Airspace

These routes are generally found on VFR terminal area 1. A deviation is necessary to conform to ICAO planning charts. Documents, National Rules of the Air, or special agreements where the United States provides ATC Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSAs) service in airspace outside the country and its TRSAs are areas where participating pilots can receive possessions additional radar services. The purpose of the service is 2. Other procedures/minima are prescribed in a letter of to provide separation between all IFR operations and agreement, FAA directive, or a military document participating VFR aircraft. 3. A deviation is necessary to assist an aircraft when an emergency has been declared The primary airport(s) within the TRSA become(s) Class D airspace. The remaining portion of the TRSA overlies other Coordinating the Use of Airspace controlled airspace, which is normally Class E airspace ATC is responsible for ensuring that the necessary beginning at 700 or 1,200 feet and established to transition to/ coordination has been accomplished before allowing an from the en route/terminal environment. TRSAs are depicted aircraft under their control to enter another controller’s area on VFR sectional charts and terminal area charts with a solid of jurisdiction. black line and altitudes for each segment. The Class D portion is charted with a blue segmented line. Participation in TRSA Before issuing control instructions directly or relaying services is voluntary; however, pilots operating under VFR through another source to an aircraft that is within another are encouraged to contact the radar approach control and take controller’s area of jurisdiction that will change that advantage of TRSA service. aircraft’s heading, route, speed, or altitude, ATC ensures that coordination has been accomplished with each of the National Security Areas (NSAs) controllers listed below whose area of jurisdiction is affected NSAs consist of airspace of defined vertical and lateral by those instructions unless otherwise specified by a letter dimensions established at locations where there is a of agreement or a facility directive: requirement for increased security and safety of ground facilities. Flight in NSAs may be temporarily prohibited by 1. The controller within whose area of jurisdiction the regulation under the provisions of Title 14 of the Code of control instructions are issued Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 99, and prohibitions are 2. The controller receiving the transfer of control disseminated via NOTAM. Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through these depicted areas. 3. Any intervening controller(s) through whose area of jurisdiction the aircraft will pass Air Traffic Control and the National Airspace System If ATC issues control instructions to an aircraft through a source other than another controller (e.g., Aeronautical Radio, The primary purpose of the ATC system is to prevent a Incorporated (ARINC), FSS, another pilot), they ensure that collision between aircraft operating in the system and to the necessary coordination has been accomplished with any organize and expedite the flow of traffic. In addition to controllers listed above, whose area of jurisdiction is affected its primary function, the ATC system has the capability to by those instructions unless otherwise specified by a letter provide (with certain limitations) additional services. The of agreement or a facility directive. ability to provide additional services is limited by many factors, such as the volume of traffic, frequency congestion, Operating in the Various Types of Airspace quality of radar, controller workload, higher priority duties, It is important that pilots be familiar with the operational and the pure physical inability to scan and detect those requirements for each of the various types or classes of situations that fall in this category. It is recognized that these airspace. Subsequent sections cover each class in sufficient services cannot be provided in cases in which the provision detail to facilitate understanding regarding weather, type of of services is precluded by the above factors. pilot certificate held, and equipment required. Consistent with the aforementioned conditions, controllers Basic VFR Weather Minimums shall provide additional service procedures to the extent No pilot may operate an aircraft under basic VFR when the permitted by higher priority duties and other circumstances. flight visibility is less, or at a distance from clouds that is The provision of additional services is not optional on the less, than that prescribed for the corresponding altitude and part of the controller, but rather is required when the work class of airspace. [Figure 15-8] Except as provided in 14 CFR situation permits. Provide ATC service in accordance with part 91, section 91.157, “Special VFR Weather Minimums,” the procedures and minima in this order except when: 15-7