Airspace transitions

[sidfadc]

Hi guys,

New member here, Ive only been simming for a couple of years and just recently signed up to Pilot Edge. I have been flying on vatsim for a few months but lets just say Pilot Edge has opened my eyes! I have a lot to learn. Mainly been flying IFR on Vatsim but I have decided to go VFR on PE and work my way up. I have been scouring the site and absorbing all the training material. Im currently working through the workshops on you tube but my missus isnt happy that there are 60+ videos to get through.

Anyhow my query is about transitioning through different classes of airspace. Looking at sky vector I understand there are minimum and maximum altitudes around the airspace.

Its my understanding that if I stay below the minimum altitude flying VFR i dont have to establish two way comms with ATC correct?
Is this the same for class b c and d airspace?
I am free to roam where I want as long as I stay below the published minimum altitude?
Finally is it necessary to request flight following?

Apologies for all the questions all advice gratefully received.

Thanks
Sid

[Keith Smith]

In cases where only a single altitude is published (such as Class D airspace), that airspace exists from the SURFACE up to and including that altitude (unless a minus sign is included in the altitude in which case it's from the surface and up to, but not including, the published ceiling).

So, KSBP's Delta goes from the surface to 2700ft. KSMX goes from the surface to 2800ft, etc.

Class B and C airspace is published with a floor and a ceiling because it operates with numerous shelves, whereas Class D is a single shelf to the surface.

The answer, then, is that it's not possible to fly below a Delta, but you can fly below parts of a Charlie and Bravo, specifically the portions of their airspace which don't exist down to the surface.

This all comes down to one very important premise, which is that it's critical to know what airspace exists over any point within the continental United States at any given altitude.

It's never necessary to request flight following. The area under a Class B or C will be Class E or G airspace depending on how low you go and depending on where Class E starts for that particular spot (surface, 700ft, 1200ft or another published altitude). Given that you're in Class E or Class G airspace, and there are NO communication requirements for either of those, you can derive the answer that, no, flight following isn't required. Again, it all comes down to knowing what type of airspace you're in. Lots of questions are answered by that one fact alone.

[sidfadc]

Thanks Keith, very informative answer. I read all the CAT tests earlier and its pretty clear once I have run through all of those and completed the tests successfully I should have a pretty good understanding of the different airspaces and how to operate in and around. So to pass all those tests is my first PE goal!

Cheers
Sid

[Kyle.Sanders]

Prior to going through the CAT ratings, I recommend start watching these videos. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Once you complete the first four, the CAT ratings will be MUCH easier!
http://www.pilotedge.net/workshops

[BFG]

+1. Kyle speaks the truth.

[jiva602]

Prior to going through the CAT ratings, I recommend start watching these videos. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Once you complete the first four, the CAT ratings will be MUCH easier!
http://www.pilotedge.net/workshops

Hear, hear.

I have watched some of these multiple times and each time I learn something new. This is in part due to my ADD but mainly because they are chock-full of useful information

[sidfadc]

Thanks guys I had already started making my way through those videos before I posted the question.