Lesson 14: Airspace Authorization + Sectional Chart Problem-Solving

Welcome back, future remote pilot! How are you feeling? We’re really impressed at how much pilot information you’ve already learned so far. Today’s lesson is probably one of the more challenging ones throughout this course! And we know that you can learn this!

Pro-Tip: Reviewing is always recommended. This stuff takes a few times to get used to, for everyone!

Review!

First up, let’s talk about when you need to get authorization (waivers) to fly in certain types of airspace, and how to get it!

Which classes of airspace do you need waivers (authorization) to enter? You need waivers to enter Class B, C, D, and E Airspace! G is Fair Game. And remember, drone pilots don’t care about Class A.

Great! Now, which special use airspace can you never, ever fly in? Prohibited Airspace! 

And finally, which special use airspace is the only one you can fly in with a waiver? Restricted Airspace!

What you need waivers for:

• Flying higher than 400ft. AGL

• Faster than 100MPH

• Flying in less than 3 statute miles of visibility

• Flying less than 500 ft. below or 2,000 ft. horizontally of clouds.

• Flying at night without anti-collision lights

• Flying in Controlled Airspace (B, C, D, E)

• Flying over moving vehicles

• Flying from a moving vehicle

• Flying more than one drone at a time

But that’s not all of them! If you want to learn more about these laws in the language that The FAA uses, check this page out. 

Before we take off, let’s share five fun facts about waivers.

Fun Fact #1: Waivers are like coupons! You can’t combine them with any other waivers without specific authorization from the FAA.

Fun Fact #2: The FAA has the authority to cancel or delay flights if they think it's unsafe for people or property, or if the rules of a waiver are broken.

Fun Fact #3: As the Remote Pilot in Command, you have to carry a copy of the waiver with you on the ground at all times during your mission!

Fun Fact #4: And your other responsibility as the rPIC is letting your whole crew know (your PMC and VO) about the specific rules of the waiver, and about Part 107 rules in general.

Fun Fact #5: If you’re ever lucky enough to get a waiver, here are more rules from The FAA, in case you’re interested in checking them out.

Waivers

And you might be wondering, well, where can you even apply to get a waiver? We haven’t covered that yet. Here we go!

Applying 

If you want to apply to get a waiver for Airspace Authorization, you can do that through this website called LAANC!

LAANC is a government website from the FAA. LAANC stands for Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability.

LAANC is a website that allows drone pilots to quickly receive approval from the FAA to fly in controlled airspace near airports. This makes it easier for pilots to safely and legally operate their drones, ensuring they are aware of and comply with airspace regulations.

Tools!

Drone Pilots have many cool digital tools that they can use, right on their phone! So know what they are before getting out there. You’ll need to submit your flight details, too! So, a lot of information.

Applying

Pilot Information:

• Drone Information and Registration Number

• Flight Details (location, date, and time)

• The maximum altitude you plan to fly

• Airspace Class you intend to fly in

• Purpose for your flight (commercial, recreational, etc.)

Their response time may take up to a few weeks, so make sure you apply for authorization from the ATC in advance.

You need to be approved before you start your mission. 

Very rarely, you might have to request permission from the ATC directly.

But most of the time, going through the FAA’s Drone Zone, or through LAANC, is the way.

Now, what about getting approved to fly in special use airspace, like, let’s say over a military base?

You’ll need to contact the controlling agency! 

A controlling agency is any organization that’s responsible for managing specific airspace to ensure safety and order. 

For example, Air Traffic Control at an airport is a controlling agency that directs aircraft to prevent collisions  and manage air traffic efficiently!

When in doubt, call the Controlling Agency! 

For example, if you want to fly in Restricted Airspace, you need to contact the controlling agency in charge of the area for specific permission!

The handy border of your sectional chart will list the right controlling agency to call. 

Right! You can find their contact information on the border of the Sectional Chart! Let’s move on. 

Do you remember what TFR stands for?!

Temporary Flight Restrictions! Now, when it comes to TFRs, you also need to contact the controlling agency.

This might be the FAA, a specific ATC facility, or another governmental agency like the Secret Service or a local police department, depending on the TFR.

Secret Service? Cool, right? 

