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CFI Airmen Certification Standards: Technical Subject Areas


AC 91-63D – Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) and Flight Limitations

This advisory circular (AC):

Users of this AC should refer to the following:

a. 14 CFR part 91, Section 91.137, Temporary Flight Restrictions in the Vicinity of Disaster/Hazard Areas;

b. 14 CFR part 91, Section 91.138, Temporary Flight Restrictions in National Disaster Areas in the State of Hawaii;

c. 14 CFR part 91, Section 91.139, Emergency Air Traffic Rules;

d. 14 CFR part 91, Section 91.141, Flight Restrictions in the Proximity of the Presidential and Other Parties;

e. 14 CFR part 91, Section 91.143, Flight Limitation in the Proximity of Space Flight Operations;

f. 14 CFR part 91, Section 91.145, Management of Aircraft Operations in the Vicinity of Aerial Demonstrations and Major Sporting Events;

g. 14 CFR part 99, Section 99.7, Special Security Instructions;

h. FAA KFDC NOTAM for Sporting Events;

i. AC 91-45, Aviation Events

Get the most recent version from FAA.gov

This is all private-pilot ground-school material. The PHAK is a perfectly good resource, but the AIM also is a valid primary source of information.

Expect extra emphasis on Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). The best primary reference for current TFRs is tfr.faa.gov. You should have good working knowlege of this interface. Also be aware that TFRs are published as NOTAMs. Advisory Circular 91-63 covers TFRs and has examples of TFR NOTAMs.

The rest of it is about being as conversant as possible, with the ability to look up specific rules.

Class A requires an IFR flight plan, which means an IFR aircraft and pilot or flight-crew.

Class B is "one and clear."

Class C, D, and E are "3-152" — minimum three miles visibility with 1,000 above, 500 below, and 2,000 feet lateral of clouds. The reason it's 1,000 above and 500 below is that airplanes climb faster than they descend. There is no distinction between day and night in these airspaces.

Class E is "5-111" above 10,000 feet. This probably would apply to Class C and D airspace as well, since the increased visibility and distance accounts for faster aircraft. However, Class C and D do not reach 10,000 feet.

Class G is the hot mess. It's "3-152" at night, while daytime has exceptions. During daylight hours, it's one mile visibility below 10,000 feet, clear of clouds below 1,200 feet AGL. And "one-and-clear" applies at night when in an airport traffic pattern. Class G gets a bit more complex in certain scenarios (such as above 10,000 MSL but below 1,200 AGL), but if the oral exam gets into these details, it probably can be resolved with a look at the AIM.

Know the basics of Special Use Airspace (SUA) as well. "Prohibited" is just that — a no-fly-zone. "Restricted" and "Warning" are conditional, with Warning Areas typically over water (domestic and international). MOAs, Controlled Firing Areas, and Alert areas are not restricted, but pilots should operate with heightened awareness. Be prepared to demonstrate "instructional knowlege" by pointing out examples of these on a sectional.

Complex airspace topics include:

  • VFR Flyway: These are used to avoid Class B airspace. Clearances are not required, since they are not Class B.
  • VFR Corridor. These are effectively "holes" in Class B airspace. They do not require clearances.
  • Class B VFR Transition Route: Used for transiting Class B airspace. These require a clearance, as well as adherence to the route and ATC instructions.
  • Terminal Area VFR route: Used for transiting Class B, C, and D airspace. They do not require clearances.

Other airspace definitions to know:

  • Military Training Routes (MTRs): Low-altitude, high-speed training routes that require additional vigilance when crossed, and that should not be followed.
  • A National Security Area may be prohibited by NOTAM. Otherwise, pilots are requested to avoid them.
  • Special Flight Rules Area: Rules may be modified for safety or security reasons. The airspace around Washington, D.C. is an SFRA where pilots are assigned a transponder code. The Grand Canyon and Los Angeles International (LAX) also have SFRAs in place.
  • Wildlife refuges are not prohibited, but pilots are requested to remain 2,000 AGL above designated areas.

Details can be found in Chapter 15 of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.


Airmen Certification Standards: Flight Instructor (Airplane)

Areas of Operation II. Technical Subject Areas
Task G: National Airspace System

References

  1. 14 CFR part 91
  2. Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
  3. Commercial Pilot: Airplane Practical Test Standards (FAA-S-8081-12) (cancelled)
  4. Commercial Pilot: Airplane Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-7A)
  5. Private Pilot: Airplane Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6)

Objective: To determine the applicant understands the National Airspace System, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

Knowledge: The applicant demonstrates instructional knowledge by describing and explaining:

  1. Airspace classes and associated requirements and limitations.
  2. Chart symbols.
  3. Special use airspace (SUA), special flight rules areas (SFRA), temporary flight restrictions (TFR), and other airspace areas.
  4. Currency of publications.
  5. Special visual flight rules (VFR) requirements.

Risk Management: The applicant explains and teaches how to identify and manage risk associated with:

  1. Various classes and types of airspace.

Skills: The applicant demonstrates and simultaneously explains how to:

  1. Identify and comply with the requirements for basic VFR weather minimums and flying in particular classes of airspace.
  2. Correctly identify airspace and operate in accordance with associated communication and equipment requirements.
  3. Identify the requirements for operating in SUA or within a TFR.
  4. Identify and comply with special air traffic rules (SATR) and SFRA operations, if applicable.

Flight Instructor Test Questions

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Robert Wederquist   CP-ASEL - AGI - IGI
Commercial Pilot • Instrument Pilot
Advanced Ground Instructor • Instrument Ground Instructor


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