FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsHard
While reviewing a sectional chart, a remote pilot notices an airport surrounded by a magenta dashed vignette (fading shaded area) rather than a solid magenta line or dashed blue line. What does this shading represent?
- AClass G airspace with no ATC services available
- BA prohibited area established for national security purposes
- CClass D airspace with an active operating control tower
- DClass E airspace beginning at the surface, typically at an airport without a full-time operating control tower
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Class E airspace beginning at the surface, typically at an airport without a full-time operating control tower
A magenta dashed vignette (fading magenta shading) on a sectional chart denotes Class E airspace that extends down to the surface, most often at airports with an instrument approach but no full-time operating control tower.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Class G airspace is uncontrolled and typically shown as the absence of shading, not a magenta vignette.
- B. Prohibited areas are marked with solid blue lines and a 'P-' identifier, not magenta shading.
- C. Class D airspace is depicted with a solid blue dashed line, not fading magenta shading.
Class E Surface Area Symbol
A fading magenta vignette on a sectional chart depicts Class E airspace extending to the surface, commonly found at airports with instrument approaches but no continuous tower operation.
- Fading magenta shading = Class E to surface
- Different from solid magenta (Class E floor 700 ft AGL)
- Different from dashed blue line (Class D towered airport)
Memory trick: Fading magenta = Class E fading down to the ground.