Federal Aviation Regulations

14 CFR § 71 — Applicability

Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 annual edition. U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).

The regulation, in full

Sec.  71.1  Applicability.

    A listing for Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas; air traffic 
service routes; and reporting points can be found in FAA Order JO 
7400.11J, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, dated July 31, 
2024. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of 
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552 (a) and 1 CFR part 
51. The approval to incorporate by reference FAA Order JO 7400.11J is 
effective September 15, 2024, through September 15, 2025. During the 
incorporation by reference period, proposed changes to the listings of 
Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas; air traffic service routes; and 
reporting points will be published in full text as proposed rule 
documents in the Federal Register, unless there is good cause to forego 
notice and comment. Amendments to the listings of Class A, B, C, D, and 
E airspace areas; air traffic service routes; and reporting points will 
be published in full text as final rules in the Federal Register. 
Periodically, the final rule amendments will be integrated into a 
revised edition of the Order and submitted to the Director of the 
Federal Register for approval for incorporation by reference in this 
section. This incorporation by reference material is available for 
inspection at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and at the 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact the FAA at: 
Rules and Regulations Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; phone: (202) 267-8783. An 
electronic version of FAA Order JO 7400.11J is available on the FAA 
website at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications. A copy of FAA Order JO 
7400.11J may be inspected in Docket No. FAA-2024-2061; Amendment No. 71-
56, on www.regulations.gov. For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="80e6f2aee9eef3f0e5e3f4e9efeec0eee1f2e1aee7eff6">[email&#160;protected]</a> or visit 
www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.

[Docket FAA-2024-2061, Amdt. 71-56, 89 FR 68338, Aug. 26, 2024]

    Effective Date Note: By Docket FAA-2024-2061, Amdt. 71-56, 89 FR 
68338, Aug. 26,



2024, Sec.  71.1 was revised, effective Sept. 15, 2024 through Sept. 15, 
2025.

What this means for the knowledge test

Our own study notes for this section — reviewed through our AI instructional-review system, not by a certificated flight instructor. Not an authoritative source.

  • Class A airspace generally exists from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including flight level 600. Operations there are conducted under instrument flight rules, so a VFR-only private pilot does not fly in Class A.

    14 CFR 71 / AIM 3-2-2

Lessons that cover § 71

Practice questions on § 71 (1)

  • Class A airspace generally begins at which altitude?

    Answer 18,000 feet MSL

    Class A extends from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL600 and is flown under IFR only.

Practice the full question bank free →

14 CFR § 71 — Applicability · PPL Free Ground School