Simviation Forums

Hello Chums... ...!

As many/most of my FS 2004 Sim Flights involve very small, General Aviation, Microlight/Ultralight/Flexwing/Homebuild/Vintage, etc, Aircraft, mostly without any form of Navigation and Communication Radios...

What are the rules when approaching or entering Controlled/Restricted airspace?

For example: Many of my low altitude, VFR flights, cover the San Francisco Bay*, and Silicon Valley area*, which according to my Aeronautical Charts, is covered over a very large areas by controlled Airspace, presumably requiring constant Radio Communication with Air Traffic Control!

(These areas also appear on my FS Navigator GPS Radar)

Are we required, by Law, to carry some form of Radio, to communicate our presence and intentions when in these areas?

Or, do we have to avoid/circumnavigate all such Controlled/Restricted areas altogether?

I would normally detour around them, for safety, but some/many of my small Airfields/Airstrips are actually located within the Controlled Airspace!

So, my question is; what is the procedure when approaching Controlled Airspace, if we do not have any form of Radio Communication, during our flights aloft?

Paul...G-BPLF....With a Flexwing, and equipped with a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich... 8-)...!

*

Controlled airspace (around towered airports) is one of three types; B,C,D

Hello Brett...

...interesting one..

It looks as though when I approach my Half Moon Bay (KHAF) from the (recommended) Sea approach, runway 12, I am OK when I approach from the North//West at my usual altitude, 800-1000 feet ASL....

...but it is a no-no when approaching KHAF from KLAX, etc, and the South, runway 30, (not recommended) at my usual low altitude!

So, in reality, we low and slow, Microlight

You can sneak in under the airspace from just about any direction.. Here are two alternate courses.. color-coded for the shelf they are "under".. And you can enter the pattern for either runway (12/30) no matter which way you get in there..




You can also see where the Charlie airspace of Oakland and San Jose complicate things... and if you look closely, you can see the Delta airspaces of San Carlos and Moffet Federal..




I've navigated space like this near Chicago, Detroit and Columbus.. without talking to ATC... but it's stressful. Once you're talking to them, you can ignore the airspace limits..

Do you have "Special VFR" in the States Brett?

Do you have "Special VFR" in the States Brett?

Yes... it's used primarliy for getting in/out of controlled airspace, when conditions are less than VFR..  or for transistioning airpaces. However, most larger airspaces do not allow it.

If you look just southwest of the San Francisco runways,, you'll see'  NO SVFR

You can sneak in under the airspace from just about any direction.. Here are two alternate courses.. color-coded for the shelf they are "under".. And you can enter the pattern for either runway (12/30) no matter which way you get in there..




You can also see where the Charlie airspace of Oakland and San Jose complicate things... and if you look closely, you can see the Delta airspaces of San Carlos and Moffet Federal..




I've navigated space like this near Chicago, Detroit and Columbus.. without talking to ATC... but it's stressful. Once you're talking to them, you can ignore the airspace limits..

Radio Communication with ATC in the complex Bay area is fantastic, and highly educational when I have my full Bendix-King Radio Stack fully operational during my off-line Solo flights...

...but it becomes a bit scary when forced to silently fly my flight plans during my frequent, on-line, (Multiplayer) flights.... .... ...!

One of the tribulations of on-line Flight Sim, Multiplayer Flying...NO ATC!.... ...!

Ta for the info, Brett......!

Paul...G-BPLF...and a

So I'm wondering, would it also be possible to fly in the G class airspace? (1200 AGL) From what I've gotten out of my classes this semester is ATC is actually not allowed to control any aircraft in that space. So as long as your 1000 ft above the surface around the cities, your within FAA regulations, then you have 200 ft to play with that ATC is not even allowed to contact you within, correct? That would allow you to fly just about anywhere without worry of penetrating the upper B or C class airspace's. Only thing then is you would still have to avoid the airspace in the immediate vicinity of the airports, generally a 10mi radius, that do extend down to the surface.

Correct?

So I'm wondering, would it also be possible to fly in the G class airspace? (1200 AGL) From what I've gotten out of my classes this semester is ATC is actually not allowed to control any aircraft in that space. So as long as your 1000 ft above the surface around the cities, your within FAA regulations, then you have 200 ft to play with that ATC is not even allowed to contact you within, correct? That would allow you to fly just about anywhere without worry of penetrating the upper B or C class airspace's. Only thing then is you would still have to avoid the airspace in the immediate vicinity of the airports, generally a 10mi radius, that do extend down to the surface.

Correct?

Yes,, 'G' airspace is totally uncontrolled. And unless you're trying to duck under some ceilings, trying to get on the ground as weather deteriorates.. it's not a good place to fly. Radio towers and even some power line towers poke right up into it.. It's best left to ultra-lights, and fools on motorized lawn chairs.  :D

That's what I thought.

..It's best left to ultra-lights, and fools on motorized lawn chairs.  :D

From what I've gotten out of my classes this semester is ATC is actually not allowed to control any aircraft in that space. So as long as your 1000 ft above the surface around the cities, your within FAA regulations, then you have 200 ft to play with that ATC is not even allowed to contact you within, correct?

I think you're looking at ATC wrongly. They are there to HELP YOU. You should WANT radar tracking in busy airspace for your protection and for others operating in that airspace. It's an insurance policy. Rather than risk life and limb flying in among the towers, wires, birds, and floating Walmart bags, talking to ATC clears you to safer altitudes, with vectors if necessary, and traffic clearance, warnings and such. They are charged with helping even the small aircraft, so it's in your best interest to seek them out, rather than try to avoid ATC.

They are charged with helping even the small aircraft, so it's in your best interest to seek them out, rather than try to avoid ATC.  
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Amen !

Excellent and important point, flaminghotsauce.

[quote]Excellent and important point, flaminghotsauce.

So I'm wondering, would it also be possible to fly in the G class airspace? (1200 AGL) From what I've gotten out of my classes this semester is ATC is actually not allowed to control any aircraft in that space. So as long as your 1000 ft above the surface around the cities, your within FAA regulations, then you have 200 ft to play with that ATC is not even allowed to contact you within, correct? That would allow you to fly just about anywhere without worry of penetrating the upper B or C class airspace's. Only thing then is you would still have to avoid the airspace in the immediate vicinity of the airports, generally a 10mi radius, that do extend down to the surface.

Correct?

Yes,, 'G' airspace is totally uncontrolled. And unless you're trying to duck under some ceilings, trying to get on the ground as weather deteriorates.. it's not a good place to fly. Radio towers and even some power line towers poke right up into it.. It's best left to ultra-lights, and fools on motorized lawn chairs.