VFR Class E CZ

mcfly · Post by **mcfly** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:17 pm

i don't get Class E

When tower shuts down at nightime primetime --> CZ becomes class E.
But aren't VFR using the airport really doing uncontrolled MF. How is it class E if there is no one there and no FSS guy communicating info ala RCO? Or is FSS peeping in without communicating?

side question --> What about a CARS class E....do they shut er down at night and become G or are they usually 24/7.

also-->Same shiz for low level class E airways? So class E means it's controlled but really it's G for VFR?

WRX · Post by **WRX** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:21 pm

Class E

It is controlled for IFR and uncontrolled for VFR. It's kinda busy airspace so that IFR traffic can get the protection from other IFR traffic. but not that busy to have everyone controlled.

mcfly · Post by **mcfly** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:35 pm

i hate to ask...but when tower shuts down --> who controls IFR and is it still on tower's frequency?

Pygmie · Post by **Pygmie** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:55 pm

mcfly wrote:i hate to ask...but when tower shuts down --> who controls IFR and is it still on tower's frequency?

IFR aircraft are controlled from the centers. Even when tower is open, IFR aircraft are still controlled from the centers from the time their wheels leave the ground until the time they touch down at their destination.

However, that being said, there are a lot of towers with agreements with the centers giving control to the towers for things like Automatic Departure Release, Control Transfer, etc., but for the most part IFR aircraft are controlled from the centers.

When the tower's closed, the IFR traffic is still controlled by the center, the only difference is that there isn't a tower controller to issue pre-taxi clearances or takeoff/landing clearances. The clearances have to be relayed by either a FSS or by phone.

altiplano · Post by **altiplano** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:38 pm

cpl_atc wrote: An airway is Class E airspace from 2,200AGLup to...

Or the MEA - whichever is higher...

mikegtzg · Post by **mikegtzg** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:18 pm

CPL ATC

Your answer to this question is the best description I have ever heard/seen/ described anywhere. Especialy the part about airways. As they are likely the least understood. The references in the AIM and flight training books like FTGU are very vague. And I have yet to hear a flight instructor describe this properly.
Thanks,

Morav · Post by **Morav** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:33 pm

I think your mixing up controlled/uncontrolled airspace with controlled/uncontrolled aerodromes.
2 different things, but also interrelated.

Keep in mind that MF is selected for use at uncontrolled aerodromes where there is a high volume of mixed traffic(IFR n VFR). MFs CZ are designated class 'E' airspace, so it is controlled airspace.
Flying VFR you don't need a clearance to enter or exit any type of class E airspace, but you do need to have the weather requirements to operate within it legally. i.e. 3sm, 500ft vertical separation etc.

Some MF CZ have radio/FSS and some don't. They will give you traffic information and mainly provide services for IFR traffic.

So why the MF, well my understanding is...
that they don't want any NORDO a/c operating in very marginal weather while IFR guys are doing approaches in IMC.

I'm sure i missed a lot of stuff...

Once you start learning IFR things that didn't make sense before start too!