Understanding USA Airspace for Paraglider, Hang Glider and Ultralight pilots
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- čas přidán 22. 07. 2024
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I put together a quick explanation of the United States Airspace system and how it applies to Hang Glider, Paraglider and Ultralight pilots.
You can find free aviation sectional charts on skyvector: skyvector.com/
More in depth information about the national airspace system can also be found here: www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...
You can find the FAA regulations regarding ultralight aircraft at the following link: www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx... - Sport
I've been getting a few people hitting me up asking about airspace in their backyard. I'm happy to answer those questions but might notice them faster if you buy me a coffee ;) www.buymeacoffee.com/TyGunnlaugsson
Ty (Norsk?), I'm not sure if you monitor, but a question.
Is my thought process here right?
§ 103.11 (2) All operations are conducted in uncontrolled airspace.
And:
§ 103.17 Operations in certain airspace.
No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.
So this would limit all flight to class G with maximum altitude in general to 1200' (700') agl with 14500' msl in certain areas out west plus through class E after prior permission as per $103.17. Is that your interpretation too?
@@wadadli4sun No, you can fly in class E airspace just not in the class E surface airspace designated for an airport. For example, some airports such as KLAR have a dashed magenta line that means the class E airspace extends to the surface. The rule doesn't want you flying in that airspace. The thing I havnt figured out yet is if you can fly above it in the normal class E airspace.
So, you are good to fly in class E airspace up to 17,999ft. You just can't fly near those airports with the dashed magenta line unless you get permission from the controlling agency. Hope that answered your question.
OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!! BEST "Airspace" Video on YT!!!! Thanks A LOT!!!! I'm just now getting into PPG and this is SUPER helpful!
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for this video. I already knew most of it, but you're the only knowledgeable person I've seen actually explain the difference in applicability to part 103 operators between the class E to the surface designated for an airport vs the 700ft AGL class E that is "around" many airports.
Excellent presentation. Your airspace chart is the best I have seen yet.
I used to fly hang gliders and had a part 107 UAV license which required me to take an FAA test which covered a lot of this chart information. Your video is a great refresher, especially with your concentration on topics for HG and Paragliders, especially the where to fly topic. Excellent video, thanks for posting!
SO I just watched about 2 hours of vids discussing airspace, and your video nailed it. Funny, I didn't even notice you had a cursor, but I could tell what you were talking about, probably due to the other vids I watched.
I saw a mention recently that you can in fact register your wing (might have meant paramotor/ultralight) so that you can have a callsign to call ATC, possibly opening up some of the areas that require communications.
Really excellent vid, thanks so much!
Very helpful. Sometimes I do better with videos than just straight reading and this helped a lot. Thanks. Freshly trained PPG pilot here. Stay safe up there
Such a fantastic explanation. I just became a paramotor pilot and this is by far the best and simplest explanation around! Thank you so much Ty. Really great and helpful! Fly safe!
Glad you got something out of it! Happy Flying!
This is a great video! Saved, rewatched regularly, and very much appreciated as a fellow paraglider pilot too! ✨🙌🏼✨Thank you!
Great Tutorial !!! 😀😀😀
As a Student Pilot myself, it's great to see this topic from the perspective of a Hang Glider.
I liken this to driving on the Highway.
I don't drive a motorcycle, but I think it's important that auto drivers see the perspective of the road from a cyclist's Point of View.
😀😀😀
I realize that many Hang Gliders are NOT familiar with Air Space, thus it's important that pilots be aware of them and POSSIBLE mistakes they may make.
Safety for All !!! 😀
This video is helpful on several layers. Thanks for making this.
Awesome! Fantastic work, Ty! Congrats! I always have problems understanding new concepts when they are visually explained and this helped me a lot. Too bad i couldn't follow many of the things you mentioned because i was watching on my cellphone, but i will try and watch again on bigger screen. Thanks a lot!
Yeah I should have made the courser bigger. Sorry about that. I'm new to making these kinds of videos. I hope you were able to understand it.
Probably the best I have seen on this subject. Thanks for posting
No problem!