And to fly in special use airspace, you need permission from whoever is controlling it! AKA, the ‘controlling agency.’  

And that information can be found on the Border of the Sectional Chart. 😉 

Speaking of Sectional Charts, questions about them make up a huge part of the test. Some say about 40%!

You might get questions showing a portion of a Sectional Chart, and asking if you’d need authorization to fly in that area.

Let’s solve some sectional chart problems together!

The turbulence warning light turned on! But don’t worry – we got this. 

What is the visibility around Crawford Airport?

Well first, what is visibility? It’s a core rule – the amount of distance you need to be able to see the sky in order to fly. And we talked about this early on!  

What is the visibility around Crawford Airport?

1. 0 SM

2. 1 SM

3. 3 SM

It’s a trick question! Oh, the tricky FAA. Why do you think that’s a trick question? 

Visibility requirements are always 3 SM, no matter where you are! Hah! Can’t fool us. 

And… Visibility requirements aren't found on a Sectional Chart. Good work! 

Remember!

The rule is that small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) always need at least 3 statute miles (SM) of visibility, regardless of location.

This question is about regulations (the core limits of flying), and not charts. But the FAA will ask you to refer to a chart to mislead you. 

Okay, let’s look at some more of the FAA’s trickery.

There’s a cluster of towers 13 statute miles south of Minot Airport. What’s the height of the tallest tower?

1. 2,676 ft MSL

2. 3,147 ft MSL

3. 1,031 ft AGL

This question isn’t just one! It is designed to test you on 3 different things. The horror!

1. How to use the Sectional Chart scale* to find a location 13 miles south of Minot Airport.

   1. *On a sectional chart, the scale shows how distances on the map relate to real life. Each little notch represents one minute of latitude or longitude and one mile in real life! 

2.  How to identify obstruction icons on the chart.

3. Understanding the difference between Mean Sea Level (MSL) and Above Ground Level (AGL) heights.

Remember, all obstructions on a sectional chart show both MSL and AGL heights. 

MSL is the height above sea level, and AGL (shown in parentheses) is the height above the ground.

What’s kind of confusing is figuring out which “cluster” of towers the FAA is referring to. 

Heads Up! Theoretically, we can also use MEFs for this! But since we don’t see any around, we have to decide the highest height for ourselves. That’s the FAA’s way of testing us! 

If you go 13 miles south of Minot Airport, there are several tower icons.

Most people would look at all these icons and choose the tallest.

However, the FAA wants us to focus on a specific "Group Obstruction" icon on the far right, which represents a small cluster of towers.

They said “which cluster of towers,” and not “which tower.” 

So, the correct answer is either 3,147 feet MSL or 1,081 feet AGL—both represent the tallest tower in that cluster. 

We should ignore the other tower icons to the left or west because the FAA does not consider them part of the "cluster."

So, remember! If you see the word “cluster”, look for a group obstruction!

Yay Clusters!!

Yum… clusters! It’s a good time to take a break, eat some clusters, and then continue answering some more questions. 

Stay hydrated! It’s going to be stormy weather up ahead. 

Are you ready for a brain workout? Let’s move on to the next question.  

If you are inspecting the high-intensity lights on top of the towers 5 1/2 nautical miles southwest of Savannah International airport, would you need prior authorization from ATC?

1. No, because you’d be under the shelf of Class C airspace

2. Yes, because you’d be operating in Class C airspace

3. Yes, because you’d be operating in Class B airspace

First, let’s remember a really important rule.

Part 107 regulations usually limit drone flights to 400 feet above ground level (AGL). 

However, you can fly higher if you stay within 400 feet of a tower or obstruction. You can even fly up to 400 feet above the top of that tower!

If that tower is high up, your drone can be too.

 But as long as you follow the rules. This question is asking: do you know the rules? 

Now, let’s find the towers that the question is referring to.

Problem Solving

If you are inspecting the high-intensity lights on top of the towers 5 1/2 nautical miles southwest of Savannah International airport, would you need prior authorization from ATC?

Great! We found the high-intensity light icon that looks South and West of the airport. 

In this situation, you're checking the high-intensity lights on top of a tower, which puts you at about 1,548 feet MSL (above sea level) or 1,534 feet AGL (above ground level), as it says on the chart. 

