U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Chapter 17. Class D Airspace

Section 1. General

17-1-1. PURPOSE

Class D airspace areas are terminal airspace that consist of specified airspace (i.e., Surface Areas) within which all aircraft operators are subject to operating rules and equipment requirements. Service area offices are responsible for the coordination and implementation of Class D airspace designations.

a. Generally, a surface area is designated Class D airspace to provide controlled airspace for terminal VFR or IFR operations at airports having a control tower.

b. For non-towered airports requiring a surface area, the airspace will be designated Class E, see FAAO JO 7400.9, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points.

c. The designation of navigable airspace outside of the United States is the responsibility of Airspace and Rules (e.g., U.S. territories).

17-1-2. REGIONAL/SERVICE AREA OFFICE EVALUATION

a. Service area offices shall biennially evaluate existing and candidate Class D airspace areas using the information contained in this chapter as a guideline.

b. If the conclusion of an evaluation indicates that airspace modifications should be made, regions/service area offices shall follow the applicable procedures in this order.

17-1-3. DESIGNATION

If the communications and weather observation reporting requirements of paragraphs 17-2-9 and 17-2-10 are met, a surface area:

a. Shall be designated where a FAA control tower is in operation. Final rules will not be published in the Federal Register prior to a control tower becoming operational at the primary airport.

b. May be designated where a non-FAA control tower is in operation.

c. Shall be designated to accommodate instrument procedures (planned, published, special, arrival, and departure) if such action is justified and/or in the public interest. The following factors should be considered:

1. Type of procedure, including decision height or minimum descent altitude.

2. The actual use to be made of the procedure, including whether a certificated air carrier or an air taxi/commuter operator providing service to the general public uses it.

NOTE-
For special instrument procedures, consideration should be given to availability to other users.

3. The operational and economic advantage offered by the procedure, including the importance and interest to the commerce and welfare of the community.

4. Any other factors considered appropriate.

17-1-4. TIME OF DESIGNATION

Class D or surface areas may be designated full-time or part-time. If part-time, the effective time shall be stated in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Service area offices shall insure effective times are forwarded to NFDC to be published in the NFDD.

17-1-5. PART TIME SURFACE AREAS

a. A provision may be incorporated in part-time Class D surface area designations (rules) to allow, by Notices to Airmen, for changes when minor variations in time of designation are anticipated. To apply this provision a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and final rule shall be issued which provides the following statement in the specific airspace designation: "This surface area is effective during the specific dates and times established, in advance, by a Notice to Airmen."

b. The effective date and time will thereafter be continuously published. Information concerning these surface areas shall be carried in the following publications as applicable:

1. The Airport/Facility Directory for the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands.

2. United States Flight Information Publication Supplement Alaska.

3. The Pacific Chart Supplement.

c. Notices to Airmen specifying the dates and times of a designated part-time area may be issued by the appropriate facility only after coordination with the regional/service area office The service area office shall assure that such action is justified and in the public interest.