Into Uncontrolled Air

As instrument pilots on IFR clearances, the types and differences of the airspace we fly in dont seem to matter much. But it turns out that there are some nuances that do matter and can cause hassle, hazard or even a certificate action if we ignore them.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

IFR pilots must understand the nuances of Class E and G airspace, especially at the beginning and end of flights, as these define controlled versus uncontrolled environments where ATC separation may not apply.
Operating in Class G airspace, particularly near uncontrolled airports, means sharing the airspace with VFR traffic that may be flying under minimal weather conditions without ATC separation, necessitating increased pilot vigilance.
Determining whether an airport's surface airspace is Class E or G is critical for legal IMC operations; Class E to the surface requires an IFR clearance on the ground, while Class G allows for an airborne pickup.

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As instrument pilots on IFR clearances, the types and differences of the airspace we fly in don’t seem to matter much. But it turns out that there are some nuances that do matter and can cause hassle, hazard or even a certificate action if we ignore them.

Unlike under VFR where it’s the airspace of higher control (Classes A through D) that are the issue, it’s classes E and G that can cause problems under IFR. These two airspaces are complex in definition and may exist only part-time. Both of those factors may matter at the beginning or end of your IFR flight.