Section 2: Airspace & Requirements (15–25%)

Understanding where you can and cannot fly is critical to avoiding collisions with manned aircraft.

Controlled Airspace (Classes B, C, D, and E)

Remote pilots must obtain prior Air Traffic Control (ATC) authorization before operating in controlled airspace.

• Class B (Solid Blue): "Big" airports. The busiest hubs with tiered altitudes.
• Class C (Solid Magenta): "Congested" airports. Typically has a 5 NM surface area and a 10 NM shelf.
• Class D (Dashed Blue): "Dialog" airports. Smaller towered airports, extending from surface to 2,500 feet MSL.
• Class E (Surface): Designated by a dashed magenta line. Authorization is required to fly drones in the surface area designated for an airport.

Uncontrolled Airspace (Class G)

Class G is the only uncontrolled airspace. No ATC authorization is required for operations under 400 feet AGL.

Sectional Chart Symbology

• MSL vs. AGL: On sectional charts, all numbers indicate altitude in Mean Sea Level (MSL) unless they are in parentheses, which indicates Above Ground Level (AGL).
• MTRs (Military Training Routes): Identified as "VR" or "IR." Routes with 4-digit numbers (e.g., VR1234) are at or below 1,500 feet AGL. Routes with 3-digit numbers (e.g., IR123) have segments above 1,500 feet AGL.
• MEF (Maximum Elevation Figure): Bold numbers in a chart quadrant representing the highest terrain or obstacle in that quadrangle.

Special Use Airspace (SUA) - "MCPRAWN"

Includes Prohibited (P), Restricted (R), Warning (W), Military Operations Areas (MOA), Alert (A), and Controlled Firing Areas (CFA). Restricted areas often contain invisible hazards like artillery firing or guided missiles.

"MCPRAWN" is a mnemonic used by pilots to remember the seven types of Special Use Airspace (SUA) designated to separate military or hazardous activities from other air traffic. The acronym stands for: Military Operations Area (MOA), Controlled Firing Area (CFA), Prohibited Area, Restricted Area, Alert Area, Warning Area, and National Security Area (NSA).

CFI Notebook +3

Key Components of MCPRAWN:

• Military Operations Area (MOA): Separates IFR traffic from non-hazardous military training activities.
• Controlled Firing Area (CFA): Activities are suspended immediately when a spotter aircraft or ground observer detects an aircraft, ensuring no hazard to non-participating aircraft.
• Prohibited Area: Flight is prohibited for security or national welfare reasons (e.g., White House).
• Restricted Area: Contains unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft; entry requires express permission from the controlling agency.
• Alert Area: Depicted to inform pilots of areas with a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity.
• Warning Area: Airspace, similar to restricted areas, that extends 3 NM outward from the U.S. coast, containing hazards to non-participating aircraft.
• National Security Area (NSA): Established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security and safety of ground facilities.