Class C airspace rules14 CFR 91.130 Operations in Class C airspace
Before entering Class C airspace you must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services and keep them while inside. The aircraft must also carry the applicable equipment in 91.215 and 91.225, and the Class D rules in 91.129 apply as well.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- Class C operations comply with this section and with 91.129, unless otherwise authorized by ATC (a).
- Arriving or flying through: establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services before entering, and maintain them while inside (c)(1).
- Departing a primary or satellite airport with an operating tower: communicate with the tower, then as instructed by ATC (c)(2)(i). Departing a satellite airport without one: contact the ATC facility as soon as practicable after departing (c)(2)(ii).
- Taking off or landing at a satellite airport: follow FAA arrival and departure traffic patterns (b).
- Equipment: the applicable equipment in 91.215 and, after January 1, 2020, 91.225, unless otherwise authorized by the ATC having jurisdiction (d).
- ATC may authorize a deviation from this section for an individual flight or on a continuing basis (e).
In plain English
Section 91.130 is the operating rule for Class C airspace. Paragraph (a) says every Class C operation must comply with this section and with 91.129, so the Class D rules carry over: for example the clearance needed at a towered airport to take off, land or operate on a runway or taxiway, and staying at or above a visual approach slope indicator glide path. The primary airport is the one the Class C area is designated for, and any other airport inside it is a satellite airport.
The communications rule matches Class D. Arriving or flying through, you establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services before entering and maintain them while inside (c)(1). Departing a towered primary or satellite airport, you talk to the tower and then follow ATC instructions; departing a satellite airport without an operating tower, you contact the ATC facility having jurisdiction as soon as practicable after departing (c)(2).
Class C adds an equipment rule. Unless the ATC facility having jurisdiction authorizes otherwise, the aircraft must have the applicable equipment specified in 91.215, the transponder and altitude reporting rule, and after January 1, 2020, in 91.225, the ADS-B Out rule (d). Takeoffs and landings at satellite airports must follow FAA arrival and departure traffic patterns (b).
Common mistakes
- Waiting for a clearance as if it were Class B. The Class C requirement is two-way radio communications established before entering (c)(1); Class B requires an ATC clearance (91.131(a)(1)).
- Forgetting that 91.129 applies in Class C too, including the radio failure procedure and the clearance needed at a towered airport (a).
- Overlooking the equipment rule. Paragraph (d) brings in the applicable requirements of 91.215 and 91.225.
The official text
14 CFR 91.130 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
(a) General. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each aircraft operation in Class C airspace must be conducted in compliance with this section and § 91.129. For the purpose of this section, the primary airport is the airport for which the Class C airspace area is designated. A satellite airport is any other airport within the Class C airspace area.
(b) Traffic patterns. No person may take off or land an aircraft at a satellite airport within a Class C airspace area except in compliance with FAA arrival and departure traffic patterns.
(c) Communications. Each person operating an aircraft in Class C airspace must meet the following two-way radio communications requirements:
(1) Arrival or through flight. Each person must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility (including foreign ATC in the case of foreign airspace designated in the United States) providing air traffic services prior to entering that airspace and thereafter maintain those communications while within that airspace.
(2) Departing flight. Each person—
(i) From the primary airport or satellite airport with an operating control tower must establish and maintain two-way radio communications with the control tower, and thereafter as instructed by ATC while operating in the Class C airspace area; or
(ii) From a satellite airport without an operating control tower, must establish and maintain two-way radio communications with the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the Class C airspace area as soon as practicable after departing.
(d) Equipment requirements. Unless otherwise authorized by the ATC having jurisdiction over the Class C airspace area, no person may operate an aircraft within a Class C airspace area designated for an airport unless that aircraft is equipped with the applicable equipment specified in § 91.215, and after January 1, 2020, § 91.225.
(e) Deviations. An operator may deviate from any provision of this section under the provisions of an ATC authorization issued by the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the airspace concerned. ATC may authorize a deviation on a continuing basis or for an individual flight, as appropriate.
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 91.130.
Recreational Pilot
What equipment is required to operate within Class C airspace?
- A. A two-way radio, an operable Mode C transponder, and ADS-B Out.
- B. A two-way radio only.
- C. An operable transponder with Mode C only.
- D. A two-way radio, transponder with Mode C, and DME.
Show answer
A. A two-way radio, an operable Mode C transponder, and ADS-B Out. Class C requires two-way radio communication established with ATC before entry, a Mode C transponder, and ADS-B Out under 91.225. Unlike Class B, no specific clearance phrase is needed: ATC using your call sign establishes communication.
More Recreational Pilot practice →Private Pilot
Before entering Class C airspace, a pilot must
- A. establish two-way radio communication with ATC.
- B. receive an explicit clearance to enter.
- C. obtain a discrete code from Flight Service.
- D. only monitor the CTAF.
Show answer
A. establish two-way radio communication with ATC. Class C requires two-way radio communication established before entry (a controller using your call sign counts). A Mode C transponder and ADS-B Out are also required. An explicit 'cleared to enter' is a Class B requirement, not Class C.
More Private Pilot practice →CFI Airplane
Class C airspace requires, before entry:
- A. two-way radio communication established with ATC, an operable Mode C transponder, and ADS-B Out.
- B. an explicit clearance to enter.
- C. a transponder only.
- D. an instrument flight plan.
Show answer
A. two-way radio communication established with ATC, an operable Mode C transponder, and ADS-B Out. Communication established, ATC using your call sign, rather than a clearance. If the controller replies "aircraft calling, stand by," communication has NOT been established and you must remain clear.
More CFI Airplane practice →Basic Ground Instructor
The minimum equipment to operate inside Class C airspace includes a two-way radio and:
- A. a transponder with altitude reporting and ADS-B Out.
- B. a transponder only; ADS-B is optional in Class C.
- C. DME and a Mode C transponder.
- D. no other equipment: a radio alone is sufficient.
Show answer
A. a transponder with altitude reporting and ADS-B Out. In and above Class C you need an operable transponder with Mode C and, since 2020, ADS-B Out under 91.225. The same equipment applies in Class B, above 10,000 feet MSL (excluding at and below 2,500 AGL), and within the 30 NM Mode C veil of Class B airports.
More Basic Ground Instructor practice →
Questions pilots ask
Do I need a clearance to enter Class C airspace?
The requirement in 91.130 is to establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic services before entering, and to maintain them while inside (91.130(c)(1)). That is different from Class B, which requires an ATC clearance (91.131(a)(1)).
What equipment do I need to fly in Class C airspace?
Unless the ATC having jurisdiction authorizes otherwise, the applicable equipment in 91.215 and, after January 1, 2020, 91.225 (91.130(d)). Two-way radio communications are also required by 91.130(c).
What do I do when departing a satellite airport inside Class C airspace?
Follow the FAA arrival and departure traffic patterns (91.130(b)). If the airport has no operating control tower, establish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility having jurisdiction as soon as practicable after departing (91.130(c)(2)(ii)).