Airspace class C
General
In Germany, airspace above FL100 upwards (or FL130 upwards Alpine regions) generally is Class C airspace. This is not always labelled on the charts. Otherwise, Charlie is usually found in the local traffic control area of commercial airports above the control zone to separate VFR traffic from the generally fast, heavy, commercial IFR traffic when the traffic load in the airspace increases. Airspace C is controlled airspace.
Rules
In contrast to airspaces A and B, VFR flights have to independently separate from each other for the first time. We also have a speed limit for VFR traffic below FL100.
The EU stipulates that airspace class C must apply throughout Europe above FL195. However, as mentioned above, Germany is implementing this as low as FL100.
VMC Minima
As in all other airspaces, the following minima apply:
- Flight visibility above FL100: 8 km
- Visibility below FL100: 5 km
- Horizontal distance from clouds: 1500 m
- Distance from clouds vertically: 1000 ft