Airspaces

 

The ICAO / EASA framework provides 7 airspaces definition common throughout ICAO / EASA countries. 

You may find here a definition of all airspaces and the services provided in each on of them, but only 4 are used in Switzerland : C, D, E and G.

 

Below a picture of the airsapce definition in Switzerland. The green-stippled line is corresponding to the "Mainland/Alps" separation, which defines new rules on each side.

For example: in the mainland the C airspace starts at FL100, whereas over the Alps it starts at FL130/FL150 depending if there is military activity or not.

 

IMPORTANT TO KNOW for Switzerland

• G Airspace is a layer of 2000ft AGL
• C Airspace starts at FL100 in the mainland
• Military ON, then the C Airspace starts at FL150
• Military OFF, then  the C Airspace starts at FL130

 

 

Class	Rules	Service	Clearance	Separation	FIS	Speed Limit (1)	Radio Watch	CTR SVFR
A	IFR only	ATC	YES	ALL		NO	YES	YES
B	IFR	ATC	YES	ALL		NO	YES	YES
	VFR
C	IFR	ATC	YES	IFR - IFR		NO	YES	YES
				IFR - VFR
	VFR	ATC		VFR - IFR		YES
		FIS			VFR - VFR
D	IFR	ATC	YES	IFR - IFR		YES	YES	YES
		FIS (4)			IFR - VFR
	VFR				VFR - IFR
					VFR - VFR
E	IFR	ATC	YES	IFR - IFR		YES	YES	NO (2)
		FIS			IFR - VFR
	VFR		NO		VFR - IFR		NO
					VFR - VFR
F	IFR	ADV ATC	NO	IFR - IFR (3)	ALL	YES	YES	NO
	IFR	FIS					YES
	VFR						NO
G	IFR	FIS	NO	NONE	ALL	YES	YES	NO

 

 

(1) : General speed limit is 250kts IAS enforced below FL100 (10'000ft)

(2) : Separation as far as practical

(3) : Service to participating IFR traffic only (non participating IFR to file FP and maintain 2-way comms)

(4) : Radar information / advice may be provided to augment FIS in CAS