AIR SPACE CHARTS, FOR PARAMOTOR PILOTS FAR 103 grants ultralight pilots fantastic freedom, with only a few basic laws to abide. One of our obligations is to avoid flying in controlled air space, unless we have special permission from ATC (air traffic control) and radio contact with a control tower. Paramotors can fly freely in the overwhelming majority of the US air space, and there is typically no need whatsoever to launch or land at busy commercial airports, so it's not difficult to find places to fly. It's essential to learn how to read air space charts to avoid the select areas of the sky where you can get into trouble (almost entirely near large airports and government facilities), if you want to avoid legal hot water. You can find free air space charts online at: https://www.iflightplanner.com/AviationCharts/ https://skyvector.com/ Below are descriptions of the most important markings to be aware of on the charts: Class A: *A*bove 18,000 feet. You need permission and radio contact to fly above 18,000 feet. Generally, the higher you go, the more large aircraft you are likely to encounter, and communication with a tower is a good idea if you'll be flying up at high altitudes, even if you're below the legal 18,000 foot limit. Be aware that, although it's not a legal requirement, any altitude above 12,000 feet generally requires supplemental oxygen. Staying up that high for a long period can lead to hypoxia and edema. Also, be aware that flying above 10,000 feet does involve some changes to the visibility and cloud clearance rules of the class E space below that altitude (see FAR 103). Class B (blue rings): These are the *B*ig airports. They are enclosed in concentric thick blue (mostly circular) lines. The 3D shape of Class B air space is often described as looking like an 'upside down wedding cake'. You need to pay attention to the numbers which appear as fractions within these rings (one number over another). The bottom number of the fraction tells us the altitude at which the class B restriction starts, and the top number tells us where it ends. You need to add 2 zeros to those numbers to get the actual altitudes. For example, 40/70 means that you CAN'T fly between 4000 and 7000 feet in that section of the concentric rings. 'SFC' means 'surface', so SFC/70 means you can't fly anywhere from the surface to 7000 feet (typically, right around an airport's landing strip). The bottom number is the most important one for paramotor pilots. Generally, it's perfectly legal to fly anywhere BELOW that bottom number. In practice, however, it's typically a good idea to give some extra buffer and stay well beneath that altitude. If your ceiling (that bottom number in the 'fraction') is 4000, for example, it's probably best to go no higher than 3000', for example. Remember, there is most likely a lot of busy air traffic in that class B space, such as large commercial airliners coming in to land, and you should stay very far away from such big craft (their wake can collapse your wing and spin you around violently). Be aware that although large aircraft typically do fly within the listed class B altitude range, they are NOT REQUIRED TO. It is possible, for example, that during certain weather conditions such as low clouds and reduced visibility, general aviation craft MAY come down into the airspace below the listed range. Also, understand that although it is legal to fly above the top number in the 'fraction', if you have an engine out up there, for example, and are forced to descend in through the class B space, you will be breaking the law. Except in rare circumstances, just plan to stay below class B airspace, and be vigilant of air traffic. Class C (magenta rings): These are often large *C*ommercial airports. The thick magenta rings and 'fraction' numbers mean the same thing to us as in Class B space. Add 2 zeros and only fly BENEATH the altitude indicated by the bottom number. Be aware that Class C and B towers are equipped with radar, and intruding into that space is potentially a very big problem. Expect potential fines and significant legal trouble if you break that law. There generally is no reason for paramotors to fly in these areas - they represent just a tiny fraction of the US air space (typically 15 miles or less around the largest airports). Just stay away from them. Class D (broken blue lines): These are smaller (*D*iminutive) commercial airports, typically indicated by a single, mostly circular ring of dashed blue lines (not as dark as class B or C rings). Inside this space, you'll see a number surrounded by a dashed blue square. Add 2 zeros to this number, and that is the altitude you must stay ABOVE in order to fly legally. Be aware of that difference in notation, as compared to the 'fractions' in class A and B space. Essentially, what that means to paramotor pilots is that we don't fly anywhere over class D space. Remember, if you have an engine out, or otherwise unintentionally fly down below the altitude indicated by the dashed number, you are flying illegally (unless of course, you have permission from the tower). In normal situations, we simply avoid those areas. Be aware, however, that most class D airports are smaller than those surrounded by B and C space. Often, you may see a note on the chart indicating that a specific class D space reverts to class E after a given time of day. You may also discover that certain such airports have specific operations organized for ultralight activities. If you plan to regularly fly near a class D airport, call them and speak to someone about how they would like you to fly in the area. If there is already a community of ultralight pilots in the area, they may likely have operating guidelines established for where, when, and how you fly around the class D space. You should not be hesitant at all to speak with management