National Airspace System

Controlled = Classes A, B, C, D, E (ATC services available). Uncontrolled = Class G.

With an ATC clearance inside a surface area, fly with 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds. At night the pilot must be instrument rated and the aircraft IFR-equipped (91.157).

The clearance is what buys the relief; without it, the class you are in sets the minimums:

Mode C is required:

• In and above Class B and C
• Within the 30-NM Mode C veil
• Above 10,000 MSL (excluding at/below 2,500 AGL)

ADS-B Out is required:

• Class A, B, and C
• Above the lateral limits of B/C up to 10,000 MSL
• Class E at/above 10,000 MSL (excluding at/below 2,500 AGL)
• Within the Mode C veil
• Over the Gulf at/above 3,000 MSL within 12 NM of the coast

Seven types (MCPRAWN):

• MOA (Military Operations Area): military training, use extreme caution
• Controlled Firing Area: not charted, activity stops when a spotter sees traffic
• Prohibited: flight prohibited
• Restricted: invisible hazards, need permission when active
• Alert: high training volume
• Warning: 3 NM+ off the coast
• NSA (National Security Area): voluntary avoidance, may be temporarily prohibited

Beyond the airspace classes and Special Use Airspace:

• Military Training Routes (MTRs)
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs, 91.137)
• Published VFR routes (the LA Basin has several)
• TRSAs
• Parachute jump areas

An aircraft in distress has right-of-way over all others; then balloon, glider, airship, then powered/airplane (aircraft towing or refueling have priority over other powered aircraft).

Same category:

• Converging: the aircraft on the other's right has right-of-way
• Head-on: both turn right
• Overtaking: pass on the right

• Below 10,000 MSL: 250 KIAS
• Below a Class B shelf or in a VFR corridor through B: 200 KIAS
• Within 4 NM of a Class C/D primary airport at/below 2,500 AGL: 200 KIAS

• Anywhere: high enough to land without undue hazard if the engine fails
• Congested: 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 2,000 ft horizontally
• Other than congested: 500 ft AGL, and not within 500 ft of any person, vessel, or structure

Above 3,000 ft AGL, by magnetic course: 0–179° = odd thousand + 500 (3,500; 5,500); 180–359° = even thousand + 500 (4,500; 6,500).

A runway incursion is any unauthorized presence on a runway. Prevent it with:

• A clear taxi plan and airport diagram
• Reading back all hold-short and runway-crossing instructions
• Positive identification of hold-short lines and signage
• Heightened vigilance at night and in low visibility
• A sterile cockpit while taxiing (AIM 4-3; SAFO 11004)

Four habits to state:

• Be aware of TFRs and special security areas
• Report suspicious activity to the TSA GA hotline (1-866-GA-SECURE)
• Secure your aircraft when parked
• Complete security-awareness training if your operation calls for it

IR routes are flown IFR; VR routes are flown VFR, and only when visibility is 5 SM or better with ceilings of at least 3,000 ft. The digit count tells you the altitude:

• Four digits (like VR1205): no segment of the route is above 1,500 ft AGL
• Three digits: at least one segment goes above 1,500 ft AGL

Either way, expect military traffic faster than 250 knots (AIM 3-5-2).

A TRSA is charted with a solid gray band (Palm Springs is the local example); TRACON radar services there are voluntary for VFR, but participation is encouraged. Published VFR routes appear on TACs to move VFR traffic around, under, or through complex airspace; the LA Basin has several named ones, including the Coastal Route, the Mini Route, and the Special Flight Rules Area over LAX.