Air Traffic Control Entities

Airspace Classifications

There are many types of controlled airspace that are organized by specific classifications. These classifications range from Class A to Class G and each class has its own restrictions as well. To give you an idea on what these restrictions are, Class A airspace is for an aircraft operating at 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600 where Class C is restricted to the surface on the airport to 4,000 feet above airport elevation (FAA, 2016). Also most airports have their own classification, based on its size and volume of aircraft that arrive and depart on a daily basis.

RDU vs FAY

   As illustrated in the chart above, there is a big difference between a Class B (surface to 10,000 feet MSL) and a Class C airport (FAA, 2016). Two airports that can be used as an example is Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). While RDU is a Class B Airport, FAY is a smaller airport and categorized as a Class C airport. Although there are multiple similarities with both the airports, there are several differences that could be explored as well. Additionally, these similarities are directed to how they support air traffic management as well. Even though RDU is larger than FAY, the similarities extend to all airports in general. All airports are strategically placed into an airspace classification, they all have directed landing requirements that are in place, and they have specified altitudes they must operate. Also, they all have communication requirements and monitoring that they must abide to as well. Due to these similar requirements, this has assisted in the success of how each airport operates.

Differences

As for differences, there are several of those aspects as well, especially with RDU in comparison to FAY. With a larger airport like RDU, Air Traffic Controllers (ATC’s) must be highly proficient in their duties. The reason is because hundreds of flights leave on a daily basis and there is so much air space traffic that one mistake could be a fatal mistake if not actioned correctly. Also, RDU has more lighting and visual aids due to having more runways so that departing and arriving aircraft can distinguish between where they are to land and depart from. An airport like FAY, since it is a smaller airport, might not have as much lighting and less visuals due to having only one runway. Also, that makes an ATC’s job a lot easier since they do not deal with the volume that RDU deals with. Lastly, with FAY, there is less of a chance of having communication congestion due to small amount of volume that it has compared to RDU. 

Conclusion

 The FAA has directed Airspace Classifications for a reason. There are many airports and they need to be categorized based on their size and volume of aircraft that depart and arrive on a daily basis. As compared above, there are many similarities and differences between a Class B and Class C airport. Although those similarities apply to all airports, the differences can range or change depending on the classification of the airport. Most importantly, understanding these classifications will illustrate how each entity supports air traffic management and what level is needed to in regards to air traffic management for each of these classifications.  

References

FAA. (2016). Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved From https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/media/17_phak_ch15.pdf