Flight Environment

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - SAFETY OF FLIGHT
Safety must be #1 governing mental set for pilot. Not just for yourself but also
for you passengers, other pilots and people on the ground.
ISSUES: Collision Avoidance, Right-of-Way, Safe Altitudes, Taxiing, and

Control Exchange
COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Scan for traffic. Flying by visual

flight rules (VFR) and some are
flying by instrument flight rules
(IFR). Must avoid other airplanes.
Scan patterns below help (full left-
>right, or Center-Left to full right) in
10 degree segments.
HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE IF ANOTHER AIRPLANE IS ON A DIRECT,

COLLISION COURSE WITH YOU (DAY / NIGHT)?
Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

UNFORTUANTELY, it may
take that period of time just
to react (see below)
Standing 12 ft away
the illustration on the
right is how a T-33 jet
would appear out of
the windshield 
Be vigilant not only for other airplanes but also

for BIRDS
Statistics collected between 1990 and 2007 indicated there were 17,972 “reported” bird
strikes.
While more than 70 percent of the nearly 80,000 bird strikes reported in the U.S.
from 1990-2007 occurred below 500 feet AGL, about 2,000 occurred above 5,000
feet. One, Ruppell's Vulture was once struck at an altitude of 37,000 feet.
More than 31,000 of the 79,972 strikes (39%) reported from 1990 to 2007 occurred in
August, September and October, with each month collecting more than 10,000 reports.
Watch for birds in the pattern, and all phases of flight.

VISIBILITY CAN BE DIFFICULT
Empty Field Myopia – sky, devoid of contrast causes the eye to focus 30 feet
ahead. Focus on windshield and not on distant traffic.
CONTRAST
 Bad
Good 

KNOW YOUR AIRCRAFT “BLIND SPOTS”
Cessna (lower) can

not see Piper (above)
& visa versa !!

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE SEEN AND CAN SEE
OTHER TRAFFIC IN A “PRACTICE – TRAINING AREA”?
You should always perform “CLEARING TURNS” to see and be seen by
other aircraft.
View all directions
WHAT CAN TO DO TO BETTER BE SEEN AROUND AIRPORTS?

OPERATION “LIGHTS ON” - Especially around airports, TURN THE
LANDING LIGHTS ON to be visible to other aircraft.
Ground
Sport Pilot
School
Grund
2017
School 2008 Created by Steve Reisser
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Right of way rules are based on “least” to most maneuverable.
Balloons
Gliders
Towing / Refueling Aircraft
Airship
Rotorcraft
Airplanes

RIGHT-OF-WAY
Overtaking aircraft fly to right
Head on both deviate right.
Converging (like “stop” signs)

Aircraft to right has right of way
“In the pattern” – Lower and

slower has right of way. NOT
TO BE ABUSED. Cutting out
other pilot is rude & unsafe.
Ground
Sport Pilot
School
Ground
2017
MINIMUM ALTITUDES (SET BY FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS)
This include boats and seaplanes
HAZARDOUS TERRAINS: DO NOT FLY OVER OR AROUND MOUNTAINS,

OR ACROSS LARGE BODIES OF WATER WITHOUT SPECIAL TRAINING.
Ground
Sport Pilot
School
Ground
2017
TAXIING – CAREFUL OF WINDS – THE CAN FLIP AND AIRCRAFT
IF YOU DO NOT PROPERLY ADJUST FOR HEAD/TAIL/CROSS WINDS
Tail draggers
use UP elevators
for headwinds
and DOWN for
tailwinds keeping
tail “on-the-
ground.”

DUAL CONTROLS AND PASSING OF FLIGHT CONTROLS BETWEEN

INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT OR BETWEEN PILOT/CO-PILOT. MAKE SURE
EACH KNOW WHEN S/HE AS CONTROL IF TRANSFER OCCURS.
1. STUDENT OR PILOT PASSING CONTROL TO ANOTHER STATES:

“You have the flight controls.”
2. THE RECEIVING PILOT STATES:

“I have the flight controls.”
3. THE PASSING PILOT CONFIRMS EXCHANGE STATING
“You have the flight controls.”

