The Airspace tab helps you understand where you can and cannot fly. It displays airspace classifications, temporary restrictions, and a “Can I Fly Here?” assessment for any location.
What the Airspace Tab Shows
The tab renders a CesiumJS 3D globe with airspace data overlaid:
- Airspace classifications (Class A through G, restricted, prohibited, danger)
- Airport zones with details about nearby airports
- Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) with start/end times
- NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) affecting your area
- Flyability verdict for a selected location
The Airspace tab focuses on airspace zones and restrictions. It does not track live aircraft positions. Zone data comes from jurisdiction-specific providers (FAA, DGCA, CASA, ICAO) and optionally OpenAIP for real polygon boundaries.
Flyability Assessment
Click anywhere on the map to get a “Can I Fly Here?” assessment. The system evaluates:
| Check | What it evaluates |
|---|
| Airspace class | Is the location inside controlled airspace? |
| Restricted zones | Is there a prohibited, restricted, or danger area? |
| Airport proximity | How close is the nearest airport? |
| Altitude limits | What is the maximum allowed altitude? |
| Active TFRs | Are there any temporary restrictions in effect? |
| NOTAMs | Are there any relevant notices? |
| Verdict | Meaning |
|---|
| Green | No restrictions found. You can likely fly here. |
| Yellow | Caution. Restrictions may apply depending on altitude, time, or authorization. |
| Red | Restricted or prohibited. Do not fly here without explicit authorization. |
The flyability assessment is an aid, not legal advice. Always check your country’s official aviation authority (FAA, DGCA, CASA, etc.) before flying. Regulations vary by jurisdiction and change frequently.
Airspace Zones
Airspace zones are rendered as colored overlays on the globe:
| Zone Type | Color | Description |
|---|
| Class A | Red | Controlled, IFR only (typically FL180+) |
| Class B | Blue | Controlled, major airports |
| Class C | Magenta | Controlled, medium airports |
| Class D | Blue (lighter) | Controlled, smaller airports with tower |
| Class E | Dashed magenta | Controlled, various |
| Class G | Unshaded | Uncontrolled airspace |
| Restricted | Red hatched | Military or special use |
| Prohibited | Red solid | No flight under any circumstances |
| Danger | Orange | Hazardous activity area |
Layer Controls
The Layer Control Panel on the left lets you toggle which layers are visible:
- Airspace classifications (by class)
- Restricted and prohibited zones
- Airports and helipads
- TFRs (active and scheduled)
- NOTAMs
- Altitude reference (AGL or MSL)
Airport Detail
Click on an airport marker to see:
- Airport name, ICAO code, and type
- Runway information (length, heading, surface)
- Control tower frequency
- Distance from your selected location
- Airspace class around the airport
NOTAMs and TFRs
NOTAMs are official notices about temporary conditions affecting airspace. They might cover:
- Construction cranes near airports
- Military exercises
- VIP movements
- Aerial events (air shows, parachute drops)
- Temporary restricted areas
TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) are time-bound restricted zones. The Airspace tab shows:
- Active TFRs with their effective period
- Scheduled TFRs that will activate in the future
- Expired TFRs (dimmed) for awareness
Location Search
The search panel in the upper left lets you search for:
- Addresses and place names
- Airport ICAO codes (e.g., “VOBL” for Bangalore)
- Coordinates (latitude, longitude)
The map flies to the searched location and triggers a flyability assessment.
Jurisdiction Support
Airspace data quality depends on the available sources for your country:
| Region | Primary Source | Notes |
|---|
| United States | FAA UAS Data | Best coverage. LAANC zones, controlled airspace, TFRs. |
| India | DGCA / Digital Sky | Airport zones, restricted areas |
| Australia | CASA | Controlled airspace, restricted areas |
| Europe | ICAO / OpenAIP | Coverage varies by country |
| Global fallback | OpenAIP | Community-contributed airspace polygons |
Altitude Slider
An altitude slider on the side lets you filter airspace by altitude. Drag the slider to see which zones are active at different flight altitudes. This is useful for understanding vertical airspace structure:
- At 50m AGL: typically uncontrolled (Class G)
- At 120m AGL: the common drone altitude limit in many countries
- At 300m+: likely entering controlled airspace
Offline Behavior
Airspace data requires an internet connection to fetch. When offline:
- Previously cached zones remain visible
- New zones cannot be loaded
- Flyability assessments may be incomplete
- A banner indicates that data may not be current