Thanks Ty for the explanation. Sometimes the Class E has multiple interpretations and gets confusing. I was confused about this by some comments I've heard. I live just down the road from F46 and asked the manager if I could fly out of the airport. She was very nice and confirmed I could but they do require a radio because of the amount of traffic at the airport. I wouldn't fly without a radio anyway. The confusion came when some said I had to fly 700ft or lower once crossing over the Class E around the airport. This made no sense since the down wind is 1000ft. This would cause all sorts of issues with close calls and potential collisions. Some people have even told me we can't fly Class E at all (I think from people who don't consider Part 103 flyer's as pilots). Your video made it simple to understand. I'm also glad you mentioned the Class E to surface that yes we can fly into that airspace as long as we have prior permission. I know of some ultralights that have done this, called ahead (by phone not radio) and all have received clearance. It seems that these airports are more than willing to accommodate Part 103 pilots and in some cases actually enjoy allowing the ultralight pilots show off their choice of flying machine. I think the best way we can preserve our sport is to show all pilots no matter what they fly that we follow the rules and regulations to ensure everyone can fly safely and still use the facilities and services like any other pilot.
What a great video! Thank you so much... I'm prepping for my P2 test and this helped a lot! Thank you 🙏🏼
Glad it helped! Good luck!
Thanks Ty, I appreciate the time and effort you put into this. I was actually referred to this video by the FAA!! I would love to see a sequel that deal specifically with class E details as there are several types and the language is tricky to infer. My understanding is that extensions to B/C/D are valid for free flight VFR but dedicated surface class E for an airport with no other air space separating it is no go. This agrees with what you said in your video but there are other details that weren't specifically mentioned. It would be good to see what "permission" looks like and how that phone call might go or whether it may be a radio transmission via airband mid-flight. The airways are just going to get busier in the coming years and we need to get smarter with dealing with powered private and commercial pilots to preserve what freedoms we have!
Haha that is awesome the FAA referred you to the video. I guess that means I got something right. I'll try to get around to making a new video soon.
Thank you for sharing this! You should consider posting the ppt as well :) great resource!
This is such a great video! Thank you for putting this together and sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
I completely agree that this is an exceptionally informative presentation, but I also agree with you that you should either redo it or edit it with a MUCH BIGGER and maybe red mouse pointer. I watched this on a 65" 4k TV and most of the time could not see your pointer. Mostly when I did find your pointer it was only because I followed what you were saying and then found where you were talking about, but only about 1/4 of the time. Would give you a 10 if it weren't for that. Thank you for taking the time to help people understand this complicated subject. I also like how you often pose the questions to the viewer which cues the viewer that this is a moment to think about something.
Thanks Ty, great review. Thank you for making and posting this video.
BTW, nice picture of Marcos. His dad taught me back in 2010.
Your welcome!
Thanks for posting. Very helpful
Excellent - this was helpful. Thank you!
Thanks!
thank you!! it really helped me.
depending on the ultralight you can fly in G and E airspace if it is plane or rotor because you can land and take off at the small no tower airports if it is public or you have private permission. if you have a 2 way radio on your ultralight motorized vehicle you can go into class D as well with radio permission. i know of folks that have ultra light planes at class E and D airports and fly in and out of them... now hang gliders are a different story unless you have a radio and have visual flight rules satisfied(The pilot must be able to operate the aircraft with visual reference to the ground, and by visually avoiding obstructions and other aircraft), but heck it says this all in your first slide under entry requirements: G no requirements, E no VFR , D equipment 2 way radio with 2 way communications prior to entry and VFR and C if you have a transponder and an altimeter as well. also you do not need an instrument rating you just need instruments because to have a rating that would mean you have at the very least a glider rating and you do not need any rating to fly an ultralight plane and all i have ever seen have at least instruments and most have a two way radio as well. so your talking only hang gliders/paragliders and should not mention ultralights because that makes it sound like your talking about ultralight planes and rotor vehicles that can be allowed in E&D&C airspace and you just lumped them in with paragliders and hang gliders when they actually have exceptions that make them different including higher weight limits. so yea i guess i wrote all of this simply because your video tag says: Understanding USA Airspace for Paraglider, Hang Glider and ULTRALIGHT PILOTS, and in my opinion you left out the ultralight pilots... oh and the only one you need an instrument rating for is class A. B you just need to at least be working towards a private pilot license.
As the others have said Ty, excellent job!!! I do have a comment for you; the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, "Air Safety Adviser, Regulations No 1, Airspace for Everyone", indicates that the surface- based Class E airspace terminates at 1200' AGL (see figure 3). As I interpret the AOPA document, this is an important distinction that part 103 aircraft are allowed to fly above these airports as long as they are above 1200' AGL. Please comment on this if you will.