AIRPORTS: Categories
• Commercial Service Airports—publicly owned airports that have at least 2,500
passenger boardings each calendar year and receive scheduled passenger service.
Passenger boardings refer to revenue passenger boardings on an aircraft in service in
air commerce whether or not in scheduled service. The definition also includes
passengers who continue on an aircraft in international flight that stops at an airport in
any of the 50 States for a non-traffic purpose, such as refueling or aircraft
maintenance rather than passenger activity. Passenger boardings at airports that
receive scheduled passenger service are also referred to as Enplanements.
• Cargo Service Airports—airports that, in addition to any other air transportation
services that may be available, are served by aircraft providing air transportation of
only cargo with a total annual landed weight of more than 100 million pounds.
“Landed weight” means the weight of aircraft transporting only cargo in intrastate,
interstate, and foreign air transportation. An airport may be both a commercial service
and a cargo service airport.
• Reliever Airports—airports designated by the FAA to relieve congestion at
Commercial Service Airports and to provide improved general aviation access to the
overall community. These may be publicly or privately-owned.
• General Aviation Airports — the remaining airports are commonly described as
General Aviation Airports. This airport type is the largest single group of airports in the
U.S. system. The category also includes privately owned, public use airports that
enplane 2500 or more passengers annually and receive scheduled airline service.

AIRPORTS: Types
There are two types of airports—towered and nontowered. These types can be further
subdivided to:
Civil Airports—airports that are open to the general public.

Military/Federal Government airports—airports operated by the military, National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), or other agencies of the Federal
Government.
Private Airports—airports designated for private or restricted use only, not open to the
general public
Towered Airport
A towered airport has an operating control tower. Air traffic control (ATC) is responsible
for providing the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic at airports where the type
of operations and/or volume of traffic requires such a service. Pilots operating from a
towered airport are required to maintain two-way radio communication with ATC and to
acknowledge and comply with their instructions. Pilots must advise ATC if they cannot
comply with the instructions issued and request amended instructions. A pilot may
deviate from an air traffic instruction in an emergency, but must advise ATC of the
deviation as soon as possible.

Nontowered Airport AIRPORTS: Types
A nontowered airport does not have an operating control tower. Two-way radio communications are not required,
although it is a good operating practice for pilots to transmit their intentions on the specified frequency for the
benefit of other traffic in the area. The key to communicating at an airport without an operating control tower is
selection of the correct common frequency. The acronym CTAF, which stands for Common Traffic Advisory
Frequency, is synonymous with this program. A CTAF is a frequency designated for the purpose of carrying out
airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport without an operating control tower. The CTAF may
be a Universal Integrated Community (UNICOM), MULTICOM, Flight Service Station (FSS), or tower frequency
and is identified in appropriate aeronautical publications. UNICOM is a nongovernment air/ground radio
communication station that may provide airport information at public use airports where there is no tower or FSS.
On pilot request, UNICOM stations may provide pilots with weather information, wind direction, the recommended
runway, or other necessary information. Nontowered airport traffic patterns are always entered at pattern altitude.
How you enter the pattern depends upon the direction of arrival. The preferred method for entering from the
downwind side of the pattern is to approach the pattern on a course 45 degrees to the downwind leg and join the
pattern at midfield.
There are several ways to enter the pattern if you’re coming from the upwind leg side of the airport. One method of
entry from the opposite side of the pattern is to announce your intentions and cross over midfield at least 500 feet
above pattern altitude (normally 1,500 feet AGL.) However, if large or turbine aircraft operate at your airport, it is
best to remain 2,000 feet AGL so you are not in conflict with their traffic pattern. When well clear of the pattern—
approximately 2 miles–scan carefully for traffic, descend to pattern altitude, then turn right to enter at 45° to the
downwind leg at midfield. An alternate method is to enter on a midfield crosswind at pattern altitude, carefully scan
for traffic, announce your intentions, and then turn downwind. [Figure 14-3] This technique should not be used if
the pattern is busy. Always remember to give way to aircraft on the preferred 45° entry and to aircraft already
established on downwind.
In either case, it is vital to announce your intentions, and remember to scan outside. Before joining the downwind
leg, adjust your course or speed to blend into the traffic. Adjust power on the downwind leg, or sooner, to fit into the
flow of traffic. Avoid flying too fast or too slow. Speeds recommended by the airplane manufacturer should be used.
They will generally fall between 70 to 80 knots for fixed-gear singles and 80 to 90 knots for high-performance
retractable.
THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - AIRPORTS
THE TRAFFIC PATTERN
1000 AGL

Standard Patterns are “TURNS TO THE LEFT” .
Non-Standard Patterns are “TURNS TO THE RIGHT”.

Communication

Uncontrolled Airport Best Practices and Communications

Wake Turbulence from heavy aircraft must be avoided during landings and take-offs

RUNWAYS are marked by

magnetic heading to nearest 10
degree heading.

