Interactive Quiz #6:
Class D Airspace

In this quiz, which appears in abbreviated form in the April 1996 issue of IFR magazine, we'll take a look at Class D airspace, those odd little circles that surround most towered airports. Let's see how well you understand what they mean.

by Paul Bertorelli

The questions in this Brainteaser quiz are based on the relevant portions of FAR Part 91, particularly FAR 91.117.

Answer the questions as best you can, then click on the "score" button to see your score and read the explanations. If you don't like your score the first time around, you can change some of your answers and resubmit. To get the most out of this quiz, we suggest you keep trying until you get a perfect score.

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1. Class D airspace is always:
a. Four nautical miles in diameter.
b. Four statute miles in radius.
c. Four nautical miles in radius, genrally, but can vary.

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2. Under the old Part 91 rules, you could enter an airport air traffic area without a clearance. But under the new rules that alphabetized the airspace, you need a clearance to enter a Class D area.
a. True.
b. False.

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3. To have a Class D area, a tower must be operating.
a. True.
b. False.

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4. The vertical limits of Class D airspace are usually:
a. 2500 feet MSL.
b. 2500 AGL inclusive.
c. Whatever is charted.

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5. The maximum authorized speed in a Class D airspace is 200 knots indicated. ATC can waive this if necessary,
a. True.
b. False.

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6. Class D areas are sometimes depicted with blue segmented lines and magenta segmented lines. What's the difference?
a. The blue lines show controlled airspace to 1200 feet, the magenta indicate controlled airspace stops at 700 feet.
b. There is no difference.
c. The blue lines depict Class D airspace, the magenta lines show Class E surface airspace.

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7. You're receiving radar traffic advisories and are about to penetrate a Class D area. Can you assume that the radar controller will coordinate your Class D transition with the tower? Or are you expected to do it yourself?
a. The controller will let you know one way or the other.
b. You can assume the controller will do the coordination.
c. If the controller doesn't plan to coordinate the transition, he or she will say "remain clear of Class D airspace."

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8. In the above example, if the controller decided not to do the coordination, you could legally do it yourself.
a. True.
b. False.

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9. Depicted here is the Class D airspace around Ithaca, New York. What basic weather minimums are necessary to fly VFR through this area at a point six nautical miles northwest of the airport?
a. One mile vis, clear of clouds.
b. Basic VFR.
c. Special VFR minimums apply.
d. Ceiling of 1000 feet, visibility three miles.

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10. SPECIAL BONUS QUESTION: What type of airspace is represented by the solid magenta line (not the tinted area) around Farmville airport?
a. Class G.
b. Class C.
c. Class E surface.
d. Class D supplemental.
e. None of the above.

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