Airspace
Airspace means the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a particular country on top of its territory and territorial waters or, more generally, any specific three-dimensional portion of the atmosphere.
Airspace is divided into two basic types:
- Controlled airspace exists where it is deemend necessary that air traffic control has some form of positive executive control over aircraft flying in that airspace.
- Uncontrolled airspace is airspace in which air traffic control does not exert any executive authority, although it may act in an advisory manner.
Airspace may be further subdivided into a variety of areas and zones, including zones where there are either restrictions on flying activities or complete prohibition of flying activities.
By international law, the notion of a country's sovereign airspace corresponds with the maritime definition of territorial waters as being 12 miles out from a nation's coastline. Airspace not within any country's territorial limit is considered international, analogous to the "high seas" in maritime law. However, a country may, by international agreement, assume responsibility for controlling parts of international airspace, such as those over the oceans. For instance, the United States provides ATC services over a large part of the Pacific Ocean, even though the airspace is international.
References
- US airspace, as described in the Aeronautical Information Manual
- UK airspace (non-authoritative source)
See also
Categories
Air traffic control