On Figure 20, Point 1 lies east of Norfolk International Airport (ORF), inside the outer solid magenta ring of the Norfolk Class C airspace but outside the inner ring. Does a remote pilot need ATC authorization to operate a small UA at 300 feet AGL at Point 1?
Why: The segment of Norfolk Class C containing Point 1 is charted "40" over "12" — ceiling 4,000 feet MSL, floor 1,200 feet MSL — while only the inner ring around ORF is charted "40" over "SFC." The FAA study guide describes the same structure: a surface area with a five NM radius, plus an outer circle with a ten NM radius extending from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation. 14 CFR § 107.41 requires ATC authorization only to operate *in* Class B, C, or D airspace (or inside the surface area of Class E designated for an airport), so a small UA at 300 feet AGL beneath the shelf is not in Class C and needs no authorization.
- Reads the lateral boundary and stops there: outside the inner ring the magenta line marks where Class C begins at 1,200 feet MSL, not where it reaches the surface.
- Invents a blanket part 107 exemption from Class C that does not exist — § 107.41 would apply to this same aircraft inside the inner "40/SFC" ring, where Class C does reach the surface.
UA.II.B.K2Source: 14-cfr-107.txt, § 107.41; sport_rec_private_akts.pdf, Figure 20, p. 2-19; remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf, p. 6Reviewed 2026-10-21
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