Aircraft communications (CTAF),
Windsock, Wind Tee, or Tetrahedron
AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT WILL PROVIDE A WAY TO DETERMINE WINDS
AND ALL YOU TO DETERMINE WHICH RUNWAY TO LAND AND TAKE OFF
“THE SEGMENTED CIRCLE” TELLS YOU THE TRAFFIC PATTER FOR
EACH RUNWAY.

AIRPORTS
WHAT RUNWAY? Want to land into the wind. How can you tell?
CTAF, Unicom or EYEBALL The Windsock, The Wind Tee, or Tetrahedron

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - AIRPORT VISUAL GUIDES
LIGHTING – BEACONS TELL YOU NOT ONLY WHERE THE AIRPORT IS BUT
ALSO THE “TYPE” OF AIRPORT (CIVILIAN, MILITARY, HELIPORT, WATER)
ALTERNATING
GREEN-WHITE ALTERNATING
GREEN-YELLOW
ALTERNATING ALTERNATING
GREEN-WHITE-WHITE GREEN-YELLOW-WHITE

Pilot Controlled Runway Lighting
Uncontrolled (non-tower) Airports
Ground School 2017

CONTROLLED AIRPORTS – COMMUNICATIONS WITH ATC
ATIS (AUTOMATED TERMINAL INFORMATION SERVICE)
CLEARANCE DELIVERY (IFR/VFR)
GROUND CONTROL
CONTROL TOWER
DEPARTURE CONTROL
APPROACH CONTROL
ATC can also use a “Light Gun” signal

to direct you if you have radio failure 
Communication frequencies on
charts and AFD
IF REQUIRED…
USE “NOISE
ABATEMENT
PROCEDURES”
FOUND IN THE
AFD.
Ground
Sport Pilot
School
Ground
2017
RUNWAY MARKINGS
PRECISION RUNWAYS HAVE IFR GLIDESLOPES

Number of Runway Threshold Stripes
Runway Width Number of Stripes
60 feet (18 m) 4
75 feet (23 m) 6
100 feet (30 m) 8
150 feet (45 m) 12
200 feet (60 m) 16

DISPLACEMENT THRESHOLD BLAST PAD/STOPWAY

CLOSED
RUNWAYS
Marked with
“X”

AIRPORT SIGNS

Runway Holding Position Marking

Noncompliance with a runway holding position marking may
result in the FAA filing a Pilot Deviation against you. Runway
holding position markings consist of four yellow lines, two solid
and two dashed, that are painted on the surface and extend
across the width of the taxiway to indicate where the aircraft
should stop when approaching a runway. These markings are
painted across the entire taxiway pavement, are in alignment,
and are collocated with the holding position sign.
WHEN “ILS” OPERATIONS IN PROGRESS, HOLD LINE FURTHER AWAY FROM ACTIVE RUNWAY
Know where to taxi by signage: Deviation from taxi instructions will get you “violated”.

THE “RAMP” – PARKING. OFTEN AIRCRAFT PARKED BY HAND SIGNALS

RUNWAY INCURSION AVOIDANCE – “Any occurrence at an airport involving
an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object on the ground that creates a collision
hazard or results in loss of separation with an aircraft taking off or intending to
take off, landing or intending to land”.
AVOIDANCE
1. Know the airports (study AFD) before you fly.

2. Complete as many checklists as possible before taxi.
3. Use clear communications (use read back to verify).
4. While taxiing, know where you are and pay attention.
5. Ask for assistance if you are unsure of anything.
6. At run-up, position to see landing aircraft (avoid pulling out in front of aircraft).
7. Monitor appropriate frequencies.
8. After landing, stay on tower frequency until instructed to change
9. Use taxi/landing lights to be visible to the traffic.
10. Report deteriorating or hard to read signs so operators can repair.
11. Make sure you understand “land and hold short operations” (LAHSO) if in effect.

