NewStart →
← Lesson plans

Commercial pilot · ACS CA.I.E · Instructor lesson plan

National Airspace System (Commercial)

Student pack: Train: National Airspace System (Commercial) · Full lesson: Prepare guide

Instructors: sign in to edit and approve your own version.

1 · Objective

By the end of this lesson your student can explain national airspace system (commercial) in their own words and apply it to a realistic flight, to the ACS standard for CA.I.E.

Why it matters for safety: Airspace violations are a common way for a commercial pilot to lose time, income and sometimes a certificate, and they also put airplanes into conflict. A commercial pilot knows the airspace along every route, checks TFRs every time, and treats special VFR as a tool with limits, not a way around the weather.

2 · Assign before the lesson

Pre-work: the free Train pack, National Airspace System (Commercial). Every airspace class with its weather minimums, dimensions, entry and equipment rules; special use airspace and TFRs; and special VFR with its limits.

Anyone can open this link, no account needed. To see who trained it on your roster, use a free instructor account.

Pack: pilotprep.pro/train/cpl/national-airspace-system · Full lesson: pilotprep.pro/prepare/cpl/national-airspace-system

3 · Teach sequence

Key points to land

  • VFR minimums (91.155(a)): Class B, 3 SM and clear of clouds. Class C, D and E below 10,000 MSL: 3 SM, 500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal. Class E at or above 10,000 MSL: 5 SM, 1,000 below, 1,000 above, 1 SM horizontal. Class A: no VFR.(14 CFR 91.155(a))
  • Class G: at or below 1,200 AGL, day 1 SM clear of clouds, night 3 SM and 500/1,000/2,000. Above 1,200 AGL and below 10,000 MSL, day 1 SM and night 3 SM, both 500/1,000/2,000. Above 1,200 AGL and at or above 10,000 MSL: 5 SM, 1,000/1,000/1 SM.(14 CFR 91.155(a))
  • Entry: Class B needs an explicit clearance ("cleared into the Class Bravo"). Class C and D need two-way communication, which exists once the controller answers using your call sign.(14 CFR 91.129-91.131; AIM 3-2-3 to 3-2-5)
  • Equipment: two-way radio for B, C and D; Mode C and ADS-B Out in A, B and C, within the 30 nm Mode C veil (surface to 10,000 MSL), above the lateral limits of B and C, and in Class E at and above 10,000 MSL except at or below 2,500 AGL.(14 CFR 91.215, 91.225)
  • Special VFR: requested by the pilot, cleared by ATC, below 10,000 MSL, inside a B, C, D or E surface area, clear of clouds with 1 SM flight visibility (1 SM ground visibility to take off or land). At night the pilot must be instrument rated and current and the airplane equipped for IFR. Not for airplanes at the airports in Part 91 Appendix D, Section 3.(14 CFR 91.157)
  • Check TFRs and NOTAMs before every flight. Flying into a TFR can bring certificate action and interception.(14 CFR 91.137-91.145; 14 CFR 99.7)
  • Within 60 nm of the DCA VOR/DME, VFR pilots need the special awareness training; flying inside the DC SFRA also takes its Part 93 procedures.(14 CFR 91.161; 14 CFR Part 93, Subpart V)

Classes, dimensions and requirements

  • Class A: 18,000 MSL to FL600. IFR only, with Mode C and ADS-B Out.(AIM, Chapter 3 (airspace); 14 CFR 91.135)
  • Class B: from the surface to usually 10,000 MSL, in tailored layers around the busiest airports. ATC clearance to enter; two-way radio; Mode C and ADS-B Out.(AIM, Chapter 3 (airspace); 14 CFR 91.131)
  • Class B pilots: at least a private certificate, or a student, sport or recreational pilot with the training and endorsements of 61.94, 61.95, 61.101 or 61.325. At the airports in Part 91 Appendix D, Section 4, you need at least a private certificate to take off or land.(14 CFR 91.131(b); Part 91 Appendix D, Section 4)
  • Class C: a 5 nm surface area up to 4,000 feet above the airport, and a 10 nm shelf from 1,200 to 4,000 feet above it (with a 20 nm outer area where approach control offers service). Two-way communication before entering; Mode C and ADS-B Out within and above it to 10,000 MSL.(AIM, Chapter 3 (airspace); 14 CFR 91.130)
  • Class D: from the surface to usually 2,500 feet above the airport, shaped to its procedures. Two-way communication with the tower before entering. When the tower closes, it becomes Class E or G.(AIM, Chapter 3 (airspace); 14 CFR 91.129)
  • Communication is established when the controller answers with your call sign, even if only to say "standby". "Aircraft calling, standby" is not.(AIM 3-2-4, 3-2-5)
  • Class E: controlled airspace with no VFR communication requirement. Its floor is the surface (surface areas and extensions), 700 AGL, 1,200 AGL (including Victor airways, 4 nm each side), or 14,500 MSL elsewhere, up to but not including 18,000 MSL; it is also above FL600.(AIM, Chapter 3 (airspace))
  • Class G: whatever isn’t A, B, C, D or E; usually from the surface to 700 or 1,200 AGL.(AIM, Chapter 3 (airspace))
  • The full VFR weather table, by class and altitude, is in 91.155(a). Two exceptions: in Class G at night, inside a traffic pattern within ½ mile of the runway, 1 SM and clear of clouds; and in a surface area, no VFR below a ceiling under 1,000 feet, and 3 SM ground visibility to take off, land or enter the pattern, unless under special VFR.(14 CFR 91.155(b)-(d))
  • Speed limits: 250 knots below 10,000 MSL; 200 knots at or below 2,500 AGL within 4 nm of a Class C or D primary airport, and under a Class B shelf or in a VFR corridor through it.(14 CFR 91.117)

