Lesson 11: Class e - g Airspace and victor airways 

Welcome back, future pilot! You did a great job last lesson with all that new information. Today’s forecast includes two more letters of the airspace alphabet!

Great job learning about the first four classes of airspace (A-D)! Today, let's dive into the last two classes: Class E and Class G, and also learn about Victor Airways. Welcome!

But first, let’s review everything we know about the National Airspace System so far.

Review Time!

Class A-D Airspace Reviewed Let’s Review Airspace!

Class D, C, and B Class A

The Surface Class B

Class B is for Big Cities & Big Airports. It starts from the surface (ground) to 10,000 ft. above the airport. It is shaped like an upside-down wedding cake and is marked with solid blue lines. Class B has many, many floors and ceilings.

Class C

Class C is for Medium-Sized Cities and Airports. It starts from the ground to 4,000 ft. above the airport. It is shaped like a 2-layer upside-down wedding cake and is marked with solid magenta lines. Class C has two floors and ceiling numbers.

Class D

Class D is for Small Cities & Small Airports. It starts from the ground to 2,500 ft. above the airport. It is cylinder-shaped and is marked with dashed blue lines. Control towers in Class D are not operating 24/7.

Between Class B, C, & D, which one is biggest? B

Between Class B, C, & D, which one is smallest? D

Which 2 classes are shaped like upside-down wedding cakes?
B & C

Impressive work! Now, let’s learn some new information about airspace.

There are several different types of Class E airspace, and drone pilots need to know about three of them.

Awesome! Let’s explain one more thing... Shelves!

We talked about floors and ceilings of airspace! But there’s one more piece of furniture we can add to the mix. And those are shelves!

A shelf is basically the airspace under a layer of airspace!

Can you guess which airspace doesn’t have a shelf? It’s the only one that’s not an upside-down wedding cake.

Nice! That’s Class D. Duh!

Awesome. Now that we’ve reviewed the first four classes of airspace, let’s talk about the last two. Strap in!

First up is Class E. We can think of E as Everywhere.

Class E airspace is a type of controlled airspace where airplanes fly. It starts at different heights, from the ground to high up, but not as high as 18,000 feet.

Class E airspace is everywhere! It fills the gaps between other classes of controlled airspace to make sure there’s always a safe place to fly.

There are three types of Class E airspace. One starts on the ground, and the other two start at different heights.

There are three types of Class E airspace. Each type is shown differently on maps. We have to know about them because there are Class E Airspaces we can fly in and ones we can’t.

Phew! You’ve done a great job so far! Let’s take a much-deserved bio break.

Now, we’re going to take a deep dive into the three types of Class E Airspace.

The three Types of Class Echo Airspace

Just a heads up, here are the three types. 

• E1 – Starts at the surface 

• E2 – Starts at 700 feet 

• E3 – Starts at 1,200 feet

The first one is Class E airspace that starts at the surface, or the actual ground, and goes up.

You need permission from the FAA to fly in Class E Airspace that starts from the surface.

Class E#1: 

On sectional charts, Class E Airspace Starting at the Surface is shown with a dashed magenta line – like this!  

On a sectional chart, it’s shown as Dashed Magenta Circle or Shape. 

There are also examples where the shape is not a circle–check out Bowling Green Warren County Regional Airport.

Do you see how that magenta dashed line is kind of like a half-circle, half-rectangle?

That’s all Class E airspace starting at the surface! 

When the dashed magenta lines form a closed shape, it means you need FAA permission to fly there.

Hold on… what does that mean? 

Let’s take a look at another airport so you can see it!

What kind of airspace is that airport in? With the dashed blue lines?

That’s right, Class Delta! Now… what do you notice around it?

Those dashed magenta lines represent Class E airspace!

And check this out. Those magenta dashed shapes don’t close. They only have 3 sides!

If you are flying in one of those open Class E shapes, you don’t need the FAA’s permission.

Well said! These are Class E extensions to Class D airspace. Their main purpose is to provide a safe space for aircraft transitioning in and out of the main Class D airspace.

Let’s recap all of that! 

Class E #1 – At the Surface

Need FAA Permission

Don’t Need FAA Permission

All right, so, even if you are flying in a type of Class E airspace that doesn’t require special permission, you should still be extra careful.

All airspace that is near airports will have a lot more manned aircraft in the area, so you need to watch out for those!

Great stuff! Next, let’s talk about the second kind of Class E Airspace that starts at 700 feet above the ground and goes upward.

