretical and practical in that specific class B airspace.
In some class B airspace, for example Dallas Forth Worth, the student pilot endorsement is not enough; you have to be a private pilot to fly there.
The minimum equipment for operation inside class B airspace is
An operable two-way radio, a Mode C Transponder with altitude encoding.
And if you are flying IFR you need to have VOR (radio navigation) equipment to.
Before you enter class B airspace you need to obtain an ATC clearance from the ATC facility in the specific class B airspace, prior to enter.
If you are flying VFR (visual flight rules), you need to make sure you meet the required weather minimums.
In class B airspace this means that you are clear of clouds, with at least 3 statute miles visibility.
On navigational charts, class B is depicted with a solid blue line. The base and ceiling of the airspace is shown with one number over the other for example 100/20.
Unless authorized by ATC, the maximum speed under 10 000 feet and in class B airspace is 250 Knots.

Class C Charlie Airspace

Class D Delta Airspace

Class E Echo Airspace

Hello and welcome to FAA Flight training
In today´s episode we will take a look at class E Echo airspace.
Ok so what is class E airspace?
A good way to describe class E airspace is, if it´s not Class A, B, C, or class D, and it´s controlled airspace then it´s class E.
Here we will look at the different types of class E airspaces.
Class E, can be a surface area designated for an airport, that is configured to contain all instrument approaches.

Class E airspace can serve as extensions to class B, C, and D surfaces areas.
This type of class E, which serve as extensions, Is essential for standard instrument approaches, where the airspace need to be controlled.

Class E airspace, are used for transition, this type of class E starts at either 700 ft or 1200 ft AGL.

En route domestic areas are class E airspace.
That extend upward from a specified altitude and provide controlled airspace, in those areas where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route ATC.

Federal Airways, are class E airspace, and unless otherwise specified, the federal airways extend upward from 1200 ft AGL, up to but not including 18 000 ft MSL.

Offshore airspace areas, are classified as class E airspace. This is areas around the coast of United States, where there is a requirement to provide IFR en route ATC service.
It starts from a specified altitude, up to but not including 18 000 ft MSL.

Unless designated at a lower altitude class E starts at 14 500 ft MSL.

To operate in class E airspace, you need to have at least a student pilot certificate.
As long as the weather meets, the VFR minimums, you do not need a clearance from ATC to enter class E airspace. If however the VFR minimums are not met, you need ATC clearance for arrival or departure.

Class E below 14500 ft MSL is depicted on charts, class E without an operating control tower, but with instrument approaches is depicted with a magenta solid line, this means controlled airspace from the surface.