FAR 71.61 — Class D Airspace
FAR 71.61 explains how Class D airspace is designated around primary airports and what operating rules apply. Key knowledge for student pilots.
In Plain English
FAR 71.61 establishes how Class D airspace is designated in the United States. The specific Class D areas — their boundaries, dimensions, and effective times — are not listed in the regulation itself. Instead, they are published in subpart D of FAA Order JO 7400.11K, which is incorporated by reference into the FARs (see § 71.1).
Key points to know:
- Each Class D area is built around at least one primary airport, typically one with an operating control tower.
- All operators flying inside Class D airspace must comply with the operating rules and equipment requirements of Part 91 (think two-way radio communications, weather minimums, and tower clearance to operate at the primary airport).
- To find the exact lateral and vertical limits of any specific Class D area, pilots reference the FAA Order or the charted depiction on a sectional or terminal chart.
Why it matters operationally: before flying into a tower-controlled field with Class D airspace, you need to know the boundaries, establish two-way radio communication with ATC, and follow Part 91 rules — this section is the legal hook that ties all of that together.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 71.61§ 71.61 Class D airspace.
The Class D airspace areas listed in subpart D of FAA Order JO 7400.11K (incorporated by reference, see § 71.1) consist of specified airspace within which all aircraft operators are subject to operating rules and equipment requirements specified in part 91 of this chapter. Each Class D airspace area designated for an airport in subpart D of FAA Order JO 7400.11K (incorporated by reference, see § 71.1) contains at least one primary airport around which the airspace is designated.
Effective Date Note:
By Docket FAA-2025-1763, Amdt. 71-57, 90 FR 41890, Aug. 28, 2025, § 71.61 was amended by removing “FAA Order JO 7400.11J” wherever it appears and adding in its place “FAA Order JO 7400.11K”, effective Sept. 15, 2025, through Sept. 15, 2026.
[Docket 29334, 73 FR 54495, Sept. 22, 2008, as amended by Amdt. 71-40, 73 FR 60940, Oct. 15, 2008; Amdt. 71-41, 74 FR 46490, Sept. 10, 2009; Amdt. 71-42, 75 FR 55269, Sept. 10, 2010; Amdt. 71-43, 76 FR 53329, Aug. 26, 2011; Amdt. 71-44, 77 FR 50908, Aug. 23, 2012; Amdt. 71-45, 78 FR 52848, Aug. 27, 2013; Amdt. 71-46, 79 FR 51888, Sept. 2, 2014; Amdt. 71-47, 80 FR 51937, Aug. 27, 2015; Amdt. 71-48, 81 FR 55372, Aug. 19, 2016; Amdt. 71-49, 82 FR 40069, Aug. 24, 2017; Amdt. 71-50, 83 FR 43757, Aug. 28, 2018; Amdt. 71-51, 84 FR 45652, Aug. 30, 2019; Amdt. 71-52, 85 FR 50780, Aug. 18, 2020; Amdt. 71-53, 86 FR 46963, Aug. 23, 2021; Docket FAA-2022-1022, Amdt. 71-54, 87 FR 54878, Sept. 8, 2022; Docket FAA-2023-1785, Amdt. 71-55, 88 FR 58072, Aug. 25, 2023; Docket FAA-2024-2061, Amdt. 71-56, 89 FR 68339, Aug. 26, 2024; Docket FAA-2025-1763, Amdt. 71-57, 90 FR 41890, Aug. 28, 2025]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Where are the specific Class D airspace areas actually defined, and what rules apply inside them?
Per FAR 71.61, individual Class D areas are listed in subpart D of FAA Order JO 7400.11K, incorporated by reference. Inside them, all operators must comply with the operating rules and equipment requirements of Part 91.
Q2Does every Class D airspace area have to be associated with an airport?
Yes. FAR 71.61 states that each Class D airspace area designated in subpart D of FAA Order JO 7400.11K contains at least one primary airport around which the airspace is designated.
Q3If FAR 71.61 doesn't give you the dimensions of a Class D area, how do you find them as a pilot?
FAR 71.61 points to FAA Order JO 7400.11K, subpart D, for the specific airspace descriptions. Practically, pilots get those boundaries from sectional or terminal charts and the Chart Supplement, which reflect that order.
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Related Sections in Part 71