Air Space competition
 

OK - so - here's a task for you pilots to help someone out (me!):

Can anyone, in the SIMPLEST terms possible, describe the easiest way to remember and retain how the UK Airspace works - clearance wise, classifications and the differences? It just scares me a little how easily I mix them up and confuse things!

The way I remember it is simply that A is the highest controlled form, and G is not controlled at all. Everything else is somewhere in between and the details come from that:

A-E officially called "controlled", F-G officially called "uncontrolled"
A-D needs clearance to enter (A is actually IFR only, with a very few cases of SVFR occasionally granted), E-G no clearance required but radio contact with the controlling agency recommended.

A-E gives traffic information & separation in ever decreasing amounts for IFR and VFR. F-G no traffic information by default, although in some cases you can get a RIS/LARS.

VMC weather minima are the highest in C-E. Lower minima in B because everything is controlled anyway so less requirement for see and avoid, and lower minima in F-G because it's not busy (yeah right). The minima go up above a certain FL because people are allowed to fly faster there. I used to know the exact numbers for my exam, but forgot and put them on a sticker on my clipboard in case I ever need them.

Not all countries use all classes but since I fly on the continent with a CAA/JAA PPL, I thought it best to remember them all.

For practical purposes you just look up anything you're unsure of whilst planning the flight.

For impractical purposes like ... let me guess ... the Air Law exam ... I'm afraid you have to learn it.

I remember the fuction and type of airspace by flying from

Heathrow-Compton--RAF Valley--Dublin--Belfast--Prestwick--Machrihanish--Islay but only landing at Islay


It covers A - G in order, try looking at the flight on a map