ENR 1.4 - ATS AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATION

1

Classification of airspace

1.1

ATS airspace in India is classified and designated in accordance with the following-

1.1.1

Class A*: Applicable to designated airspaces in terminal control area, control area and control zone. IFR flights only are permitted, all flights are provided with air traffic control service and are separated from each other.

1.1.2

Class B*: Applicable to designated airspaces in terminal control area, control area and control zone. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all flights are provided with air traffic control service and are separated from each other.

 

* Implementation of Class A & Class B Airspace under consideration

1.1.3

Class C: Designated airspace within controlled airspace is classified as Class C. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all flights are provided with air traffic control service and IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and from VFR flights. VFR flights are separated from IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect of other VFR flights.

1.1.4

Class D: Airspace within controlled airspace is classified as Class D. IFR and VFR flights are permitted and all flights are provided with air traffic control service, IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and receive traffic information in respect of VFR flights, VFR flights receive traffic information in respect of all other flights.

1.1.5

Class E: Airspace within ATS Route segment outside controlled airspace is classified as Class E. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, IFR flights are provided with air traffic control service and are separated from other IFR flights. All flights receive traffic information as far as is practical. Class E shall not be used for control zones.

1.1.6

Class F: Designated Airspace within ATS Route segment outside controlled airspace is classified as Class F. IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all participating IFR flights receive an air traffic advisory service and all flights receive flight information service if requested.

1.1.7

Class G: Airspace outside ATS route segment and outside controlled airspace is classified as Class G. IFR and VFR flights are permitted and receive flight information service if requested.

1.2

The Classification of Airspace within Restricted areas shall apply only to those portions of airspace controlled by civil ATC under Flexible Use of Airspace.

1.3

Procedures in class C airspace:

1.3.1

VFR flights intending to operate in class C airspace shall ensure that they will be able to meet the requirements of class C (MET/COM/SPEED).

1.3.2

Pre]departure clearance from appropriate ATC shall be obtained by all VFR flights intending to enter class C airspace.

1.3.3

Aircraft on SID/STAR shall follow published speed restrictions

1.3.4

All aircraft shall follow any additional speed restrictions when instructed by ATC

1.3.5

The responsibility of terrain clearance remains with the flight crew of VFR flight at all times

1.3.6

VFR flights unable to adhere to ATC clearance shall obtain alternate clearance.

1.4

As mandated for ATS Airspace in India vide DGCA CAR Section 9 Series ‘E’ the requirements for flights within each class of airspace shall be as shown in the table below:

 

Note: Where the ATS airspaces adjoin vertically, i.e. one above the other, flights at a common level would comply with requirements of, and be given services applicable to, the less restrictive class of airspace. In applying these criteria, Class B airspace is therefore considered less restrictive than Class A airspace; Class C airspace less restrictive than Class B airspace, etc.

Class

Type of flight permitted

Separationprovided

Service provided

Speed limitations**

Radio communication requirement

Subject to an ATC clearance

A*

IFR only

All aircraft

Air traffic control service

Not applicable

Continuous two-way

Yes

B*

IFR

All aircraft

Air traffic control service

Not applicable

Continuous two-way

Yes

VFR

All aircraft

Air traffic control service

Not applicable

Continuous two-way

Yes

C

IFR

IFR from IFR

IFR from VFR

Air traffic control service

Not applicable

Continuous two-way

Yes

VFR

VFR from IFR

1) Air traffic control service for separation from IFR;

2) VFR/VFR traffic information (and traffic avoidance advice on request)

250 kt IAS below

3050 m (10000 ft) AMSL

Continuous two-way

Yes

D

IFR

IFR from IFR

Air traffic control service. Traffic information about VFR flights (and traffic avoidance advice on request)

250 Kt IAS below 3050M (10000 Ft) AMSL

Continuous two-way

Yes

VFR

Nil

IFR/VFR and VFR/VFR traffic information (and traffic avoidance on request)

250 Kt IAS below 3050M (10000 Ft) AMSL

Continuous two-way

Yes

E

IFR

IFR from IFR

Air traffic control service and, as far as practical, traffic information about VFR flights

250 Kt IAS below 3050M (10000 Ft) AMSL

Continuous two-way

Yes

VFR

Nil

Traffic information as far as practical

250 Kt IAS below 3050M (10000 Ft) AMSL

No

No

F

IFR

IFR from IFR as far as practical

Air traffic advisory service Flight information service

250 Kt IAS below 3050M (10000 Ft) AMSL

Continuous two-way

No

VFR

Nil

Flight information service

250 Kt IAS below 3050M (10000 Ft) AMSL

No

No

G

IFR

Nil

Flight information service

250 Kt IAS below 3050M (10000 Ft) AMSL

Continuous two-way

No

VFR

Nil

Flight information service

250 Kt IAS below 3050M (10000 Ft) AMSL

No

No

* When the height of the transition altitude is lower than 3050M(10000 Ft) AMSL, FL100 should be used in lieu of 10000 Ft.

** Implementation of class A and class B airspace is under consideration.