The airspace where these towers are located is Class C airspace from 1,300 feet MSL to 4,100 feet MSL (indicated by the "41/13" marking).

The towers are in Class C airspace! 

Since you'd be flying in controlled Class C airspace, you need to get prior authorization to operate your drone there!

All right, ready for the next one? 

Problem Solving

A railroad company has hired you to inspect its tracks between Hinton and Winnebago. Will you need prior airspace authorization to complete this flight?

1. No, because you’d only be flying in Class G airspace.

2. No, because you’d be flying under 700 ft. AGL floor of Class E airspace.

3. Yes, because the tracks pass through Class D controlled airspace.

Woah! How do we begin to tackle questions like this?

First, let’s find Hinton and Winnebago.

Now, find the railroad tracks that run between them. 

Great! Next, check to see if there’s any controlled airspace between them. Here, you’ll see a circle of Class D airspace.

It’s a little hard to see! But remember: Class D airspace starts at the surface.

So, if you're inspecting the tracks between these two places, you'll enter Class D airspace at some point, and will need to get prior authorization to do the inspection.

Does that make sense? Let’s move onto the next question. 

Problem Solving

You want to fly as high as allowed under Part 107 over the tower 4 NM NE of Pender Airport. What class airspace would you be operating in at that altitude?

Oh, my! Now, this question has so many layers! And that’s why we peel the onion so much in this class. Lots to peel! And onions make you cry. 

Before we reveal the answer, let’s just go over a few quick tips. 

For knowing where West and East are, always use the ‘WE’ method! 

• Step 1: Find the airport 

• Step 2: Go up 4 miles NE (North East) of it 

• Step 3: Take a look at what’s around! 

To find the North East, let’s use a compass as a reference.

We have to assume this  tower is somewhere between North (0 degrees) and East (90 degrees) on a compass! 

Helpful Tip! 

Did you know that each little notch on the L&L lines represent 1 mile?  That’s helpful info, too! 

And now, can you find the tower? 

Awesome!

You want to fly as high as allowed under Part 107 over the tower 4 NM NE of Pender Airport. What class airspace would you be operating in at that altitude?

1. Class G

2. Class D

3. Class E

Problem Solving

For this question, we have to remember that crucial rule again, about flying up to 400 ft over the top of a tower.

In this case, there's a tower 4 nautical miles northeast of Pender Airport that's 410 feet AGL.

If you fly "as high as allowed under Part 107," you'd be at 410 feet AGL + 400 feet, which equals 810 feet AGL.

Since Pender Airport is inside a marked area indicating that Class E airspace starts at 700 feet AGL, flying at 810 feet AGL would put you into Class E airspace.

You can tell by the fuzzy magenta circle!

Let’s take a look at a question that uses a Sectional Chart to test your knowledge of authorization and finding locations using latitude and longitude.

You have been hired to inspect the tower under construction at 46.9N and 98.6W, near Jamestown Regional (JMS). 

What must you receive prior to flying your unmanned aircraft in this area?

1. Authorization from the military

2. Authorization from ATC

3. Authorization from the National Park Service

I’ll help you out with a hint. When a tower is under construction, it has "UC" next to the icon on the chart.

You can find the tower’s location and height because you have the exact latitude and longitude coordinates.

This will take you to a tower 6 statute miles southeast (mostly east) of Jamestown Regional (JMS) airport.

The tower is within a fully enclosed magenta-dotted area, indicating Class E surface airspace.

This means you must get authorization from the ATC!

Let’s walk through one of the toughest questions yet. It has multiple parts to it, but you can handle it!

You might run into questions on the test that use this portion of a Sectional Chart. It’s really big and dense!

Let’s say you  got a job inspecting the towers that are 9 miles SW away from Dallas Airport.

What airspace would you be flying in, if you were flying at the highest height you’re allowed fly in?  

FAA’s Lingo: 

What airspace would you be operating in if flying at the maximum allowable altitude while inspecting the towers 9 statute miles SW of Dallas Executive airport (RBD)?

Maximum allowable altitude → flying the highest you can fly 

1. Class D

2. Class E

3. Class G

Ughh…. Where do we even start with something like this?

