What do the different colors in the map mean?

 

Controlled Airspaces

Controlled airspace is an area of defined dimensions which Air Traffic Control (ATC) services are provided. The degree of control varies with different classes of airspace.  Controlled airspace in the AirMap application pertains to Part 107 and Fly for Fun 101E drone operations.

The Airmap for Drones applications visualizes all airspace advisories to a maximum of 500 ft. Above Ground Level (AGL) per Federal regulations to limit drone flight operations under 500 ft. (AGL).

 

Class B  

Class B airspace is defined around key airport traffic areas, usually airspace surrounding the busiest airports.

 

Class C  

Class C space is structured in much the same way as class B airspace, but on a smaller scale. Class C airspace is defined around airports of moderate importance.

 

Class D

Class D airspace is typically established around any airport with a functioning control tower.

 

Class E

Controlled airspace which is neither class A, B, C nor D. In most areas of the United States.  The AirMap for Drones applications displays areas where class E airspace begins at the surface.

Airport Facilities

Airport location buffers are displayed for situational awareness.

 

Encouraged to Fly

It is encouraged to fly in these designated areas.

 

Temporary Flight Restrictions

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are used to temporarily restrict flights in certain areas. Some TFRs have become more permanent, like those around Disneyland and Disneyworld. But most are event based, for example during sporting events. The governing airspace agency publishes TFRs as necessary, but there are also “unpublished” TFRs for sporting events that AirMap also includes. A gray circle indicates that a TFR is not active at the moment, but is scheduled to start in the next 24 hours.

 

Prohibited or Restricted Airspace

Prohibited areas protect the most sensitive areas in a country. Restricted areas are typically located around military installations or other areas where flight could be hazardous. Permission from the controlling agency and air traffic control is required to enter these areas and is often not available. For example areas in the United States such as the White House and Camp David, permission from the using agency (such as the Secret Service) is required to enter a Prohibited Area.

 

First Responder Activity

When this map layer is selected on AirMap’s apps for iOS, Android, and web, drone operators can see first responder activity from computer aided dispatch centers in more than 2,100 U.S. communities.  This activity is indicated as an orange circle in the map view on the web app, and as an advisory on the AirMap mobile apps.

 

 

National Parks

This layer depicts areas within the boundaries of units of National Park System. For example, launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft is prohibited on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within these areas. More information about the location of units of the National Park System and the National Park Service drone ban is available on the website of each park area which can be found on www.nps.gov.

 

 

Fires

This layer includes real-time wildfires sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Interior’s incident command system. The Federal Aviation Administration does not issue Temporary Flight Restrictions for the vast majority of fires in the United States, even though many are fought with firefighting aircraft. In many states, interfering with firefighting activity is considered a crime.

 

  

NOAA Marine Protection Areas

The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulations prohibit certain flights of powered aircraft (including drones) in these areas. More information available on NOAA’s website

 

 

Notification Area

Areas shaded in grey are notification zones. Flights filed in these areas will notify a local airspace stakeholder.