LAHSO means you may not use the entire runway because of other traffic that is
Likely to cross your active runway as shown above.
Airport HOT SPOTS: Areas prone to conflict are marked on AFD airport diagrams

GREAT INTERNET REVIEW AND ILLUSTRATIONS ON ALL AIRPORT OPS 
http://flash.aopa.org/asf/runwaySafety/html/index/runwaySafety_expanding.htm
VISUAL APPROACH SLOPE INDICATORS
VASI


APPROACH LIGHTING SYSTEMS

APPROACH LIGHTING SYSTEMS

Runway Status Lights integrates airport lighting equipment with
approach and surface surveillance systems to provide a visual signal
to pilots and vehicle operators indicating that it is unsafe to enter/cross
or begin takeoff on runway. The system is fully automated based on
inputs from surface and terminal surveillance systems. Airport
surveillance sensor inputs are processed through light control logic
that commands in-pavement lights to illuminate red when there is
traffic on or approaching the runway. This system is now active at
Orlando International Airport (KMCO)
Runway Entrance Lights (REL) provide signal to aircraft crossing

entering runway from intersecting taxiway.
Takeoff Hold Lights (THL) provide signal to aircraft in position for
takeoff’.
VIDEO http://www.faa.gov/tv/?mediaId=349
Ground School 2017

Ground
Sport Pilot
School
Ground
2017
Sources of Airport Data
Aeronautical Charts
Aeronautical charts provide specific information on airports. Chapter 16, “Navigation,” contains an
excerpt from an aeronautical chart and an aeronautical chart legend, which provides guidance on
interpreting the information on the chart.
Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility Directory)

The Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility Directory) provides the most comprehensive
information on a given airport. It contains information on airports, heliports, and seaplane bases
that are open to the public. The Chart Supplement U.S. is published in seven books, which are
organized by regions and are revised every 56 days. The Chart Supplement U.S. is also available
digitally at www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav. We will go into detail later in the course.
Notices to Airmen (NOTAM)
Time-critical aeronautical information, which is of a temporary nature or not sufficiently known in

advance to permit publication, on aeronautical charts or in other operational
publications receives immediate dissemination by the NOTAM system. The NOTAM information
could affect your decision to make the flight. It includes such information as taxiway and runway
closures, construction, communications, changes in status of navigational aids, and other
information essential to planned en route, terminal, or landing operations. Exercise good judgment
and common sense by carefully regarding the information readily available in NOTAMs. Prior to any
flight, pilots should check for any NOTAMs that could affect their intended flight.
Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS)
The Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is a recording of the local weather conditions
and other pertinent non-control information broadcast on a local frequency in a looped format. It is
normally updated once per hour but is updated more often when changing local conditions warrant.
Charts
Types used by Sport/Private Pilots
Sectional Chart 1:500,000 inches PRIMARY VFR
(detailed)
World Aeronautical Chart: 1: 1,000,000
(the larger the coverage-the less the detail)
Terminal Area Chart (TAC) 1:250,000 inches
May also have VFR Flyway Planning Chart printed on
back of the TAC.
Low Enroute Charts: Radio Navigation – no ground
details other than transmitters. Will review in radio
navigation section. Primary chart for instrument rated
pilots. PRIMARY IFR (Radio Navigation/Altitudes)
Ground School 2017
Latitudes and Longitudes

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - AERONAUTICAL CHARTS
LATITUDE & LONGITUDE
North Pole = 90 N Latitude Prime Meridian=0 Longitude
/\
G
r
Equator = 0 Latitude e
e
n
\/ w
South Pole = 90 S Latitude i
c
h
180 W 180 E
E
n
g
l
180W<->180E Longitude intersect on a
International Date Line n
d
Ground
Sport Pilot
School
Ground
2017
CHARTS
TYPES OF CHART
VFR CHARTS
Sectional Charts: Primary emphasis of this course. FAA Tutorial can be
found at
http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guid
e/
Terminal Area Charts: Enlarged region of Class B airspaces
World Aeronautical Charts: Twice the scale of Sectional Charts used for
planning.
IFR Charts
Low Enroute Charts
High Enroute Charts
U.S. Terminal Procedural Charts

SECTIONAL CHARTS
Ground
Sport Pilot
School
Ground
2017
THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - AERONAUTICAL CHART
KEEP YOUR CHARTS CURRENT

Aeronautical information changes rapidly, so it is important that pilots check the effective
dates on each aeronautical chart and publication. To avoid danger, it is important to
always use current editions and discard obsolete charts and publications. To confirm that
a chart or publication is current, refer to the next scheduled edition date printed on the
cover. Pilots should also check Aeronautical Chart Bulletins and NOTAMs for important
updates between chart and publication cycles that are essential for safe flight.

