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Airspace Categories and Types

AIM ¶ 3-1-1 — Airspace Categories and Types

AIM 3-1-1 explains the two airspace categories (regulatory, nonregulatory) and four types pilots must know for checkrides and written tests.

In Plain English

AIM 3-1-1 introduces how the National Airspace System is organized. The FAA divides airspace into two categories:

  • Regulatory: Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace, plus restricted and prohibited areas.
  • Nonregulatory: Military Operations Areas (MOAs), warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing areas (CFAs), and national security areas (NSAs).

Within those categories there are four types of airspace:

  • Controlled
  • Uncontrolled
  • Special use
  • Other

The FAA decides which category and type applies based on:

  • The complexity or density of aircraft movements,
  • The nature of the operations conducted there,
  • The level of safety required, and
  • The national and public interest.

Why it matters: each class of airspace carries different entry requirements, equipment rules, weather minimums, and ATC services. Knowing where one type ends and another begins is essential for legal, safe flight planning — and is a guaranteed topic on your written test, oral exam, and checkride. Detailed coverage of special use airspace appears in AIM paragraphs 3-4-1 through 3-4-8.

AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 3-1-1
3-1-1. 3-1-1. General There are two categories of airspace or airspace areas: Regulatory (Class A, B, C, D and E airspace areas, restricted and prohibited areas); and Nonregulatory (military operations areas [MOA], warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing areas [CFA], and national security areas [NSA]). NOTE- Additional information on special use airspace (prohibited areas, restricted areas [permanent or temporary], warning areas, MOAs [permanent or temporary], alert areas, CFAs, and NSAs) may be found in Chapter 3 , Airspace, Section 4 , Special Use Airspace, paragraphs 3-4-1 through 3-4-8 . Within these two categories, there are four types: Controlled, Uncontrolled, Special use, and Other airspace. The categories and types of airspace are dictated by: The complexity or density of aircraft movements, The nature of the operations conducted within the airspace, The level of safety required, and The national and public interest. It is important that pilots be familiar with the operational requirements for each of the various types or classes of airspace. Subsequent sections will cover each class in sufficient detail to facilitate understanding.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What are the two categories of airspace, and which subdivisions fall under each?
Per AIM 3-1-1, airspace is divided into Regulatory (Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas, plus restricted and prohibited areas) and Nonregulatory (MOAs, warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing areas, and national security areas).
Q2What are the four types of airspace within those two categories?
Per AIM 3-1-1, the four types are Controlled, Uncontrolled, Special Use, and Other airspace.
Q3What factors determine how a piece of airspace is categorized and classified?
Per AIM 3-1-1, classification is dictated by the complexity or density of aircraft movements, the nature of operations conducted within the airspace, the level of safety required, and the national and public interest.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 3
3-1-2
Airspace Dimensions Reference
3-1-3
Overlapping Airspace Hierarchy
3-1-4
Basic VFR Weather Minimums
3-1-5
VFR Cruising Altitudes
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AIM 3-1-1 — Airspace Categories & Types Overview