Let’s start off by finding Dallas Executive Airport.

First, scan the chart until you see “DALLAS”, and then check more closely in that area.

Nice work, detective! Then, let’s find the towers 9 statute miles southwest of the airport.

(Remember, a Statute Mile is just a fancy way of saying ‘miles.’ 

Phew! We found the towers 9 miles Southwest of Dallas Airport! (Or 9 SM SW for short 😂 ) 

Now, let’s see what kind of airspace there is here. We see the wacky shaped, solid blue lines of Class B, and the fuzzy magenta lines of Class E starting at 700 ft AGL.

Okay, now let’s figure out the “maximum allowable altitude”!

We keep going over this rule, but it helps us with so many questions. How high can you fly over the top of a tower?

400 feet above the ground, then 400 feet above a tower! 

The towers 9 statute miles southwest of Dallas Executive Airport are 2,549 feet above sea level (MSL) or 1,731 feet above ground level (AGL).

 If you fly "at the maximum allowable altitude," you'd be flying at 2,949 feet MSL or 2,131 feet AGL. We get those numbers by adding 400 ft to the tallest tower’s height!

That’s so high! Let’s check if there’s controlled airspace at this height. 

You see that 110/30? That’s a ‘Floor and Ceiling’ of airspace! Remember how we get that? Just add two zeros. 

So the ceiling is 110 (where it ends) and 30 is the floor (where it starts.) If we add two zeros to each, we know this part of Class B starts at 3,000 ft. MSL and ends at a whopping 11,000 feet MSL! 

So, 110/30 means Class B airspace starts at 3,000 feet MSL. Flying at 2,949 feet MSL is just below that, right? So, you're not in Class B airspace!

Let’s remember that airspace classes can stack. 

When you're flying at 2,949 feet MSL near these towers, you're in Class E airspace because this Class B airspace doesn't technically start until 3,000 feet MSL.

And remember, those fuzzy magenta lines that we saw showed we were in Class E starting at 700 feet. 

Super Tricky! How are you feeling? Would you like us to pause and explain something over again? 

That’s why it’s always a good idea to review! Like airspace, this info stacks on top of eachother. 

It's a really tricky question but helps understand how different airspace classes work together. 

And who knows, if you’re ever inspecting a tower that high, you should probably know how high you’re allowed to go! 

Oh man. One more question! The more practice we get, the better our odds!  

And let’s look at a much less crowded portion of a Sectional Chart!

You've been asked to inspect the tower 4 to 5 statute miles northwest of Cooperstown airport (S32).

How high must the cloud base be for you to be able to fly the maximum allowable height over the tower?

1. 650 ft AGL

2. 700 ft AGL

3. 1,150 ft AGL

This is also kind of a multi-step question. Let’s start by finding the airport, and then the tower that’s north west of it. 

You've been asked to inspect the tower 4 to 5 statute miles northwest of Cooperstown airport (S32).

How high must the cloud base be for you to be able to fly the maximum allowable height over the tower?

Nice work! So, here, we’re going to remember two important rules.

• One: you can fly 400 ft above the top of a tower.

• And two: you need to stay at least 500 ft below clouds. 

In this case, the tower near Cooperstown Airport is 250 feet above ground level (AGL). 

You've been asked to inspect the tower 4 to 5 statute miles northwest of Cooperstown airport (S32).

How high must the cloud base be for you to be able to fly the maximum allowable height over the tower?

If you fly "as high as allowed under Part 107," you'd add that 250 feet plus 400 feet, and that would be 650 feet AGL.

And “how high must the cloud base be” means where should the clouds start from for you to keep that 500 foot distance away from them.  

For this flight at 650 feet AGL to be safe and legal with clouds, the cloud base must be at least 1,150 feet above the ground (AGL), meaning the clouds would start at that height. 

How do we get that number? 

We get this number by adding 500 ft to 650 ft AGL!

All these questions are super tricky, but with practice, you’ll make progress!

Congratulations for completing the trickiest lesson in this course! You did an awesome job 

and we couldn’t be more proud. 

This stuff takes practice! You got this.  

Great work, everyone!