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Airspace Classes

UK airspace is divided into classes. These classes describe how Air Traffic Services (ATS) are provided and how aircraft are managed in different parts of controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

For drone operations, airspace class is only one part of the assessment. Drone pilots must also check Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs), Restricted Areas, Prohibited Areas, Danger Areas, temporary restrictions, Notice to Airmen / Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs), local site rules and the limits of the category or authorisation being used.

Summary for drone operations below 120 m AGL

Class UK status Airspace type Relevance to drone operations below 120 m AGL
Class A Used Controlled No separate airspace-class permission is required for VLOS drone operations below 120 m AGL when outside an FRZ and any other applicable restriction.
Class B Not used Controlled Not used in UK airspace.
Class C Used Controlled No separate airspace-class permission is required for VLOS drone operations below 120 m AGL when outside an FRZ and any other applicable restriction.
Class D Used Controlled Controlled airspace that may start at the surface, including some Control Zones (CTRs). No separate airspace-class permission is required for VLOS drone operations below 120 m AGL when outside an FRZ and any other applicable restriction.
Class E Used Controlled No separate airspace-class permission is required for VLOS drone operations below 120 m AGL when outside an FRZ and any other applicable restriction.
Class F Not used Withdrawn Not utilised in UK airspace.
Class G Used Uncontrolled Default airspace classification where another airspace class does not apply. No airspace-class permission is required, but other restrictions may still apply.

Class A

Class A is controlled airspace reserved for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic.

In the UK, Class A may exist below Flight Level 195 (FL195) in certain airways and terminal control areas. Local bases and limits are published in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), including ENR 1.4 and the relevant charting information. UK airspace above FL195 is Class C rather than Class A. The UK AIP describes UK Air Traffic Services (ATS) airspace classification using Classes A, C, D, E, F and G, with local details published in the AIP.

For VLOS drone operations below 120 m AGL, Class A does not create a separate airspace-class permission requirement when the flight is outside an FRZ and any other applicable restriction. This does not remove the need to check FRZs, Restricted Areas, Prohibited Areas, Danger Areas, NOTAMs, temporary restrictions, local site rules and any authorisation conditions.

Operations above 120 m AGL are permitted only where a published exception applies, such as the tall-structure allowance, or where the operation is covered by an appropriate CAA authorisation. If the operation enters controlled airspace above 120 m AGL, the operator must follow any notification or coordination requirement published for that airspace or stated in the authorisation.

Class B

Class B is not used in UK airspace.

Class C

Class C is controlled airspace used by both IFR and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic, with air traffic services provided according to the applicable rules and procedures.

In the UK, all airspace above FL195 is Class C. Some controlled areas below FL195 may also be Class C, depending on the local airspace structure. The exact limits are published in the UK AIP and current aeronautical charting.

For VLOS drone operations below 120 m AGL, Class C does not create a separate airspace-class permission requirement when the flight is outside an FRZ and any other applicable restriction. This does not remove the need to check FRZs, Restricted Areas, Prohibited Areas, Danger Areas, NOTAMs, temporary restrictions, local site rules and any authorisation conditions.

Operations above 120 m AGL are permitted only where a published exception applies, such as the tall-structure allowance, or where the operation is covered by an appropriate CAA authorisation. If the operation enters controlled airspace above 120 m AGL, the operator must follow any notification or coordination requirement published for that airspace or stated in the authorisation.

Class D

Class D is controlled airspace commonly found around larger aerodromes. It may include Control Zones (CTRs), Control Areas (CTAs) and airspace associated with approach and departure routes.

Class D can start at the surface in some CTRs, or at a higher base in some CTAs. For Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) drone operations below 120 m / 400 ft, being in Class D controlled airspace does not by itself require permission when the flight is outside an FRZ and any other applicable restriction.

For drone operations below 120 m AGL, Class D does not automatically prevent flight. A drone flight outside an FRZ does not require air traffic control (ATC) clearance solely because it is in Class D airspace. If the flight is inside an FRZ, the required aerodrome permission must be obtained.

Other restrictions may still apply, including Restricted Areas, Prohibited Areas, Danger Areas, NOTAMs, temporary restrictions and local site rules.

Operations above 120 m AGL are permitted only where a published exception applies, such as the tall-structure allowance, or where the operation is covered by an appropriate CAA authorisation. If the operation enters controlled airspace above 120 m AGL, the operator must follow any notification or coordination requirement published for that airspace or stated in the authorisation.

Class E

Class E is controlled airspace. It is used where a known traffic environment is required for IFR flights, while VFR flights may operate with fewer requirements than in Classes C or D, subject to the applicable rules and local procedures. The CAA’s airspace classification policy states that, within the UK Flight Information Regions (FIRs), Class E may be notified where a known traffic environment is necessary only for IFR flights, and that Class E is not used for CTRs.

Class E airspace has published lateral and vertical limits. Those limits are shown in the UK AIP and current aeronautical charting.

For VLOS drone operations below 120 m AGL, Class E does not create a separate airspace-class permission requirement when the flight is outside an FRZ and any other applicable restriction. This does not remove the need to check FRZs, Restricted Areas, Prohibited Areas, Danger Areas, NOTAMs, temporary restrictions, local site rules and any authorisation conditions.

Operations above 120 m AGL are permitted only where a published exception applies, such as the tall-structure allowance, or where the operation is covered by an appropriate CAA authorisation. If the operation enters controlled airspace above 120 m AGL, the operator must follow any notification or coordination requirement published for that airspace or stated in the authorisation.

Class F

Class F is not utilised in UK airspace. The CAA confirmed the replacement of Class F airspace in the UK FIRs in 2014, and later CAA policy material states that Class F is not utilised within the UK.

Class F previously referred to advisory airspace. It is not relevant to current UK drone operations because it is not utilised in UK airspace.

Class G

Class G is uncontrolled airspace. It is the default classification where controlled airspace does not apply.

Class G applies wherever airspace has not been designated as another class. A drone operation in Class G does not require permission because of the airspace class itself. The pilot or operator must still check whether the location is affected by an FRZ, Restricted Area, Prohibited Area, Danger Area, NOTAM, temporary restriction, local byelaw, landowner restriction or any condition in the relevant Operational Authorisation (OA).

Operations above 120 m AGL are permitted only where a published exception applies, such as the tall-structure allowance, or where the operation is covered by an appropriate CAA authorisation. If the operation enters controlled airspace above 120 m AGL, the operator must follow any notification or coordination requirement published for that airspace or stated in the authorisation.