Great info brother! Fly far!
You are a great instructor
Thanks Riche!
Super helpful 👍 thank you
Such an amazing tutorial. Finally a decent explanation of this craziness for us new pilots. I JUST WISH YOU USED A BIGGER MOUSE POINTER haha I’m squinting trying to follow it
Yeah, definitely could have made this better. Sorry about that! Maybe I'll get some time to remake it one of these days.
Great video !
Thanks. Great video.
Great stuff here!
Nice! Thank you!
Good vid, I wish your pointing device was more visible or larger. You'll get a lot of views with this, but it made me fall asleep.
Yeah, just realized the pointer is super small. I'll try to redo it one of these days and make it more exciting. It's a pretty boring topic haha. I hope you were able to follow along.
Yankee just fell asleep because he's old and grumpy...lol
Yes, Great Video!
But your Pointer, is Too small...
Thank you for your Time/ Excellent Illustration!
-100% easy to Digest-
you all probably dont give a damn but does anyone know a method to log back into an Instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot the account password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me.
@Christian Otto instablaster :)
Well done.
Thanks Straight Ahead
Nice Info
great vid,, im just getting into ultralight planes,, i know nothing about how to read a air map, is there any books/ vids you would recommend? thanks for your help
Thank you for the very informative video. I have watched it several times. I suggest you use a more recognizable symbol for your pointer as the current one does not show up well and causes the viewer to lose track of where you are pointing. Also, it would be much easier for the viewer to hear and understand the airspace classes if you used the phonetic pronunciation of the letter and not the letter itself (Bravo not B class).
So those blue arrows that leave the VORs, are they common flight paths that are likely to be busy?
GREAT info, Thanks! One Question though.... I got VR43 (military Training Route) over my house (LZ) .
F-15s flying out of Seymour Johnson AFB use it a couple times every week, and they fly under 250ft, over 250kts. Very difficult to get out of their way. Is there a website where I can get the schedule of when VR43 will be used?
Hey Sorry, I haven't looked at comments in a while. Lucky you... Have you tried contacting Fayateville approach? Not sure exactly where you are talking about geographically but they would be able to get you to the right person.
Nice Job 👍 Thx 🙏
Does what you talked about also apply to sail planes?
Thanks for the video. A different point of view but Can anything be done if we have someone flying a powered parachute constantly in our backyard at our roof level? We are in the county but He always circles over our roof, looks in our windows when he swoops down super low and turns his motor on when he’s over our property.. he has it turned off when he approaches so we don’t even hear him. It just seems like such an invasion of privacy?
AWESOME VIDEO! What happens if class B shows shows 70/+10 what does that mean? THANKS!
Thank You So Much ;)
Great video, Ty. Quick question: Isn't there a Mode C requirement in Class E above 10,000? Like wise, even though there is often Class G and E under the shelves of Class B and C airspace, aren't there some Mode C requirements in those specific circumstances?
If you don't have an engine-driven electrical system you don't need a transponder.
So realistically even with the class e visibility restrictions I can’t imagine you can see any jets or cesna from 5 miles away who are not flying vor how close can they get to you before you will actually notice them and try to clear out of their way ? It all feels so unsafe
you left out the Mode C if im not misunderstanding something i think you are required to have a transponder and ADSB so flying under the class B shelf Is technically not allowed without it
Thank You
Great video! Looking for another videos, what will help me with my Glider Pilot FAA test. What can you advice?
Are you asking about your writen FAA glider pilot test? I would suggest either sheppard air or buy a 2019 ASA private pilot test prep book off of amazon and study that.
Excluding the extensions, the dashed magenta "E surface lateral boundaries" extend up to a "designated altitude" which is 700'
(FAA defined those "extensions" as "not for an airport" - drive.google.com/file/d/1OazZnaVuP-rQh949MEJmrHBZK3gj-cq6/view?usp=sharing
18-1-2. CLASS E SURFACE AREAS tfmlearning.faa.gov/Publications/atpubs/AIR/air1801.html
a. A Class E surface area is designated to provide controlled airspace for terminal operations where a control tower is not in operation.
***Class E surface areas extend upward from the surface to a designated altitude
***
I am not sure I totally agree with this, but I will admit the language is vague. I just sent an email to the FAA to clarify. I'll report back with the result.
