FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)Airspace and Operating RequirementsHard
A remote pilot reviewing airspace charts wants to know at what altitude Class E airspace begins over most of the contiguous United States when it is not otherwise designated with a lower floor (such as near an airport).
- A700 feet AGL
- B1,200 feet AGL
- C14,500 feet MSL
- D18,000 feet MSL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 14,500 feet MSL
Over most of the contiguous United States, Class E airspace not otherwise designated begins at 14,500 feet MSL and extends up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL (the base of Class A airspace). Lower floors of 700 or 1,200 feet AGL apply only in specifically designated areas, typically around airports.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 700 feet AGL is a designated Class E floor near certain airports, not the default nationwide floor.
- B. 1,200 feet AGL is another designated Class E floor in specific areas, not the general default.
- D. 18,000 feet MSL is the base of Class A airspace, not the default Class E floor.
Class E Airspace Default Floor
In areas without a specifically designated lower floor, Class E airspace over the contiguous U.S. begins at 14,500 feet MSL and extends up to 18,000 feet MSL.
- Default floor: 14,500 ft MSL
- Designated floors near airports can be 700 ft or 1,200 ft AGL
- Class E ends at 18,000 ft MSL, the base of Class A
- Rarely relevant to Part 107 UAS operations due to the 400 ft AGL ceiling
Memory trick: '14.5 is the default ceiling of the sky's basement' when nothing else is marked.