Class Foxtrot Airspace - What the Heck is It?
by Russ Still
Published
Updated
Every private pilot knows about the lettered airspaces of the National Airspace System. They are Classes A, B, C, D, E, and G. Although a little forgetfulness occasionally creeps in, these classes are recognized by their shapes and markings on Sectional Charts. If you’re enrolled in a Gold Seal course, you’ve already been indoctrinated in this.
Another fact that is well understood: Classes A, B, C, D, and E are categorized as “controlled” airspace, leaving Class G as the only “uncontrolled” airspace.
But whispers continue, the question too frightening to be asked out loud. What about Class F?
Controlled versus Uncontrolled
Dividing our airspace into controlled and uncontrolled is a reasonable convention. In controlled airspace, we are under the jurisdiction of ATC, air traffic control. Although this may sound oppressive, it’s really a pretty good arrangement. In controlled airspace, pilots can receive ATC services such as flight following, and flight on IFR flight plans.
Airspaces with control towers are usually in controlled airspace, typically Bravo, Charlie, or Delta. There are some exceptions to this, though. Temporary towers may exist at some airports in either Class Echo or Golf airspace. This is usually to accommodate heavy traffic due to some local special-event. Remembering that Class G is UNcontrolled airspace, Class G airports can still, on rare occasions, have operating control towers.
Airspace in the Rest of the World
So far, everything we said holds up to international standards. ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, sets these standards, and came up with the idea of lettered airspaces in 1990.
By 1993, the FAA had implemented the airspace standards in the US, with one notable exception – Class F. If you’ve only flown in the United States, that probably sounds funny. Class Foxtrot. But, yes. Class F is real thing. Just not around here.
Class F is the lost letter in the alphabetic list of airspaces in the US. It’s simply not recognized by the FAA. If you want to experience flight in Class Foxtrot airspace, visit our neighbor to the north, Canada. Or, go visit the continent down under. Australia also recognizes Class F airspace.
What the Heck is Class F Airspace
In countries where Class Foxtrot exists, it is generally considered to be uncontrolled, although you can receive ATC clearances there. Back in the US, you’re on your own in uncontrolled Class G, unless you need some type of emergency assistance. In fact, Class G is the only US airspace where you can fly in conditions that would otherwise be considered IMC – instrument meteorological conditions. In daytime, below 1,200 feet AGL, you can legally fly with just one mile of visibility. Is that smart? No, but it is legal.
Where Class Foxtrot exists, it’s really more akin to a Special Use airspace, where certain volumes are separated due to some types of special activity. It is uncontrolled, but VFR and IFR ATC services are usually available.
Before you leave the confines of the US national airspace system, you definitely need to learn about the rules and standards that exist across the border. Don’t assume that it’s just like flying in the US.
It’s a Unicorn
Class F is sort of a unicorn. Bing’s AI (Co-Pilot) claims that “ICAO does not have a Class F airspace.” Google’s AI, however, correctly says, “ICAO Class F airspace is a specific type of airspace defined by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.”
So, Class F is clearly one of the recognized international airspace classes. It’s just not used in the US, and is probably not much of an issue in many other countries, either. But what a great piece of knowledge to have next time the topic of airspaces comes up. I have this one queued up in my brain, just waiting on the Jeopardy category of Airspace Classes.
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