Is ADS-B now required at and above 10,000 feet, and if so, doesn't that mean no 103 ops are allowed there now ?
So can you take off/fly in the space inside class G airspace ( the fading thick line 700’ AGL) and outside of the dotted 1200’ AGL without approval? Or is this considered a controlled airspace too?
If I understand you correctly, you can fly there.
Nice vid man! Yewww!
Great video , just a humble recommendation. Please use a bigger pointer that’s going to make a lot easier to understand. Thanks again!
Thanks for the suggestion. Definitely didn't notice that until after I posted it....
Thank you so much for this explanation! Could you do a similar one for recreational drone usage? Thanks!!!!!
I'll do it when I get time! Thanks!
Good presentation... one thing though... your mouse pointer/cursor is so small that I could not see it when you were over the sectional map pictures and I could not follow exactly what you were describing. I am using a 41" monitor and the video is full screen... so I've done everything I can...
Great presentation, the only thing I would suggest is you should make your mouse bigger. It’s hard to see on my iPad.
thanks, mate.
Your welcome!
What does a blue line with blue dots inside mean? Outside of phoenix Arizona there are several areas marked this way.
It looks like you are talking about wilderness areas. This web page explains all about that! www.aneclecticmind.com/2012/12/20/the-rules-about-flying-over-wilderness-areas/
Where can I get a chart for my area? I went to FAA.gov and couldn't find anything. Is there a website where I can look at my area for flying? (Manassas, Va.)
check out skyvector.com
Where do you go to see which Airport is what class. What websites have that information.
Check out skyvector.com it's in the description.
thanks
Thank you Ty Gunnlaugsson. The American flying rules will apply every where in the Western world?
Thank you Ty for this great video. But, I am finding a discrepancy with regard to your description and graphical representation of 'Class E surface designated for an airport'. Looking at the latest FAA, Aeronautical Information Services, Aeronautical Chart Users Guide, effective as of April 25, 2019, page 57. Is this depicting 'Class E (sfc) designated for an airport' having an upper boundary of 700' AGL, and 'extensions' having a ceiling of 1200' AGL? The white circle, instead of a dashed magenta circle at 700' AGL, leaves it unclear to me on this graphic. The Class E (sfc) extensions do appear to have a clearly defined upper boundary at 1200' AGL, am I reading this correctly? Appreciate your efforts trying to educate us free flyers!
Hey Tony! I took a look at the graphic you are talking about and what I say does still appear to hold true. I think the white circle you are seeing is simply to allow you to identify the airspace better in the graphic. The shaded magenta area represents 'transition airspace' with a floor of 700' the dashed magenta line represents 'class e surface airspace' neither of those designations have an upper limit other than the limit of the normal class E airspace either that be at 18,000ft with the beginning of class A or if another airspace such as class B is above it. If you are curious if you can fly your paramotor/paraglider over the surface designation class E airspace at a certain altitude, I am unsure about that. As it is written in the regs it seems we can't fly in those areas at all. Good luck!
Ty, thank you for your thoughtful response! But after reading Mike Bomstads comment below with citations, I must respectfully disagree. BTW, with high performance hang gliders it is not uncommon to achieve downwind glides that far exceed 10 nautical miles.
@@tonybrown3453 I just now saw Mike's response. After looking trough his citations, I think he is mis-understanding the regs. But to be sure, I sent an email to the FAA asking them to clarify. I will get back to you with their response.
Ty, that's awesome!, Thank You. I know there are a bunch of hangies trying to decipher this detail
It should be noted that you can operate an Ultralight in these airspaces as long as you have prior authorization from the controlling ATC facility.
103.17: No person may operate an ultralight vehicle within Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.
Hi there, can you recommend some apps for flying PPG?
For finding airspace? I use XC Track on android for paragliding and it has it all on there. Fly Sky Hi for Iphones
So what would be considered “congested areas over towns or city’s”? Does that mean absolutely no flying in towns and city’s or no flying in towns that have lots of people?
Check out this article: pilot-protection-services.aopa.org/news/2016/january/15/congested-area
ty !!!
You never cleared up what "within lateral boundaries of class e" mean. Does that only refer to the surface class e?
It means you need to contact the tower in charge to get pre-authorization.
Can anyone comment how valid this is for say Australia?