For detail examples, see the Jewel box
Filename: VFR_Symbols.pdf
VFR AERONAUTICAL CHART SYMBOLS

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION
AIRPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
AIRSPACE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CHART LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
CULTURE
RAILROADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
ROADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
POPULATED PLACES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
BOUNDARIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
MISCELLANEOUS CULTURAL FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
HYDROGRAPHY
SHORELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
LAKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
RESERVOIRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
STREAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
MISCELLANEOUS HYDROGRAPHIC FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
RELIEF
CONTOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ELEVATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
UNRELIABLE RELIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SHADED RELIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
AREA RELIEF FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
MISCELLANEOUS RELIEF FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Ground School 2017

Control Not-hard surface

Towers
“Blue” Closed
(Airspace
Types “B”,
“C”, “D”)
Seaplane
Ticks=Fuel base
Exact
runway
layouts
for airports
with 1 rwy
Military (AFB, >8,069 ft.
NAS, AFF)
Private
Airports
®
CTAF,
Unicom,
Multicom
Surveillance
Non-Federal CT Radar
Available

121.5
EMERGENCY
FSS 122.2 and
TWEB EFAS 122.0 always
HIWAS
Available even though
It is not listed.
Bold Box =
FSS on field
Underlined
= no voice
“R” indicate FSS

FSS name in
Non-Directional
doesn’t send &
receive. Just [ ] means control
receives – sends over
at another location Beacon (NDB)
navigation frequency
TOPOGRAPHY

MSL
vs
(AGL)
CAUTION


TERMINAL AREA CHARTS (Class B Airspaces) 2x detail of Sectional chart

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - VFR AREA CHARTS
TWICE the detail

of Sectionals

ARGONIC LINES: SEGMENTED RED
These are important to navigation as they indicate a value

added (W) or subtracted (E) from course due to magnetic
variation. They are shown on the sectional as vertical red
segmented lines.

AIRSPACE
A – At and Above 18000 (IFR)

C
O
B – Busiest airports
N T
T O
R
O
W
E
C – Congested
L
L
R
D – Direct Communications
E E – Just about everywhere
G – UNCONTROLLED (below 700-1200 AGL)
D
Ground
Sport Pilot
School
Ground
2017
10,000 & above
Mode C transponder
Ground School 2017

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - AIRSPACE
U
N
C
O
N
T
R
O
L
L
E
D

Controlled Airspace
Controlled airspace is a generic term that covers the different classifications of airspace
and defined dimensions within which air traffic control (ATC) service is provided in
accordance with the airspace classification. Controlled airspace consists of:
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D
Class E

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - CONTROLLED AIRSPACE E=MAGENTA
No CT

In this example…
E sits atop G-Airspace at
this airport to 700ft
(Fuzzy side)
E ends on the
But G may continue
on the outside
(Hard side)
Stops at 1,200 on
Victory Highways
Blue lines represent
radio navigation routes.
In mountainous areas E and G

intermingle. Note in this case
the lateral airspace of E is not
magenta but blue
Ground School 2017

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - CONTROLLED AIRSPACE
Radio?
DO BEFORE
BLUE
If “D” not
continuous,
it reverts to
all “E’
T
------
SRC
If you see
above it
Is rises to
The floor
of the type
airspace
above it.
Usually B


Published VFR Routes Approaching and Thru Class B
On the reverse side of some. eventually all, Terminal Area

Charts (TAC) are Special Airspace Rules to facilitate
approach and transition VFR traffic into our through
Class B airspace.
They include:
VFR Flyway Planning Charts,
VFR Corridors, and
VFR Transitions Routes

VFR Flyway Planning Charts
These airways are designed

to help VFR pilots avoid major
controlled traffic flows.
Per the AIM, “for use by pilots

in planning flights into, out of,
through or near complex
terminal airspace to avoid
Class B airspace. An ATC
clearance is NOT required to
fly these routes.” UNLESS IT
ENTERS CLASS B
AIRSPACE.
ATLANTA
VFR Corridors
A VFR Corridor is defined as

airspace through Class B
airspace, with defined vertical
and lateral boundaries, in
which aircraft my operate
without an ATC clearance or
communication with air traffic
control.. This type of structure
is rare do to ever increasing
volume of air traffic in Class B
airspace.

VFR Transition Routes
A VFR Transition Route is defined

as a specific course depicted on the
TAC for transitioning a specific
Class B Airspace. These routes
include specific ATC assigned
altitudes, and pilots must obtain an
ATC clearance prior to entering
Class B airspace on the route.
An example of the TAMPA TAC

“Bridge Transition” is shown on the
following frame.

