Class E Airspace

Class E “Everywhere” Airspace

Echo airspace is the most common type of airspace you will encounter, no matter where it is you fly in the country.  You will find Echo airspace below 18,000′ msl everywhere that either Class B, C, D, or G airspace does not occupy.

In some areas, the base of Class E Airspace drops from 1,200′ AGL to 700′ AGL. These are typically airports that support instrument approach and departure procedures. As these airports tend to be busier than smaller airfields, Class Echo airspace has more stringent weather requirements as compared to Class Golf airspace. For even busier non-towered airports, it is not uncommon for Class Echo to extend all the way down to the surface.

The size of the airspace usually correlates with the runway length; the longer the runway, the larger and faster the aircraft operating on that runway can be. Terrain elevation is also taken into account when designing Class E airspace.

Echo airspace is controlled airspace but does not typically have an operating control tower associated with it.  Instead, Echo airspace is airspace that air traffic control has control over usually via Radar coverage and can issue clearances for pilots to go into the Echo airspace who are flying under IFR (instrument flight rules) or flying under Special VFR.  When you are flying under VFR (Visual Flight Rules), which you will be flying under 99.9% of the time as a private pilot, you do not need a clearance to enter into Class E airspace.

Class E Airspace Requirements

• You do not need to be in contact with Air Traffic Control to enter Class Echo airspace.
• There are no specific equipment requirements.
• Basic VFR minimums are 3sm visibility, 500′ below clouds, 1,000′ above clouds, 2,000′ horizontal from clouds.  When you are flying above 10,000′ msl the minimums become 5sm visibility, 1,000′ below clouds, 1,000′ above clouds, 1SM horizontal from clouds.
• Again, don’t sweat every detail of the VFR minimums, just REMEMBER the numbers 91.155 (that’s where you look it up in the FAR/AIM during your checkride).
• Remember 3-152’s  or Three – One Fifty Two’s (like 3 Cessna’s)  3-152s stands for 3sm, 1,000′ above, 500′ below, 2,000′ Horizontal.

Victor Airways

• The “V” stands for “Victor airway”. These airways correspond with VOR station placement. Think of them as a direct highway in the sky from one VOR station to another.
• Victor airways extend from 1,200′ AGL up to but not including 18,000′ MSL.
• The width of Victor Airways is 4 NM per side, or 8 NM total.
• It is important to exercise caution on airways and near VORs as there may be an increase in traffic as compared to operating off the airway.