Video put together very well... Please use a bigger cursor
Can you do an explanation of the Washington DC area airspace? It's extremely confusing having 3 international airports, a dozen or more regional airports, special flight restrictions with some symbols that aren't even on the legend, TFRs, military bases, national parks, etc. I live near the Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) and just want to know where I can fly nearby.
I'm not sure if I have time to make a video right now on Washington DC airspace but I should have answered most of your questions in this video. Maybe trying to figure it out for yourself using maps on skyvector would be a good way to apply your knowledge? Id be happy to answer any questions you have!
I learned to fly a quicksilver MX 5.1 miles from the control tower of DULLES in the 1990's. At route 7 and 28. After 911 you can forget it, they put a 30 nautical mile MODE C Veil up as well as a permanent FLight restriction. I am now 50 miles west of DC outside the mode C veil. Manassas ? Forget it, you need to head south or west of there past warrenton to culpeper or front royal
Can you give examples of PPG pilots breaking the rules? I see lots of videos of them circling 100' away from hot air balloons, very close to buildings, and people on the ground.
Most of the examples I have heard of or seen is PPG/Paraglider Pilots flying inadvertently into smaller Class D airports airspace, Class E surface airspace or even busting Class B airspace and being reported to ATC by approaching airliner pilots.
If I am flying a part 103 ultralight, why can’t I call-up the tower in a class D airport with my Yaesu aviation handheld and ask em for permission?
You can, no problemo.
Exactly, no problem, but if they don't answer, you don't have permission.
Is the upper limit of Bravo , Charlie and Delta space defined by MSL, or AGL?
Class C and B airspace is rarley found together and Class C airspace is never above class B. Typically Class B airspace will surround a very busy airport and has an upper limit of 10,000ft - 12,000ft MSL and then it is Class E airspace above that. Class C airspace typically goes from the surface to 4,000ft AGL surrounding the airport. NOTE! The aviation charts always show the alittude of the airspace in MSL (this answers your question about class d airspace)! Hope this answered your question.
Ty Gunnlaugsson Thank you, I thought that might be useful for others who may not be familiar with the differences between MSL and AGL. Very relevant for those in areas were surface MSL is elevated. I am in Florida, and we really get over 200 feet or so MSL at surface. Thanks for a great video.
( fixed wing comm / instrmt sel)
@@DZig Great! Thanks for the comment! Nice to meet you!
Ty Gunnlaugsson Likewise!
Your pointing arrow is almost invisible. I try to follow it without success. Try to redo this video. It’s confusing enough without having to listen and try to find where you are talking about.
you fly in class D if you have an Aviation radio and get Clerance
Need much bigger cursor please. Good material. Thanks
I will definitely do that on my next video! If I have time i'll remake this one. Thanks for the input!
Class E airspace goes up to 17999 feet. 18000 feet is the beginning of class A airspace.
Thanks for the correction haha!
There I was at 17999 feet.... Many a goob hang gliding story occurs at this altitude....LOL
I wish you would redo this and please make your mouse pointer bigger, its very hart to see. This is almost useless, the pointer is like a tinny tiny dot and u move it around to fast. Please redo this.
Good review, but you should have enlarged your cursor, it's very difficult to follow along with it.
Yeah I'll fix that when I make my next video.
You mentioned class E airspace above 60,000' MSL, above class A. Are there any holes in class A, or is there any way to "tunnel thru" class A to get there? Like if you had ultralight versions of all the comm gear they demand (& also a pressurized suit for high altitudes)... Is a paramotor technically physically capable of flying that high?
103.15 is one of the idiocies responsible for the extremely low popularity of paragliding in the US compared to other countries. The ratio of paraglider pilots between e.g. Europe and America is 60 (sixty!) to one. When I fly in the Alps I fly over cities and villages and nobody gives a crap. "Congested areas", what a load of nonsense.
Yeah, can't see a damn thing your pointing out, was hoping to get something out of this video.
I realized after I posted this on youtube filming this on a 4k monitor was not a good idea. I'm sorry you weren't able to follow the video. I'll try to remake another one when I get some more time. Happy Flying!
@@TyGunnlaugsson no problem man, I should not have been such an ass about it. The information you are trying to convey is great, just some technocal issues. So my apology for being an ass. 🙏🏻
-gee, i thought flying was supposed to be fun and free-
Just a little suggestion, could you make your cursor size larger please, I have a little trouble with seeing just exactly what you are attempting to show. thank you . God bless America and Donald John Trump.