Units Was: Where is balance 279

The US airspace system is compliant with ICAO's rules, AFAIK. Just because we don't take advantage of certain flexibility doesn't mean we're noncompliant.

Ah; our charts mark those as special areas within Clbutt E airspace. MOAs technically don't have different rules than normal Clbutt E, but it's wise to avoid them just as one avoids restricted or prohibited areas.

Well, a C172 in Clbutt A airspace is obviously silly in the US, but one can operate IFR in Clbutt B-E airspace as well. In fact, every C172 I've flown (several dozen) was equipped and certified for IFR use. Even as a VFR-only pilot, I find VORs and ILSes very handy -- I'm just not allowed to rely solely on them.

I've also flown a T210, which can get up into the FLs in the US (wear your oxygen mask, though). The controls are nearly identical to a C172, but I was just flying around town with a friend so we didn't even get high enough to hit the Clbutt B airspace above and surrounding our home airport -- just some D and E.

Time is more a problem than money for me, but I simply can't stand using NDBs or DMEs since my first plane had GPS. I can go anywhere I want with RNAV and maybe an ILS -- I just couldn't pbutt the test that way.

S

-- Stephen Sprunk "Those people who think they know everything CCIE #3723 are a great annoyance to those of us who do." K5SSS --Isaac Asimov