Class D Airspace (Australia)

Class D airspace in Australia surrounds a controlled aerodrome with an operating control tower that is not busy enough to warrant Class C, such as many regional and general-aviation aerodromes. IFR and VFR traffic are both separated from IFR traffic, but VFR traffic is not separated from other VFR traffic — pilots remain responsible for their own separation from other VFR aircraft under see-and-avoid.

To enter Class D airspace, a pilot must establish two-way radio contact with the tower before entry; unlike Class C, an explicit clearance is not required, but the controller may issue instructions the pilot must comply with once contact is established. If radio contact cannot be established, the pilot must remain clear of the airspace.

Class D airspace typically extends from the surface to around 3,000 ft AGL in a roughly cylindrical shape shown on the VTC (Visual Terminal Chart) or VNC (Visual Navigation Chart) for the area, and it is a frequently tested topic in RPL, PPL, and CPL air law exams.