From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Areas served by air traffic control
Controlled airspace
is
airspace
of defined dimensions within which
air traffic control
(ATC) services are provided.
[1]
[2]
The level of control varies with different
classes of airspace
. Controlled airspace usually imposes higher weather minimums than are applicable in uncontrolled airspace.
[3]
It is the opposite of
uncontrolled airspace
.
Controlled airspace is established mainly for three different reasons:
Controlled airspace usually exists in the immediate vicinity of busier airports, where aircraft used in commercial air transport flights are climbing out from or making an approach to the airport, or at higher
levels
where air transport flights would tend to cruise. Some countries also provide controlled airspace almost generally, however in most countries it is common to provide uncontrolled airspace in areas where significant air transport or military activity is not expected.
[
citation needed
]
The
International Civil Aviation Organization
divides airspace into seven classes, from
A to G
, in order of decreasing ATC regulation of flights. Classes A to E are controlled airspace. Flight under
instrument flight rules
(IFR) is allowed in all controlled airspace. Some countries also permit IFR in uncontrolled airspace). Flight under
visual flight rules
(VFR) is permitted in all airspace except class A.
[4]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]