FAA Private Pilot Helicopter (PRH)Navigation and AirspaceHard
A pilot examining a sectional chart notices a Class E airspace area bordered by a magenta vignette (shaded, fading band). What does this indicate about the floor of Class E airspace in that area?
- AThe floor of Class E airspace is 1,200 feet AGL
- BThe floor of Class E airspace is 700 feet AGL
- CClass E airspace extends down to the surface
- DThe floor of Class E airspace is 14,500 feet MSL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The floor of Class E airspace is 700 feet AGL
A magenta vignette on a sectional chart indicates that the floor of Class E airspace within that shaded area is 700 feet AGL. A blue vignette would indicate a 1,200-foot AGL floor, while a dashed magenta line indicates a Class E surface area.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 1,200 feet AGL is indicated by a blue vignette, not magenta.
- C. Surface-based Class E is shown with a dashed magenta line, not a shaded vignette.
- D. 14,500 feet MSL is the default Class E floor where no other floor is depicted, shown by the absence of shading.
Class E Floor Chart Symbols
Sectional charts use shading to depict Class E airspace floors: magenta vignette = 700 ft AGL floor, blue vignette = 1,200 ft AGL floor, dashed magenta line = surface area, and no shading (unmarked) = 14,500 ft MSL floor.
- Magenta vignette = 700 ft AGL floor
- Blue vignette = 1,200 ft AGL floor
- Dashed magenta line = surface-based Class E
- No shading = 14,500 ft MSL default floor
Memory trick: Magenta = 'Medium-low' 700 ft floor; Blue = 'Bit higher' 1,200 ft floor.