Class E #2 – Starting at 700 feet AGL

On sectional charts, Class E Airspace Starting 700 feet above the ground  looks like this! It has a thick, hazy magenta line.

This is the most common type of Class E airspace!

On a Sectional Chart, it’s shown by thick, fuzzy magenta lines. 

The key thing to know about this type of Class E airspace is that below 700 feet above the ground, it's usually uncontrolled Class G airspace, unless another type of airspace is specifically marked.

Let’s revisit that Sectional Chart area we looked at recently!

That shows us two kinds of Class E Airspace stacked over one, right? 

Do you see how we have Class E starting at the surface, and then more Class E starting at 700 ft AGL?

* Remember, dashed magenta lines start at the surface, and thick hazy magenta lines start at 700 ft AGL.

Next is an example of where we have Class G under the Class E at 700 ft AGL.

Since there's no dashed magenta lines, we can assume Class G Airspace is below the Class E at 700ft. 

Class E #3 – Starting at 1,200 feet AGL

You won’t see it marked on a Sectional Chart– there’s no outline!

And finally, let’s look at the third kind of Class E Airspace, that starts at 1,200 feet above the ground and goes upward.

This kind of Class E Airspace is not marked on Sectional Charts–we just have to know it’s there.

If a Sectional Chart doesn’t have the colored airspace lines and circles, that means it’s Class G airspace from the surface up to 1,200 feet above the ground. 

After 1,200 feet, it becomes Class E airspace.

Sometimes, Class E airspace can go up to where Class B or Class C airspace start.

Class E airspace stops at 18,000 above sea level.

Nice job! Now, let’s finally take a look at Class G – the airspace class where you’ll probably spend most of your time as a drone pilot.

Did you know that G stands for Golf? And Class Golf Airspace is Uncontrolled Airspace! 

Meaning it's not managed by Air Traffic Control (ATC). 

Class Golf is Uncontrolled Airspace! 

Class G Airspace is typically found below 1,200 feet above the ground, but it can extend higher in remote areas.

Class Golf Airspace isn’t marked on a Sectional Chart. 

Pilots call it Class Golf, but think of G as ‘General’.

In Class G Airspace, you don’t need FAA authorization or waivers to fly there, unlike Class B, C, D, and E. 

This is where you’ll spend most of your time flying as a drone pilot.

Pilots must still follow basic flight rules and be aware of other aircraft while flying in Class G Airspace! 

You’re in Class G airspace if: 

✅ There are no markings on a chart 

✅ There are no airspace circles 

✅ Or You’re actually under controlled airspace, like under a wedding cake (Like Class B, C, and E).  

Class G Airspace 

Some airports are in Class G airspace, which means you still don’t need authorization to fly near them. 

However, you need to make sure you’re not getting in the way of any manned aircraft (i.e., airplanes). Make sure you know the operating hours of the airport.

Good! Great! Golf. Now, let’s recap Class G Airspace. 

Class G is uncontrolled airspace! This means that you don’t need FAA authorization to fly there, unlike Class B, C, D, and E. This is where you’ll spend most of your time flying as a drone pilot.

Class G Airspace isn’t marked on a Sectional Chart.

Think of G as ‘General’. 

There are no markings on a sectional chart

There are no airspace circles

You’re actually under controlled airspace, like under a wedding cake* (Pssst - remember what they are?)

Class G - Rule Recap 

You’re actually under controlled airspace, like under a wedding cake* (Pssst - remember what they are?)

Now let’s talk about one more thing today – Victor Airways. 

Victor airways are low-altitude routes used by aircraft for navigation, usually between 1,200 feet and 18,000 ft MSL.

They are like highways in the sky, marked on Sectional Charts to help pilots fly safely from one point to another.

You’ll see them as thick, faded, light blue lines marked as V and a number, like V15.

Victor airways are low-altitude routes used by manned aircraft for navigation, usually between 1,200 feet AGL and 18,000 feet MSL.

They help pilots safely navigate between locations. 

Be aware of low-altitude civilian traffic while flying here! 

The important thing to know about Victor Airways is that they are always designated as Class E airspace.

They start at a base of 1,200 ft. AGL and go up to 18,000 ft. MSL.

Civilian pilots will fly pretty low along these Victor Airway lines!

If you get a question on the test that asks about the minimum altitude or lowest elevation of a Victor Airway, it’ll always be 1,200 ft. AGL.

Great work everyone!