LAX VFR Corridor has been replaced
by 5 Transition Routes
LAX VFR Flyway Planning Routes

ABOVE = “E’

TRSA Terminal Radar Service Area
Dark Rings
Think half-way
between D&C
Airspace in which radar and air traffic control services are made available to pilots flying under
instrument flight rules or (optionally) visual flight rules for the purposes of maintaining aircraft
separation. TRSAs are most often encountered surrounding busy U.S. airports. In recent years
many of them have gradually been replaced by Class B or Class C airspace. Terminal Radar
Service Area was established as part of a program to create Terminal Radar stations at selected
airports. Because these were never subject to the rulemaking process of 14 CFR Part 91, they do
not actually fit into any of the existing U.S. classifications of airspace and have been classified as
non-part 71 airspaces. While operating in these airspaces a pilot who choses to participate
will receive radar services, but participation is not required.
TRSAs will encompass a primary airport with a class "D" designation and the TRSA will be above
other controlled airspace (Typically Class E Airspace) with a typical floor of 700 feet or 1,200 feet
AGL (Above Ground Level).
TRSAs are shown on VFR (Visual Flight Rules) "Sectional" charts as a solid black/gray
Ground School 2017
SPEED LIMITS?
Below 250 knots (288 mph)
Within airspace types C / D, or

below 2,500 within 4 nm of airport, or
any area under type B = 200 knots (230)
VFR or “Special VFR”
What are visibility and ceiling restrictions for VFR and SVFR?
VFR: 3sm & 1000 AGL ceiling
SVFR: visibility dropped to 1sm
How do you determine if it is allowed?

Identify type,
base-ceiling
of each. Rwy
04
What is above, &
How high? 22
ceiling

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT – AIRSPACE SUMMARY

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE
ALERTS, MOA, WARNINGS, RESTRICTED, PROHIBITED, CONTROLLED-

FIRING, NSA, TFR AREAS LISTED IN LEGENDS (EXCEPT TFR)





NATIONAL SECURITY AREA

10sm


TFR –Short term are not published. Get notices from AOPA or check NOTAMS.


Parachute Jump Aircraft Area

ZPH SFC-13,500 MSL




What used to be a temporary ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) is now a permanent FRZ
(Flight Restricted Zone) surrounded by an SFRA (Special Flight Rules Area). An FAA final
rule has established the new airspace configuration around the nation's capital. The FRZ is a 15-
nautical-mile-radius ring emanating from Washington National Airport. Flights within the FRZ are
restricted to those authorized by the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Complex, with many

embedded types of
airspace. Significant
requirements for both
uncontrolled and
controlled airspaces –
even pattern work
(T&Gs) have ATC, and
special transponder
requirements.

Laser Warning: Red, Red, Green
Multiple locations-won’t damage eyes or equipment
You will see it day or night !!
Ground School 2017 Steve Reisser – 2009

Next Session –
The Flight Computer/Navigation
Plotter
Study for exam on The Flight Environment
BRING YOUR E6B AND PN-1
“That’s All Folks”

Flight Environment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Flight Environment

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Flight Environment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THE FLIGHT ENVIRONMENT - SAFETY OF FLIGHT

ISSUES: Collision Avoidance, Right-of-Way, Safe Altitudes, Taxiing, and

Scan for traffic. Flying by visual

HOW CAN YOU DETERMINE IF ANOTHER AIRPLANE IS ON A DIRECT,

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Be vigilant not only for other airplanes but also

Watch for birds in the pattern, and all phases of flight.

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

VISIBILITY CAN BE DIFFICULT

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

KNOW YOUR AIRCRAFT “BLIND SPOTS”

Cessna (lower) can

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

View all directions

WHAT CAN TO DO TO BETTER BE SEEN AROUND AIRPORTS?

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Overtaking aircraft fly to right

Head on both deviate right.

Converging (like “stop” signs)

“In the pattern” – Lower and

MINIMUM ALTITUDES (SET BY FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS)

This include boats and seaplanes

HAZARDOUS TERRAINS: DO NOT FLY OVER OR AROUND MOUNTAINS,

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

DUAL CONTROLS AND PASSING OF FLIGHT CONTROLS BETWEEN

1. STUDENT OR PILOT PASSING CONTROL TO ANOTHER STATES:

2. THE RECEIVING PILOT STATES:

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Civil Airports—airports that are open to the general public.

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

RUNWAYS are marked by

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017

ATC can also use a “Light Gun” signal

PRECISION RUNWAYS HAVE IFR GLIDESLOPES

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Runway Holding Position Marking

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

THE “RAMP” – PARKING. OFTEN AIRCRAFT PARKED BY HAND SIGNALS

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

1. Know the airports (study AFD) before you fly.

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser

Ground School 2017 Created by Steve Reisser