Section 2. Transitional Airspace

18-2-1. PURPOSE

Transitional areas, Class E, are designated to serve terminal and en route aircraft to include helicopter operations such as:

a. Transitioning to/from terminal and en route.

b. Transiting between airways and routes.

c. En route climbs or descents.

d. Holding.

e. Radar vectors.

f. Providing for course changes.

g. When the route under consideration is almost all within existing Class E airspace and small additions would complete the coverage.

NOTE-
The only areas that are normally excluded in the Class E description should be limited to Mexico, Canada, SUA and international airspace. Exclude SUA only when active. Do not exclude Federal Airways or other airspace areas.

h. En route training operations.

18-2-2. 700/1,200-FOOT CLASS E AIRSPACE

Class E-5 700/1200-foot airspace areas are used for transitioning aircraft to/from the terminal or en route environment.

18-2-3. 700-FOOT CLASS E AIRSPACE

A Class E-5 airspace area with a base of 700 feet above the surface must be designated to accommodate arriving IFR operations below 1,500 feet above the surface and departing IFR operations until they reach 1,200 feet above the surface.

18-2-4. 1,200-FOOT CLASS E AIRSPACE

Where sufficient controlled airspace does not exist, designate a 1,200 foot Class E-5 airspace area to accommodate arriving IFR operations at 1,500 feet and higher above the surface and departing IFR operations from the point they reach 1,200 feet above the surface until reaching overlying or adjacent controlled airspace.

18-2-5. CLASS E AIRSPACE FLOORS ABOVE 1,200 FEET

Class E-5 airspace areas may be established with MSL floors above 1,200 feet AGL. Normally floors will be at least 300 feet below the minimum IFR altitude.

18-2-6. COORDINATION OF MISSED APPROACH ALTITUDES

Coordination must be initiated with the appropriate FPT or military representatives to adjust missed approach altitudes upward to at least 1,500 feet above the terrain at locations where existing procedures specify lower altitudes and such action can be accomplished without penalty to overall IFR operations or without exceeding TERPS criteria.