FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Airspace and NavigationMedium
A pilot examines a sectional chart and sees a magenta (shaded) vignette surrounding an airport, indicating that Class E airspace begins at 700 feet AGL in that area. While transiting the area at 500 feet AGL (with no other airspace overlying it), in which class of airspace is the pilot operating?
- AClass E
- BClass D
- CClass G
- DClass C
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Class G
A magenta vignette on a sectional chart shows that the floor of Class E airspace is 700 feet AGL. Below that floor, in the absence of any other airspace designation, the airspace is uncontrolled Class G airspace. Since the pilot is at 500 feet AGL, below the 700-foot floor, the aircraft is in Class G airspace.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Class E begins at 700 feet AGL here, above the pilot's altitude.
- B. Class D would require a control tower and a specific depicted boundary, not shown here.
- D. Class C requires a specific charted boundary around a primary airport with radar service, not indicated here.
Class E Floor Vignettes
Sectional charts use shaded vignettes to depict where the floor of Class E airspace begins; magenta shading means 700 ft AGL, blue shading means 1,200 ft AGL.
- Magenta vignette = Class E floor at 700 ft AGL
- Blue vignette = Class E floor at 1,200 ft AGL (the default)
- Below the charted floor with no other class = Class G airspace
Memory trick: Magenta = 700, Blue = 1200, below that it's the Ground (Class G)