Instrument Flying Handbook
Revised Edition
- 368 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Instrument Flying Handbook
Revised Edition
About This Book
The Federal Aviation Administration's Instrument Flying Handbook provides pilots, student pilots, aviation instructors, and controllers with the knowledge and skills required to operate an aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions.
This up-to-date edition is illustrated with full-color graphics and photographs and covers topics such as basic atmospheric science, the air traffic control system, spatial disorientation and optical illusions, flight support systems, and emergency responses. The book's two appendixes contain information on clearance shorthand and an instrument training lesson guide. Readers will also find a handy glossary and index.Since many questions on FAA exams are taken directly from the information presented in this text, the Instrument Flying Handbook is a great study guide for potential pilots looking for certification and a perfect gift for any aircraft or aeronautical buff.Additional topics included throughout this text include:
- Ground-based radar navigation
- Approaches to civil airports
- Flying and landing in difficult weather conditions
- Aircraft system malfunctions
- Airspace classification
- Differential global positioning systems
- And many more!
Frequently asked questions
Information
Airspace Classification
- Class A. Generally, airspace from 18,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) up to and including flight level (FL) 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles (NM) of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska. Unless otherwise authorized, all pilots must operate their aircraft under instrument flight rules (IFR).
- Class B. Generally, airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nationâs busiest airports in terms of airport operations or passenger enplanements. The configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored, consists of a surface area and two or more layers (some Class B airspace areas resemble upside-down wedding cakes), and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. An air traffic control (ATC) clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all aircraft that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace.
- Class C. Generally, airspace from the surface to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower are serviced by a radar approach control and have a certain number of IFR operations or passenger enplanements. Although the configuration of each Class C area is individually tailored, the airspace usually consists of a surface area with a 5 NM radius, an outer circle with a 10 NM radius that extends from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation and an outer area. Each aircraft must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services prior to entering the airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while within the airspace.
- Class D. Generally, airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. The configuration of each Class D airspace area is individually tailored and, when instrument procedures are published, the airspace normally designed to contain the procedures. Arrival extensions for instrument approach procedures (IAPs) may be Class D or Class E airspace. Unless otherwise authorized, each aircraft must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services prior to entering the airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while in the airspace.
- Class E. Generally, if the airspace is not Class A, B, C, or D, and is controlled airspace, then it is Class E airspace. Class E airspace extends upward from either the surface or a designated altitude to the overlying or adjacent controlled airspace. When designated as a surface area, the airspace is configured to contain all instrument procedures. Also in this class are federal airways, airspace beginning at either 700 or 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL) used to transition to and from the terminal or en route environment, and en route domestic and offshore airspace areas designated below 18,000 feet MSL. Unless designated at a lower altitude, Class E airspace begins at 14,500 MSL over the United States, including that airspace overlying the waters within 12 NM of the coast of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska, up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL, and the airspace above FL 600.
- Class G. Airspace not designated as Class A, B, C, D, or E. Class G airspace is essentially uncontrolled by ATC except when associated with a temporary control tower.
Special Use Airspace
- If the restricted area is not active and has been released to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ATC facility will allow the aircraft to operate in the restricted airspace without issuing specific clearance for it to do so.
- If the restricted area is active and has not been released to the FAA, the ATC facility will issue a clearance that will ensure the aircraft avoids the restricted airspace.