Chapter 16. Class C Airspace

Section 1. General

16-1-1. PURPOSE

Class C airspace areas are designed to improve aviation safety by reducing the risk of midair collisions in the ­terminal area and enhance the management of air traffic operations therein. Aircraft operating in these airspace ­areas are subject to certain operating rules and equipment requirements.

16-1-2. NONRULEMAKING ALTERNATIVES

Before initiating a Class C airspace proposal, determine if there are nonrulemaking alternatives that could ­resolve the operational issue(s). If nonrulemaking alternatives resolve the issue(s), no Class C rulemaking action ­is required.

16-1-3. RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. The Rules and Regulations Group (AJV-P2) is responsible for oversight of the Class C airspace ­designation/modification/revocation process and issuance of all Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and ­final rules. The Rules and Regulations Group will provide assistance, as needed, to the Service Centers in ­developing Class C airspace proposals.
  2. The Service Center is responsible for coordination to determine Class C airspace candidacy or the need ­for modifications or revocation of an existing area. As part of this responsibility, the Service Center must request ­a staff study be accomplished by the appropriate office and perform an analysis of the staff study. All Class C ­airspace establishment, modification, or revocation plans must be coordinated with the Rules and Regulations ­Group prior to any public announcement

16-1-4. SERVICE CENTER EVALUATION

  1. Service Centers must biennially evaluate existing Class C airspace areas to determine if the area meets ­candidacy requirements, satisfies the intended purpose of reducing the potential for midair collision, and ­enhances the management of air traffic operations in the terminal area. Some suggested evaluation ­considerations include, but are not limited to:
    1. The Class C standards in this chapter;
    2. Airspace modeling results (PDARS, TARGETS, etc.);
    3. Traffic Alert Collision Avoidance System - Resolution Advisories;
    4. User feedback/controller input;
    5. Safety reports (ATSAP, ASRS, etc.);
    6. Significant changes in airport operations and/or terminal area traffic flows; and/or
    7. Airport runway configuration changes.
  2. The Service Center must document the biennial evaluation to the file, with an information copy of the ­evaluation sent to the Rules and Regulations Group. If the evaluation indicates that airspace modifications or ­revocation should be made, Service Centers must follow the applicable procedures in this order.