Why do airports change to class G?

[Beetle007]

Does anyone know why some airports are class E during normal hours then change to class G during other hours (e.g., at night). Why not just keep it class E?

 

[DrewBlows]

Does anyone know why some airports are class E during normal hours then change to class G during other hours (e.g., at night). Why not just keep it class E?

They cannot be controlled. There is no one to control the airspace in the local tower. Class E airports have some controlling agency, usually a nearby airport's tower. If an airport goes to class G at night, there is no one to control the airspace. If it can't be controlled it must be uncontrolled.

Clear as mud, right?

 

[LarryinTN]

They cannot be controlled. There is no one to control the airspace in the local tower.

Huh?

When there is an operating control tower the surrounding airspace is Class D (or better), not Class E.

The airport's Class E surface area goes away when the weather observer goes home.

Controlled airspace only means that an IFR clearance is required to operate IFR, it doesn't mean that it's controlled by a Tower. The applicable Center is the controlling agency with, or without, a tower. The center may, or may not, delegate some of the control authority to any operating TRACONs and control towers in their airspace.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

No weather observer.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Also, one need not be on an instrument plan while IMC in Class G - but you must be rated and equiped.

 

[Big Slick]

Why do airports change to class G?
Why does the prop spin around?
Why does the wing produce lift?

Why is this on the Majors Forum?



Total Time: 1
LOL

 

[bearcat]

Also, one need not be on an instrument plan while IMC in Class G - but you must be rated and equiped.

that is interesting. You could be IMC and not an an IFR fight plan? Hmm..I guess all of the times I have been scud running and gone IMC I was legal after all. Providing I was in Class G...

 

[StaySeated]

The decision is based upon the number of IFR operations at the airport. For example, podunk airport is class E during the day and has a few ifr operations and a few 121 scheduled flights. Then at night no one flies into the airport and no airline has scheduled ops. Why burden a nearby center with ifr clearances? On the other hand if the airport has a bunch of ifr ops they may make the airport Class E down the surface 24/7 to minimize the number of scud running vfr flights. It is just a cheap way to maintain IFR seperation when the airport doesn't rate a tower.

 

[Whataburger]

Why do airports change to class G?
Why does the prop spin around?
Why does the wing produce lift?

Why is this on the Majors Forum?



Total Time: 1
LOL

The Wx dude.
It's connected to the crankshaft.
Some Mexican named Bernoullie said so.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

wooops.

I meant need a clearance.

Also, one need not be on an instrument plan while IMC in Class G - but you must be rated and equiped.

that is interesting. You could be IMC and not an an IFR fight plan? Hmm..I guess all of the times I have been scud running and gone IMC I was legal after all. Providing I was in Class G...

 

[AC560]

wooops.

I meant need a clearance.

You don't need a plan either. Just need to be rated and the aircraft equipped for IFR. Though the FAA has given out several 91.13 violations for doing thus (while at the same time supporting the right to do it).

 

[Beetle007]

You don't need a plan either. Just need to be rated and the aircraft equipped for IFR. Though the FAA has given out several 91.13 violations for doing thus (while at the same time supporting the right to do it).

Yeah, I also never thought it would be a good idea to fly around the traffic pattern in 1 mile vis and clear of clouds.

 

[zasca]

at night!

 

[Singlecoil]

wooops.

I meant need a clearance.

No one will give you a clearance to fly IFR in Class G airspace, but you can do it. A little gray?

 

[Singlecoil]

It has been said earlier, but the airspace reverts to Class G when the weather observer goes home.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

You don't need a plan either. Just need to be rated and the aircraft equipped for IFR. Though the FAA has given out several 91.13 violations for doing thus (while at the same time supporting the right to do it).

Hmmm....

I thought I was initially correct about not needing an IFR plan in G as long as you're current, rated and equiped, but it's been a while. After bearcat made a remark, I thought I may have recalled it incorrectly.