Sport Pilot Talk

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

The National Airspace system is easy to understand (once you understand it).

It has been brought to my attention that even flight instructors do not understand it and must therefore be teaching it wrong. Here is THE place to describe in your own words, suggest references or any means possible to simplify “Airspace” for students and instructors.

Here is a diagram I did for an FAA handbook that I feel does the best job of describing the Airspace G for Ground and E for everywhere plus the classic FAA diagram of the towered airspace which I modified to be even better :shock: .

http://aviation-elearning.com/airspace/

Ask your questions and get answers from the experts

RyanC · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2010 4:06 pm Post subject:

That first graphics is much better than the FAA version. Thanks for posting this!

saintlfd · Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 47 Location: ARGYLE, TEXAS

Great graphics, Paul! Very helpful for an aspiring SP like me.

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

Because Airspace is such a tough one for people, and this one single diagram has been so popular, I am trying to figure out how to provide some type of on line "Airspace" course where everybody will have somewhere to go to learn it.

bryancobb · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:54 pm Post subject: Reasons

Paul, and everybody interested in this thread, a pilot's understanding of the way the national airspace system works, really gets a boost after being in IFR weather, and on an IFR flight plan, for 20 or 30 flights.

The airspace was set-up for IFR, and passenger service. The purpose is solely to keep these flights from conflicting with each other, and to KEEP VFR TRAFFIC from creating a dangerous situation for them.

If only VFR Flying occurred, no airspace system would be reqired because see-and-avoid would be adequate.

My point is this. I encourage all sport pilots to accompany a pilot friend on an IFR flight and watch what ATC is doing and how the puzzle fits together.

These color graphics will begin to make a lot more sense when they become a picture of what you experienced, rather than just a picture of some FAA created puzzle.

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

Flying IFR to learn sport pilot airspace? Interesting concept.

What specific concepts (building blocks) would a sport pilot applicent learn flying IFR verses VFR into towered airspace for the airspace endorsement? How is IFR flight helpful?

Is this part of your training program? Did it make a difference.? What did they learn?

bryancobb · Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 4:02 pm Post subject: It's Not

Paul,

It is of no value. Wouldn't help a Sport Pilot Understand at all.

3Dreaming · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 301 Location: noble, IL USA

bryancobb wrote: Paul,

It is of no value. Wouldn't help a Sport Pilot Understand at all.

Bryan, I understand where you were going with it. Understanding why the airspace system is set up the way it is would help. Knowing that class "E" comes down to 700 AGL is one thing. Knowing why it comes down is another. Understanding why we have cloud clearances, instead of just knowing what the cloud clearances are. In my mind knowing why something is done the way it is would be better than just knowing it is that way.

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

3Dreaming wrote: In my mind knowing why something is done the way it is would be better than just knowing it is that way.
Yes this is the goal of all flight instructors is to have the student pilot understand why the Class E airspace drops from 1200 AGL to 700 AGL to ground level (as an example) as you approach airports. It is not some meaningless puzzle the FAA has put together, it has reason and logic "why" it drops, simply - cloud clearances. No flying right next to clouds (class G airspace) near airports makes sense.

Same as the towered B and C airspace drops as you approach the airport.

Both diagrams at www.aviation-eLearning.com/airspace enforce this hopefully to the "understanding" level of learning.

3Dreaming · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 301 Location: noble, IL USA

Paul Hamilton wrote: 3Dreaming wrote: In my mind knowing why something is done the way it is would be better than just knowing it is that way.
Yes this is the goal of all flight instructors is to have the student pilot understand why the Class E airspace drops from 1200 AGL to 700 AGL to ground level (as an example) as you approach airports. It is not some meaningless puzzle the FAA has put together, it has reason and logic "why" it drops, simply - cloud clearances. No flying right next to clouds (class G airspace) near airports makes sense.

Same as the towered B and C airspace drops as you approach the airport.

Both diagrams at www.aviation-eLearning.com/airspace enforce this hopefully to the "understanding" level of learning.

The diagrams show what it is, but no mention of why it is that way. Like Bryan said knowing that the system is built around IFR and commercial trafic makes understanding "why" easier. The class "E" airspace drops to 700 AGL around an airport because it has an instrument approach procedure. You don't want to be just clear of clouds when an airplane pops out on an IFR appraoch.

Paul Hamilton · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 351 Location: Reno/Tahoe Nevada

3Dreaming wrote: The diagrams show what it is, but no mention of why it is that way.

I agree completly. I explain these "why" concepts to my students to understand airspace and it is a big help.

Have added an explination of "why" to my diagrams at
http://aviation-elearning.com/airspace/
Hopefully this will become a resource for all pilots learning airspace.

Thanks for your comments.