In brief

The SERA system has seven airspace classes, A to G, each of which sets out which air traffic services a pilot can expect and which obligations apply. Classes A to E are controlled airspace, class F provides an advisory service and class G a flight information service. Under SERA.6001, all airspace above FL195 is class C.12

Class A

Who may fly: Under SERA.6001, only IFR flights are permitted in class A. ATC clearance: An ATC clearance is mandatory for all flights in class A. Separation: All flights in class A receive an air traffic control service and are separated from each other. Radio: Continuous two-way radio communication with air traffic control is mandatory for all flights in class A. Speed: According to Appendix 4 of SERA, there is no speed limit in class A. VMC minima (VFR): SERA gives VMC minima for class A for information only; this does not mean that VFR flights are admitted to class A.1

Class C

Who may fly: Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted in class C. ATC clearance: An ATC clearance is mandatory for all flights in class C. Separation: In class C, IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and from VFR flights, and VFR flights from IFR flights. Traffic information: VFR flights in class C receive traffic information about other VFR flights and traffic avoidance advice on request. Radio: Radio equipment is mandatory for IFR and VFR in class C and continuous two-way radio contact is required. Speed: In class C, a speed limit of 250 kt IAS applies to VFR flights below 3050 m (10,000 ft) AMSL. VMC minima (VFR): The VMC minima for VFR in class C are: below FL100, 5 km visibility, and at and above FL100, 8 km visibility, both with 1500 m horizontal and 300 m (1000 ft) vertical distance from cloud.12

Class D

Who may fly: Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted in class D. ATC clearance: An ATC clearance is mandatory for all flights in class D. Separation: In class D, only IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights; VFR flights receive no separation in class D. Traffic information: In class D, VFR flights receive traffic information about all other flights, and IFR flights receive traffic information about VFR flights; traffic avoidance advice is available on request. Radio: Radio equipment is mandatory for IFR and VFR in class D and continuous two-way radio contact is required. Speed: In class D, a speed limit of 250 kt IAS applies to all flights below 3050 m (10,000 ft) AMSL. VMC minima (VFR): For VFR in class D, the VMC minima are the same as in class C: below FL100, 5 km visibility, at and above FL100, 8 km, with 1500 m horizontal and 300 m (1000 ft) vertical distance from cloud.12

For comparison: classes B, E and G

Class B: In class B, IFR and VFR are permitted, all flights receive an air traffic control service, all flights are separated from each other and an ATC clearance is mandatory for all flights. Class E: In class E, only IFR flights receive an air traffic control service and separation from other IFR flights, and only IFR flights need an ATC clearance. All flights in class E receive traffic information as far as is practical, and under SERA class E may not be used for control zones. Class G: In class G, IFR and VFR are permitted, flights receive a flight information service on request and no ATC clearance is needed. For VFR in class G at and below 3000 ft (900 m) AMSL, the minima are 5 km visibility, clear of cloud and with the surface in sight. For all flights in class G, a speed limit of 250 kt IAS applies below 3050 m (10,000 ft) AMSL. Transponder: Under SERA.6005, a transponder is mandatory in a transponder mandatory zone (TMZ) designated by the authority, regardless of the airspace class.12

What it means for a student pilot (PPL)

Because an ATC clearance is mandatory for all flights in classes C and D, a VFR pilot with a PPL also needs a clearance before entering a class C or D CTR. No ATC clearance is needed in class G, including for VFR. In class D, a VFR pilot receives no separation from other traffic but does receive traffic information; keeping a lookout therefore remains the pilot's own task there.12

Frequently asked questions

Can you fly VFR in class A?: No, under SERA only IFR flights are permitted in class A. What is the difference between class C and D?: In class C, ATC separates VFR flights from IFR flights; in class D, VFR flights receive no separation, only traffic information and traffic avoidance advice on request. Do you need a clearance in a CTR?: Yes, in both class C and class D an ATC clearance is mandatory for all flights, including VFR. Is a CTR class C or D?: That varies by CTR: some CTRs are class C and others class D. Does the 250 kt speed limit apply everywhere?: In class D, 250 kt IAS applies to all flights below 3050 m (10,000 ft) AMSL, in class C only to VFR flights, and in class A there is no speed limit. Which class applies above FL195?: Class C: under SERA.6001, all airspace above FL195 is class C.12