When flying a photo mission inside intense airspace, such as the Seattle metro area or the Boardman military airspace, we must pre-coordinate the flight with the appropriate agency. We prepare an ATC (air traffic control) flight map on an aviation map base that is emailed or faxed to the controlling agency prior to the flight – often several days ahead of time. With this map on file, we can call in the day of the flight to discuss coordination with other air traffic. Typically BPS staff will prepare this ATC flight map and handle the communication, but it is important for our customers to know about this requirement as it may affect our ability to fly the mission (they can say no....) and at the very least the timing. It is also part of our flight planning charge, even though you may have supplied fully prepared maps and data.
In the Northwest region, we have several areas that require special coordination. Civil airspace is classified by a letter code.
Class A airspace (above 18,000’ MSL) is called “positive control”, meaning we can’t fly in it unless we file an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight plan and gain permission to maneuver for the flights. Below this altitude, if weather conditions permit, we conform to VFR (Visual Flight Rules) guidelines and do not have to file a flight plan. We still may opt to supply an ATC map, especially if the area of operations is in a known busy area such as the descent corridor for a major airport.
Class B airspace (usually a 30 mile radius) surrounds high traffic airports like SeaTac and San Francisco. When working with in Class B airspace, we are required to have an ATC map on file, and permission to perform the mission.
Class C airspace (usually a 10 mile radius) exists around slightly smaller major airports like Portland and Spokane. We are not required to supply an ATC map, although we usually do for significant projects and always call ahead or fax a job listing so the controllers know where we are going to work.
Class D airspace is a five mile radius around smaller towered airports like Hillsboro or Pasco. We are required to be in radio contact with these facilities while in their airspace but do not have to supply an ATC map. If the project is significant we still may do so or call them prior to our flight.
Military airspace is also an issue, with two main categories.
Restricted Areas represent high traffic or sensitive areas such as Whidbey AFB, the Yakima firing center, or the Boardman bombing range. These areas have published boundaries and times of use, though these are subject to change without notice. With advance coordination we are able to schedule time in these areas though it is sometimes difficult to match the open time slots with acceptable weather.
MOA (Military Operations Area) airspace blocks are scattered throughout the Pacific Northwest and exist as training airspace for military aircraft. These are not technically restricted, and if we are flying VFR we can legally ignore MOA blocks. For safety reasons (military jets go very fast) we do this only when absolutely necessary, preferring to schedule the flight when the block is not in use.
Download the photo mission coordination worksheet.
