The Airspace System at a Glance

US airspace is divided into controlled and uncontrolled airspace. Controlled airspace is where air traffic control can provide separation and services; it is labeled Classes A, B, C, D, and E. Uncontrolled airspace is Class G. A simple way to remember the controlled classes is that they run from the most restrictive (Class A, high altitude, instrument flight only) down to the least restrictive controlled class (Class E). Class G sits underneath, closest to the ground, where ATC does not separate traffic and you are responsible for seeing and avoiding other aircraft. As a VFR private pilot you will spend most of your time in Classes E and G, occasionally transiting B, C, or D near busier airports. Where Class E BEGINS is a favorite chart question, and the sectional depicts it exactly: a dashed magenta line encloses Class E that starts at the SURFACE (protecting an instrument approach at an airport); inside a shaded MAGENTA vignette, Class E starts at 700 feet AGL; outside the magenta shading — including areas bounded by shaded BLUE vignette — Class E starts at 1,200 feet AGL; and unless otherwise depicted, Class E also exists at and above 14,500 feet MSL. Class G fills the space below whichever Class E floor applies. Read the floors from the shading, not from memory of one airport.