Pilot's tip of the week

Class D Communications

Featuring

Subscriber question:

"Should you report clear of Class D airspace when exiting the area after departure?" - Tom C.

Not subscribed yet? Sign up here to receive tips like this every week.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Bob:

“No, there is no requirement to report clear of the Class D airspace when exiting, except when requested by the Tower.

class_d_comm.png

Occasionally the Tower will request this report if traffic is a factor or you are on a special VFR clearance.

It’s important to recognize that a pilot is required to maintain two-way communications with the Tower while in the Class D airspace. Therefore, it is important to know the boundaries of a particular Class D.

Generally, the Class D is constructed using a four nautical mile radius around a towered airport and extends up to 2500 feet AGL. However, a given Class D might be tailored to accommodate specific instrument approaches.

Details on the configuration of a specific Class D airspace can be found on sectional charts.”

(NEW) VFR Mastery scenario #96 “Hat Trick” is now available. Your mostly grown children go to college or work in three states across the midwest. Visiting one by car is a long drive both ways, but you can plan a loop trip in your Mooney and get all three with ease. It’s your spouse’s birthday soon and you concoct a plan to meet each kid for dinner over a long weekend as a birthday surprise—if the weather cooperates. It’s July and convection plus your lagging IFR proficiency makes VFR a must. Cells will move through over the next three days, but there should be a sequence of destinations and a set of routes that will make this plan work, right? Watch the Intro video.

Get the Pilot’s Tip of the Week

Sign up here to receive tips like this every week along with videos, quizzes and more.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.