### Introduction We live in one of the most complicated airspaces in the nation.  Just getting in and out of PAO requires a solid understanding of airspaces.  But good news: once you know how to fly here, you can fly anywhere. Airspace also matters for trip planning, where you'll need to know what permissions you need to traverse each airspace and which ones to avoid. This lesson starts by looking at the six main types of airspace, specifically - Who is allowed into each one - Equipment requirements for each one, and - VFR visibility requirements for each one Then we'll take a look at VFR charts and chart supplements to see what information we can learn from them. Finally, we'll cover Special Use Airspace (SUA), Special Flight Rules Areas (SFRA), and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR). This lesson is a long one, because there are a lot of details to cover. But understanding each line and symbol on the VFR charts will give you the confidence to fly here, and anywhere. **Pre-Lesson Reading/Homework:** [[~ PPL Pre-Lesson Reading]] **Builds On:** [[PPL1.5 Towered Airport Operations]] **Schedule:** Ground 2.0 hr ### Lesson Elements 1. Terminal (1:250,000 scale) and Sectional (1:500,000 scale) charts 1. ![[VFR Chart Legend.pdf|chart symbology]] 2. [[AFD|Airport/Facility Directory]] entries ([[KPAO Chart Supplement.pdf|image]]) (found in Foreflight, or in the FAA [Chart Supplement](https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/dafd/) publication) 3. [[National Airspace System]] (much of this lesson is spent in this subpage) 1. Types of airspace -- Class A, B, C, D, E, G 2. [[FAR 91.155 VFR Weather Minimums]] (see memory aid documents in [table form](https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/25/185/vfr%20weather%20minimums.pdf), [[VFR Weather Minimums List Memory Aid|list form]], and [[Cloud Clearance Pyramid.jpeg|pyramid form]]) 3. Required equipment for each Airspace 1. [Airspace Requirements Overview](https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/air_traffic/technology/equipadsb/research/airspaceRequirements.jpg) 2. [Airspace-at-a-Glance](https://www.aopa.org/-/media/Files/AOPA/Home/Pilot-Resources/ASI/various-safety-pdfs/airspace2011.pdf) from [[AOPA]] 4. Altitudes for cruise flight ([[FAR 91.159 VFR Altitudes]]) 5. Minimum altitudes ([[FAR 91.119 Minimum Altitudes]]) 6. Speed limits ([[FAR 91.117 Aircraft Speed]]) 7. Useful review here: [Airspace Flashcards](https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/flashcards_2019/index.php#/p/1) from [[AOPA]] 8. Airspace around home airport, and how it interacts with relevant departure/arrival procedures 4. Talk through airspace involved in KPAO-VPMIN 1. At 3500' and 1000' 2. During day and night ### Completion Standards Client should demonstrate knowledge, to a level appropriate for solo flight, of required preflight planning, navigation charts, the national airspace system, and FARs. ### Resources - [[Private Pilot ACS]] Section I.E - [[VFR Chart Legend.pdf]] - [[KPAO Chart Supplement.pdf]] - [Airspace Flashcards](https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aopa/flashcards_2019/index.php#/p/1) from [[AOPA]] ### Required Homework - [ ] Memorize VFR weather minimums - [ ] Memorize required equipment - [ ] Memorize VFR altitudes for cruise flights - [ ] Purchase paper copies of San Francisco Sectional and San Francisco Terminal Area Chart ### Recommended Homework - [ ] Start reading VFR-related FARs in Part 91 *Return to [[~ PPL Lesson Plan Outline|Table of Contents]]^*