AIRSPACE: A WOEFULLY INCOMPLETE EXPLANATION

Questions about the National Airspace System (NAS) are the most frequently missed by aspiring RPICs taking the AKT to earn their credential under Part 107, and the reason is simple: the United States airspace system is incredibly complex. While some degree of understanding can come from self-study, genuine comprehension almost always requires face-to-face interaction with an instructor. There are literally layers upon layers of information conveyed through the sectional charts published every six months by the FAA, and unless you already know which magenta line means what, it’s hard to know what you are looking at.

A full explanation of the NAS goes far beyond the scope of this article. However, a key concept to understand is that airspace is divided into six