AIRSPACE: CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The airspace is all this space above the earth and water of a country; Due to its immensity, it represents an important part of the territory of a country. Through this, air strikes can be committed in times of conflict, invasions or information tracking.

Airspaces are understood as the entire atmosphere above sovereign lands and seas. As on land, countries exercise sovereignty over them by controlling them. Countries have established various rules through organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This body establishes safety standards depending on the characteristics of the space. For the control of airspace, it has been divided into several categories: these go from A to E, in the case of controlled airspace. Their classification is made according to the type of flights they can receive.

All uncontrolled airspace belongs to category G; Despite the fact that it is not controllable or does not have the technology to supervise it, it still has sovereignty of a country. There is no single agreed limit of airspace; however, many assume 30 thousand meters as the limit with cosmic space.

Although precious minerals are not found in airspace like on land, it offers other benefits for the country that manages it. Airspace also represents a vital element in the economy of a nation, since it is a channel through which goods are moved and is closely related to tourism.

The authorities have the obligation to safeguard this space. This responsibility is for the enjoyment of citizens and profitable international relations.

Importance

The airspace is the part of the sky located on the land or water (sea, lakes, rivers) of a country. The sovereignty of these spaces corresponds to the country to which the land belongs.

Furthermore, airspace represents an area of ​​great importance for the security of nations. It is pertinent to the authorities of each country to control and monitor these areas; no other nation has the right to break into these.

Airspace is a very sensitive area that is often not fully defined. In this case, there is no visible boundary line, unlike the land.

It is also of great importance for the security of the nation. If neglected, invasions or airstrikes could occur. When conflicts occur between States, the airspace is the first to be affected, as it is easier to attack through it.

If an intrusion should occur, you have the responsibility to render accounts to the authorities of the country attacked, because the airspace is the channel through which airplanes travel that carry people with different objectives. There must be regulation and supervision for the safety of citizens and the country in general.

characteristics

- The airspace of a nation is characterized by not having a tangible boundary line; that is, the boundaries are calculated and on the maps they are specified with imaginary lines.

- An airspace is also a channel for the flight of commercial and freight aircraft. Because of this, it constitutes a means by which the economy of a country is enriched.

- Represents a way in which a country can exercise its sovereignty and autonomy.

- All airspaces are classified according to the level of control that can be exercised over it. This is because they are usually very extensive, wide and difficult to control one hundred percent.

- They can also be dangerous in the meteorological field. Storms can put the normalcy of a country at risk.

Types

The type of airspace is defined based on the movement of aircraft. There are also other factors such as the objective of the operations to be conducted and the security required.

ICAO is an agency of the United Nations. It was created by the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Its function is to analyze the problems that international civil aviation may present. It is also in charge of promoting standards in global aeronautics.

Based on this, ICAO classified the airspace into 7 parts, from A to G. Class A represents the highest level of control; class F and G are uncontrolled space.

In class F IFR, VFR and VFRN flights are allowed. IFR flights obtain air traffic advice, and VFR and VFRN flights have flight information services if they require it.

For its part, in class G IFR and VFR flights are accepted. Each of the flights has flight information service if required.

Countries select the levels that, according to their characteristics, are consistent with their nation's airspace and their specific needs.

Instrument flight rules

The instrument flight rules are a set of rules contained in the Air Traffic Regulations. They are also known as instrument flight rules or IFR (Instrumental Flight Rules).

Its objective is to regulate the flight of aircraft that use instruments for navigation. This type of flight does not require visual contact with the ground.

In addition, they allow continuous operation of the aircraft on occasions when the pilot cannot see. In this way, collisions with objects that are on the road, such as other aircraft or mountains, are avoided. To achieve this, there are separation criteria between aircraft and the ground.

Visual flight rules

For its part, there is the navigation method governed by visual flight rules, which are regulations that pilots are governed by when flying under clear weather conditions that allow visualizing the road. It is also known as VFR for its acronym in English (Visual Flight Rules).

Under these regulations, the pilot must be able to fly being able to establish contact with the ground and avoid any potential obstacle.

For its part, the VFRN are the regulations for visually controlled flights but at night.

Controlled airspace

Controlled airspace refers to a space with specified and defined dimensions. In this there is a control service for IFR flight traffic (Instrumental Flight Rules or Instrumental Flight Rules) and for VFR flights (Visual Flight Rules or Visual Flight Rules).

In this space, all pilots must abide by certain requirements, operating rules, and aircraft requirements. In addition, all flights are subject to the air traffic control service.

Within the ICAO classification, controlled airspace comprises classes A, B, C, D and E. Flights in these classes are subject to the Air Traffic Control Service (ATC).

Classification of flights

In class A only IFR flights are allowed. There must be separation between the aircraft and fly at an altitude of more than 18,000 feet. In class B, the IFR, VFR and VFRN types can fly. Separation is provided to all aircraft.

In class C IFR, VFR and VFRN flights are allowed. Flight separation and traffic information is provided for VFR flights from other VFR flights.

