Airspace Classes for VFR Pilots

The airspace class tells you whether you may fly VFR there, which clearance and radio you need, and which air traffic service you receive. Each Member State decides which class applies to which airspace.

Airspace classes A to G at a glance

Only IFR flights are allowed in Class A. The table shows what awaits you in B to G.

Class	VFR allowed	Clearance	Radio	Separation for VFR flights
A	no	not applicable	not applicable	not applicable
B	yes	yes	yes	from all flights
C	yes	yes	yes	from IFR flights
D	yes	yes	yes	none
E	yes	no	no, except in an RMZ	none
F	yes	no	no, except in an RMZ	none
G	yes	no	no, except in an RMZ	none

An ATC clearance is an authorisation to proceed under conditions specified by an ATC unit. Separation means that ATC keeps flights apart, vertically by assigning different levels or horizontally by distance or by separate routes and areas. RMZ stands for radio mandatory zone and is explained below.

Classes B, C and D: clearance and radio required

In B, C and D every flight is subject to an ATC clearance, and continuous air-ground voice communication is required for all flights. All VFR flights there receive air traffic control service.

• B: ATC separates all flights from each other.
• C: ATC separates you as a VFR flight from IFR flights. You receive traffic information about other VFR traffic and, on request, traffic avoidance advice.
• D: There is no separation for VFR flights. You receive traffic information about all other flights and, on request, traffic avoidance advice.

Traffic information alerts you to other known or observed traffic that may be close to your position or intended route. Traffic avoidance advice names manoeuvres that help you avoid a collision. As pilot-in-command (PIC) you remain responsible for avoiding collisions. In every class, keeping a lookout is important for detecting potential collisions.

Classes E, F and G: no clearance for VFR

• E: As a VFR flight you need no clearance and, except in an RMZ, no radio. You receive traffic information as far as practical.
• F and G: As a VFR flight you need no clearance and, except in an RMZ, no radio. You receive flight information service on request, which means advice and information for the safe and efficient conduct of flights.

The class alone requires no radio here. Radio becomes compulsory in a radio mandatory zone (RMZ) and in areas or along routes the competent authority designates for this: there, as a VFR flight, you keep a continuous listening watch and report your position as necessary (SERA.5005(i)). An RMZ is an airspace of defined dimensions in which carrying and operating radio equipment is mandatory. If the competent authority designates part of Class E, F or G as an RMZ, you must, as a VFR flight, maintain a continuous voice communication watch on the frequency and establish two-way communication as necessary, unless the air navigation service provider (ANSP) prescribes alternative provisions for that airspace.

Before entering, you must make an initial call with the name of the station you are calling, your call sign, aircraft type, position, level, your intentions and any further information the authority prescribes. Every RMZ must be published in the AIP. Class E shall not be used for control zones. A control zone is controlled airspace extending from the surface of the earth to a specified upper limit.

The 250 kt IAS speed limit

For VFR flights in Classes C, D, E, F and G, a speed limit of 250 kt IAS (indicated airspeed) applies below 10,000 ft AMSL (above mean sea level). The competent authority may approve exceptions for aircraft types that cannot maintain this speed for technical or safety reasons. The limit is meant to help you see flights that are not separated. Where the transition altitude is below 10,000 ft AMSL, FL 100 should be used in place of 10,000 ft.

Other things to know

• All airspace above FL 195 is Class C.
• Where one airspace lies directly above another, flights at the common level should comply with the requirements, and receive the services, of the less restrictive class.
• Implementing Class F is considered a temporary measure until it can be replaced by an alternative classification.