ENR 1.4  ATS AIRSPACE CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION

1.   ATS Airspace Classification

Classification of ATS airspace in Budapest FIR is as follows:

1.1   Controlled airspace

Class C:

In class C airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all flights are subject to ATC service and IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and from VFR flights. VFR flights are separated from IFR flights and receive traffic information regarding other VFR flights (and traffic avoidance advice on request).

VFR flights are prohibited above FL 285 (8 700 M STD) in Budapest FIR. En-route VFR GAT flights are prohibited above FL 195 (5 950 M STD).*

Class C airspace consists of the controlled airspace below FL 660, excluding Kosice TMA2.

Class D:

In class D airspace, IFR and VFR flights are permitted, all flights are subject to ATC service and IFR flights are separated from other IFR flights and receive traffic information regarding VFR flights (and traffic avoidance advice on request). VFR flights receive traffic information regarding other VFR flights and IFR flights (and traffic avoidance advice on request).

Class D airspace consists of the controlled airspace of Kosice TMA2.

1.2   Uncontrolled airspace

Class F:

Both IFR and VFR flights are permitted. IFR flights receive air traffic advisory and FIS if requested. VFR flights receive FIS if requested.

Class F airspace consists of the uncontrolled airspace between 4 000 FT (1 200 M) AMSL and 9 500 FT (2 900 M) AMSL, furthermore aerodrome TIZs.

Class G:

VFR flights are permitted and receive FIS if requested.**

Class G airspace consists of the uncontrolled airspace below 4 000 FT (1 200 M) AMSL, furthermore stunt and glider airspaces.

Classes A, B and E airspace are not applied in the Budapest FIR.

Table 2: The requirements for flights within each class of airspace
ClassType of flightSeparation providedService providedFlight visibilityDistance from cloudSpeed limitationRadio communi-cation requi-rementSubject to an ATC clearance
CIFRIFR from IFR
IFR from VFR
Air traffic control serviceNot applicableNot applicableNot applicableContinuous two- way ****Yes
VFR*VFR from IFR(1) Air traffic control service for separation from IFR;

(2) VFR/VFR traffic information (and traffic avoidance advice on request)
8 KM at and above 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL;

5 KM below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL.
1 500 M horizontally; 1 000 FT (300 M) verticallyMax. 250 KT (460 KMH) IAS below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL Continuous two-way ****Yes
DIFRIFR from IFRAir traffic control service, traffic information about VFR flights (and traffic avoidance advice on request)Not applicableNot applicableMax. 250 KT (460 KMH) IAS below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSLContinuous two-way ****Yes
VFRNILIFR/VFR and VFR/VFR traffic information (and traffic avoidance advice on request)8 KM at and above 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL;

5 KM below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL
1 500 M horizontally; 1 000 FT (300 M) verticallyMax. 250 KT (460 KMH) IAS below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSLContinuous two-way ****Yes
FIFRIFR from IFR as far as practicalAir traffic advisory service;

flight information service if requested
Not applicableNot applicableMax. 250 KT (460 KMH) IAS below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSLContinuous two-way (only ability mandatory) ****No
VFRNILFlight information service if requested5 KM*** below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL.1 500 M horizontally;

1 000 FT (300 M) vertically above 3 000 FT (900 M) AMSL, or 1 000 FT (300 M) above terrain, whichever is the higher;

Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight at and below 3 000 FT (900 M) AMSL, or 1 000 FT (300 M) above terrain, whichever is the higher
Max. 250 KT (460 KMH) IAS below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL NO, with the exception of gliders in cloud and night VFR flights ****No
GIFR**NILNot applicableNot applicableNot applicableNot applicable Not applicableNot applicable
VFR NILFlight information service if requested.8 KM at and above 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL;

KM*** below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSL

1 500 M at speed of 140 KT IAS or less***

For helicopter (such as search and rescue, medical, fire fighting): 800 M
1 500 M horizontally, 1 000 FT (300 M) vertically above 3 000 FT (900 M) AMSL, or 1 000 FT (300 M) above the terrain, whichever is the higher;

Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight at and below 3 000 FT (900 M) AMSL, or 1 000 FT (300 M) above terrain, whichever is the higher;
Max. 250 KT (460 KMH) IAS below 10 000 FT (3 050 M) AMSLNO, with the exception of night VFR flights ****No

*Based on Joint Decree 26/2007. (III. 1.) of the Ministry of Economy and Transport, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment and Water because based on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 (SERA) SERA.5005 point (e) authorisation for VFR flights to operate above FL 285 shall not be granted where a vertical separation minimum of 300 M (1 000 ft) is applied above FL 290.

Based on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 (SERA) SERA.5005 point (d) (2) Exceptions to this requirement are the following:

  1. an airspace reservation has been established, where practical, by the Member States, in which VFR flights may be allowed; or
  2. airspace up to and including flight level 285, when VFR traffic in that airspace has been authorised by the responsible ATS unit in accordance with the authorisation procedures established by the Member States and published in the relevant aeronautical information publication.)

**Based on the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 (SERA) IFR and VFR flights are permitted in Class G airspace, but based on Decree 56/2016. (XII. 22.) of the Ministry of National Development in uncontrolled airspace the minimum flight levels for IFR flights 4000 FT (1200 M) AMSL according to the point b) of SERA.5015. Therefore in Class G of Budapest FIR IFR flights are not applicable.

***Based on the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 (SERA) at and below 900 M (3 000 FT) AMSL, or 300 M (1 000 FT) above terrain, whichever is the higher when so prescribed by the competent authority:

  1. flight visibilities reduced to not less than 1 500 M may be permitted for flights operating:
    1. at speeds of 140 KT or less to give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision; or
    2. in circumstances in which the probability of encounters with other traffic would normally be low, e.g. in areas of low volume traffic and for aerial work at low levels;
  2. Helicopters may be permitted to operate in less than 1 500 M but not less than 800 M flight visibility, if manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid collision. Flight visibilities lower than 800 M may be permitted for special cases, such as medical flights, search and rescues operations or fire-fighting.

****Usage of 8.33 KHZ channel spacing capability radio equipment is mandatory in airspaces where radio communication is required.