Within class D airspace, a separation is established between flights in addition to information about them. This goes from the surface to 2500 feet. Finally, in class E traffic information is provided to IFR flights and VFR flights.

Colombian airspace

Colombia had not had due control of its airspace until the 1950s. In these years, under the support of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the responsibility of the United States through Panama, an international agreement entered into force. to control the space.

In 1990, Colombia informed ICAO that it had sufficient technical training in aeronautical matters.

The New Granada government declared that it had a good level of aeronautical communications, an extended VHF network, as well as enough repeaters. To this report, ICAO responded positively, so that from that moment on, Colombia takes over the flights of all the aircraft that fly over its territory.

This traffic control meant for Colombia to obtain more resources. These are obtained by assisting at least 2000 aircraft in a month, which flew over this strip.

Thanks to this measure, Colombia could exercise sovereignty in the area without intermediaries or foreign instruments, which would allow better use of space.

Rules that control Colombian airspace

Among the large number of rules that regulate the airspace of Colombia, the following stand out:

Political Constitution of Colombia

The dispositions contemplated by the Political Constitution of Colombia of 1991 regulate the Colombian airspace; this is the standard with the greatest weight. It establishes that the country's authorities must protect those who reside in Colombia; They must also safeguard their lives, property, beliefs, rights and freedoms.

In its article 217, the structure and objectives of the Colombian Military Forces are discussed. In this sense, the Colombian Air Force is one of the institutions that defends the sovereignty of the country, controlling the airspace with the Aviation.

Commercial Code

The Commercial Code in Colombia explains numerous provisions related to civil aeronautics and its activity. These include article 1778, which speaks of the power of the government to veto certain aircraft from the use of airspace. It also talks about prohibiting circulation in regions.

The transportation of certain substances and products also concerns the government. This regulates it and determines which aircraft circulate.

Mexican airspace

In the treatment of positive Mexican law, as described in article 27 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, the lands and waters located within the limits of the territory are property of the country. Likewise, the airspace over it is their property.

Airspace is where aeronautical activity takes place; For this reason, Mexico regulates this space through the Civil Aviation Law. The first article of this law establishes that airspace is considered a general way of communication and is subject to the domain of the nation.

Another of the laws that regulate this space is the Federal Law of Rights. Carriers or air operators who enjoy the airspace of Mexico are governed under this law. This applies to flights from one airport to another within the territory, outside the country or those that fly over the national territory.

Article 3 of this law focuses on regulating the actions of public servants who provide different services. It also regulates the administration of the public domain of the country, and oversees the payment and collection of the rights provided by law.

SENEAM

Every country has rules and entities that seek to regulate the activities carried out throughout its territory. SENEAM is the institution in charge of controlling the Mexican air.

Its acronym stands for Navigation Services in the Mexican Airspace. On October 13, 1978, the decentralized type body was created; it depends on the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.

The purpose of this body is to guarantee order among all those who provide navigation services. In addition, it regulates the transport of goods and people in the airspace of the United Mexican States.

It also aims to be in constant evolution, since it promotes the maintenance of the air infrastructure.

This body has the capacity to make decisions about the administrative capacity of the resources. This seeks to meet and resolve in a timely manner the needs and demands in the air traffic area quickly.

SENEAM functions

- Manage the radio-navigation aids facilities, as well as the radar system and aeronautical telecommunications networks.

- Plan, execute and control investments in infrastructure and installation of radio radar systems.

- Provide air navigation aid services. These are air traffic control, meteorology, radio-aids and aeronautical telecommunications.

Spanish airspace

This European country also uses the classification established by ICAO. The countries are divided into different aerial information regions (FIRs); these are expanded with the upper flight information regions (UIR). Spain is divided into three large FIR regions: Barcelona, ​​Madrid and the Canary Islands.

Within the FIRs, the Spanish territory is also divided into 12 terminal control areas. In turn, it is also divided into 9 control areas.

The entity in charge of supervising all air control actions is the Air Navigation Air Traffic Directorate. The management of air traffic controllers is involved in her work.

References

1. Bermúdez, W., Cabrera, P. Hernández, A. and Olivera, M. (2011). The Impact of Air Transport on the Colombian Economy and Public Policies. Fedesarrollo Notebooks. Recovered from: repository.fedesarrollo.org.co
2. Federal Aviation Administration. (2014). Aeronautical Information Manual. Official Guide to Basic Flight Information and ATC Procedures. Washington, DC: US ​​Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Recovered from faraim.org.
3. Jenks, C. (1956). International Law and Activities in Space. The International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 5 (1), 99-114. Recovered from: jstor.org.
4. Paz, L. (1975). Aviation Law Compendium. Buenos Aires. Recovered from: sidalc.net.
5. Navigation Services in the Mexican Airspace. (sf). What is SENEAM? SENEAM. Recovered from gob.mx.
6. Yébenes, J. (June 10, 2013). The airspace. Aeronautical Gazette. Recovered from gacetaeronautica.com.