Controlled airspace

Controlled airspace

Controlled airspace is an aviation term used to describe airspace in which ATC has the authority to control air traffic, the level of which varies with the different classes of airspace. Controlled airspace is established mainly for three different reasons:

  • high-volume air traffic areas, e.g. near airports
  • IFR traffic under ATC guidance
  • security, e.g. ADIZ

It is the opposite of uncontrolled airspace.

Controlled airspace usually exists in the immediate vicinity of busier airports, where aircraft used in commercial air transport flights are climbing out from or making an approach to the airport, or at higher levels where air transport flights would tend to cruise. Some countries also provide controlled airspace almost generally, however in most countries it is common to provide uncontrolled airspace in areas where significant air transport or military activity is not expected.

ICAO classifies airspace in seven classes from classes A to G. Controlled airspace is classes A to E, in order of decreasing ATC regulation of flights. Flight under instrument flight rules (IFR) is allowed in all controlled airspace (some countries also permit IFR in uncontrolled airspace); flight under visual flight rules (VFR) is permitted in all airspace except A. Most countries use only a subset of the seven ICAO classes to classify their airspace.

See also


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • controlled airspace — noun Clearly defined areas in which an aircraft may fly only if it is under radio instructions from air traffic control • • • Main Entry: ↑control …   Useful english dictionary

  • controlled airspace — An airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided to controlled flights (ICAO). The service to IFR (instrument flight rules) flights and to VFR (visual flight rules) flights is provided in accordance with the… …   Aviation dictionary

  • controlled airspace — An airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided to controlled flights …   Military dictionary

  • radar-controlled airspace — The controlled airspace within which radar control service is provided …   Aviation dictionary

  • Airspace — means the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory, including its territorial waters or, more generally, any specific three dimensional portion of the atmosphere. Controlled airspace exists where it is deemed… …   Wikipedia

  • airspace Class E — Airspace in which both IFR (instrument flight rules) and VFR (visual flight rules) flights are permitted. Only IFR flights are subject to air traffic control service and are separated from other IFR flights. All flights receive traffic… …   Aviation dictionary

  • airspace Class D — Airspace in which both IFR (instrument flight rules) and VFR (visual flight rules) flights are permitted and are subject to air traffic control service in this airspace. IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and receive traffic… …   Aviation dictionary

  • Airspace class — The world s navigable airspace is divided into three dimensional segments, each of which is assigned to a specific class. Most nations adhere to the classification specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and described… …   Wikipedia

  • airspace classification — All airspace is classified into two broad categories controlled and uncontrolled. Controlled airspace has defined dimensions within which air traffic control service is provided to IFR (instrument flight rules) and VFR (visual flight rules)… …   Aviation dictionary

  • airspace — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ controlled, restricted ▪ international, national ▪ enemy ▪ British, French, US …   Collocations dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”