at the tower to understand how you can interact within their air space. It is a responsible thing to do, and your attention to their operations will most likely be welcome. Class E (faded magenta boundaries): *E*verywhere else, not described by other air space markings. The blurred side of the faded magenta boundaries means that the lower shelf of the indicated class E space is at 700 feet, and the hard edge of the faded magenta boundary means that the lower shelf is at 1200 feet. The upper altitude limit of class E space typically extends all the way up to 18,000 feet (class A space). This is the space in which paramotors fly most often. You must follow FAR 103 visibility and cloud clearance requirements within this space ('5123'). There are some areas at which class E drops all the way down to the surface, marked by a dashed magenta line, typically around class D airports. Stay out of these areas - generally treat them as class D. In some remote areas, class D has a lower boundary of 14,500 feet, or some other altitude indicated on the chart. The space below E is most typically class G. Class G: *G*round space, typically from the ground up to where class A, B, C, or E space begins. In most of the country this extends up to 700 or 1200 feet, following the contour of the ground. It is the least controlled space in the US, and the most comfortable in which to fly. Remember, general aviation craft must fly above 500 feet, unless they are launching or landing. Paramotors and other ultralight craft are not held to that law, so many PPG pilots enjoy flying below that altitude, as it's the least likely place to find other craft. Be aware, though, that flying low can become a nuisance for the community on the ground (the noise especially), and that obstacles and the ground are much closer, leaving you much less time to recover from incidents such as collapses. Prohibited: Dark blue lines with a hash marks on the inside (sort of like the spokes of a comb). Typically around military, national security, and/or environmentally protected areas. Do NOT fly in these spaces under any circumstances, without permission. Restricted: Blue with wide interior hash marks. Typically around military areas, there may be times when it's OK to fly in these areas, indicated by notes on the chart, or by obtaining permission from the controlling agency. If you're considering flying in these areas, call ATC to be sure you understand the guidelines, and to let them know your intentions. MOA: Military Operations Area, magenta with interior hash marks (looks similar to the 'comb' around prohibited areas). You are permitted to fly in these areas, but there may be training operations which you should avoid. Call the controlling agency or 1-800-WX-BRIEF to be sure you won't be flying into artillery, large aircraft practice runs, or other military training operations. National Parks: Blue lines with interior blue dots. Stay 2000' feet or more above these areas. TFRs: Temporary Flight Restrictions, with NOTAMs ('notices to airmen'), marked by red circles in the charts online. You can also call 1-800-WX-BRIEF to ensure you're not flying within a TFR. When the president flies in an area, or when special events such as air shows occur in an area, flight may be restricted. It's a serious offence to fly in a TFR, so be sure that your space is clear before you launch. Victor Airways: Faint blue lines with the letter V and a number. These are routes marked by navigation beacons, often taken by large aircraft. We can fly there legally, but they should be avoided, as they're typically busy paths filled with lots of heavy air traffic. Officially, they are 8 miles wide, from 1200 to 18,000 feet. If you live or fly regularly near these paths, you're most likely familiar with the normal air traffic in these corridors. Often, they line up with the launch or landing approach at big airports, and the typically involve jets flying high as they enter and exit the class B/C space around big airports. Get to know the traffic patterns and stay well away from big aircraft. Yellow Colored Areas: Typically found around populated and developed areas, yellow colored areas on the chart are intended to show pilots how lights at night will appear from above. Although not a legal description, these yellow areas are a good indicator of 'congested' areas, which we're obligated to avoid by FAR 103. Generally, flying in these areas is a bad idea. You must be much more vigilant in these areas not to fly over open air congregations of people and anything else that could be considered a 'congested area'. There are many more markings found on charts, many of which can be safely ignored by paramotor pilots. The most common are compass rose circles (with interior hashes and compass direction guides), used to help orient navigation (although these days, most pilots just use GPS to navigate), and many altitude markings, which show the height of the tallest obstacles in each area of the map grid. For more information about the details of air space charts, see the 'Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide", available for free here: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guide/media/editions/cug-complete.pdf This document is a complete reference to every single detail found on all available air space charts. It is published and updated regularly by the FAA, so you can be sure everything it contains is the most definitive source of info about any marking you see on air space maps. If you're going to fly at a special event, or for some other reason in controlled air space, you'll need to purchase an air band radio. You can find handheld units on Amazon, with headset connections that can be used by paramotor pilots, starting around $200 or more. Amateur and HAM radio units do NOT cover the necessary aviation band frequencies.