Chart symbols

  • Solid blue: Class B. Solid magenta: Class C. Dashed blue: Class D. Dashed magenta: Class E to the surface. Faded magenta: Class E from 700 AGL; faded blue: Class E from 1,200 AGL. Numbers like 100/40 give the ceiling and floor in hundreds of feet MSL.(Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Airspace)
  • Check the sectional legend and the Chart Supplement for airport details, part-time airspace, hours and frequencies.(Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Airspace)

Special use and other airspace

  • Prohibited area: no flight without the using agency’s permission. Restricted area: no entry when active without the controlling agency’s authorization (ATC routes IFR traffic around or through). Warning area: hazardous activity over international waters beyond 3 nm. MOA: VFR may enter, with caution; ask the controlling agency. Alert area: heavy training traffic; be extra vigilant. Controlled firing area: not charted, activity stops when an aircraft approaches. National security area: avoid voluntarily; it can be temporarily prohibited by NOTAM.(AIM 3-4-1 to 3-4-8; 14 CFR 91.133)
  • Other airspace areas: military training routes (IR and VR; four-digit numbers at or below 1,500 AGL, three-digit above); terminal radar service areas (TRSA, participation voluntary); ADIZs (flight plan, transponder, two-way radio, position reports); parachute jump areas; and Class E surface areas and extensions.(AIM 3-5-1 to 3-5-7)
  • TFRs come and go (VIP movement, fires, disasters, airshows). One is standing: within 3 nm and 3,000 AGL of qualifying stadium events, from 1 hour before to 1 hour after. Check NOTAMs for every flight.(14 CFR 91.137-91.145; 14 CFR 99.7)
  • Washington, DC: the special awareness training is required for VFR within 60 nm of the DCA VOR/DME, not just inside the SFRA; the SFRA adds Part 93 procedures (a flight plan or filing, an assigned transponder code, communications).(14 CFR 91.161; 14 CFR Part 93, Subpart V)

Special VFR

  • Special VFR lets you operate in the surface area of controlled airspace below basic VFR minimums. Every condition: you request it (ATC won’t offer it); an ATC clearance; below 10,000 MSL; within the lateral boundaries of a B, C, D or E surface area; clear of clouds; at least 1 SM flight visibility; to take off or land, 1 SM ground visibility (or flight visibility if none is reported).(14 CFR 91.157(a)-(c); AIM 4-4-6)
  • Night (sunset to sunrise): the pilot must be instrument rated and instrument current, and the airplane equipped for IFR under 91.205(d).(14 CFR 91.157(b)(4); 91.205(d))
  • Fixed-wing special VFR is not allowed at the airports listed in Part 91 Appendix D, Section 3; that list controls, not the airspace class.(14 CFR 91.157; Part 91 Appendix D, Section 3)
  • The clearance covers only the surface area: outside its boundary, basic VFR minimums apply again.(AIM 4-4-6)

4 · Ask your student

In order: recall, then understanding, then applying it. Move up only when the answer shows it.

  1. Recall · What are the VFR minimums in Class C, D and E below 10,000 MSL?

    A strong answer: 3 statute miles, 500 below, 1,000 above and 2,000 horizontal from clouds.

  2. Understand · Why does night special VFR need an instrument-rated, current pilot?

    A strong answer: Clear of clouds with 1 mile at night leaves very little visual reference, so you may end up flying on instruments.

  3. Apply · Your destination, a Class D airport, reports 800 overcast and 2 miles visibility in mist, in the afternoon. A passenger is waiting. What are your options?

    A strong answer: Request special VFR if I can stay clear of clouds with 1 mile, and only if I’m comfortable, or divert or wait. Special VFR is legal, not always wise.

Scenarios to talk through

  • A new TFR appears for a stadium event near your route. What do you do?

    Sound decision: Check its times and dimensions in the NOTAM, and route around it.

  • You call approach before a Class C and hear "Aircraft calling, standby." Can you enter?

    Sound decision: No: they didn’t use your call sign, so communication isn’t established. Stay outside until they do.

  • Day, 800 feet AGL in Class G, visibility 1½ miles, a cloud layer above. Are you legal VFR?

    Sound decision: Yes: at or below 1,200 AGL by day, Class G needs 1 SM and clear of clouds. At night it would take 3 SM and the cloud clearances.

5 · Common student errors

  • Knowing only the Class E numbers.

    Why it matters: Class B, G and the high-altitude rows are different.

    How to correct it: Learn the 91.155 table by class and altitude.

  • Skipping the TFR check on a familiar route.

    Why it matters: TFRs pop up with little notice.

    How to correct it: Check NOTAMs for every flight.

  • Treating special VFR as easy.

    Why it matters: Clear of clouds with 1 mile is little margin.

    How to correct it: Use it with your own, higher minimums.

6 · Completion standard

  • Your student answers each "Ask your student" question in their own words, up to the Apply level, without prompting.
  • They talk through the scenarios and reach a safe, legal decision, explaining why.
  • They complete the pack’s quick check and can say what they flagged.

Area trained? Close out with a practice oral focused on CA.I.E: pilotprep.pro/exam?exam=CPL&focus=CA.I.E

7 · References

  • Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Airspace
  • Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), Chapters 3 and 4
  • 14 CFR, 91.117, 91.129-91.135, 91.137-91.145, 91.155, 91.157, 91.161, 91.215, 91.225, Part 91 Appendix D, Part 93 Subpart V, 99.7
  • Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B), Area I, Task E
  • Airman Certification Standards, task CA.I.E

PilotPrep instructor lesson plan, from the National Airspace System (Commercial) lesson (checked against current FAA sources 2026-11-13). A study and teaching aid, not FAA guidance; teach to your own judgment and the current ACS.