Airspace class

Airspace class is a category used to divide the sky into different zones, defined by both geographical boundaries and altitude levels.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) provides standardized airspace classifications that most countries follow.

The classification dictates the level of control and services provided to aircraft operating within that airspace.

Additionally, countries can establish special use airspace (SUA) zones with supplementary regulations to address national security concerns or safety considerations.

[1] The classes are fundamentally defined in terms of flight rules and interactions between aircraft and air traffic control (ATC).

Additionally, any aircraft operating within 5 nmi (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) of the zone must obtain a clearance.

VFR aircraft are no longer required to enter the airspace via set inbound/outbound points, however can be directed there by ATC.

The division into classes for the airspace of the Russian Federation was introduced for the first time in the history of Russia.

[11] Specific boundaries of airspaces are determined by the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation #199 of September 15, 2010.

The exceptions are some terminal radar service areas (TRSA), which have special rules and still exist in a few places.

The low-level speed limit of 250 knots (460 km/h; 290 mph) does not apply above 10,000 feet (3,000 m), so the visibility requirements are higher.

In these situations the VFR pilot only needs to see where his/her own aircraft is going, so visibility requirements are less stringent, and there is no designated minimum distance from clouds.

This is not a separate classification from the ATC-based classes; each piece of SUA is contained in one or more zones of letter-classed airspace.