I don't have it in front of me, but if you look in the FAR for the definition of Class A, you'll see there are lateral as well as vertical boundaries. You can be over some parts of AK and HI (and other areas) and not be in Class A above 18,000. Don't take my word for it though, check it out. Always helps to see it for yourself.
When are you required to file IFR?
- Thread starter JaceTheAce
- Start date
meritflyer
Well-Known Member
FAR 71.33 explains it. AK and HI dont count since they have their own little airspace and regulation system.
fish314
Well-Known Member
Let me start by saying that I don't know how much of this translates to the civilian world, but for AIR FORCE pilots there is an acronym that we use to remember the answer to this question.
The acronym is IWANA, the times when you are supposed to file IFR:
I- Practice instrument approaches
W- Weather below VFR minimums for the type of airspace you are in.
A- Class A airspace
N- Night {this doesn't apply to civilians, but the reg. for military USAF guys says, '(file IFR when) Operating a fixed-wing aircraft at night, unless the mission cannot be conducted under IFR.'}
A- When operating on Federal Airways.
These might not apply to civilians (in fact the Night IFR thing definitely doesn't), but it might be a good place to start looking.
The acronym is IWANA, the times when you are supposed to file IFR:
I- Practice instrument approaches
W- Weather below VFR minimums for the type of airspace you are in.
A- Class A airspace
N- Night {this doesn't apply to civilians, but the reg. for military USAF guys says, '(file IFR when) Operating a fixed-wing aircraft at night, unless the mission cannot be conducted under IFR.'}
A- When operating on Federal Airways.
These might not apply to civilians (in fact the Night IFR thing definitely doesn't), but it might be a good place to start looking.
meritflyer
Well-Known Member
I - Civilians dont need to be on an IFR plan
W - Correct
A - Correct
N - You got it right. No civilian.
A - Civilians need not apply.
Good acronym though.
MidlifeFlyer
Well-Known Member
It's not really that. The FAR apply there too.
From an international perspective, Class A is more or less defined, like all other airspace, by authorized pilot, degree of control, communication and equipment requirements.
=Where= it is located can vary a lot. =Generally= in the US, Class A exists above 18,000'. Hawaii and parts of Alaska are exceptions in the US. But, for example, in the UK, Class A exists at the =surface= in some places, notably Heathrow airport