The FAA Class D airspace and the Ecuadorian (ICAO) ATZ

The control tower is in charge of the active runways and the airport’s surroundings inside the FAA Class D airspaces and the Ecuadorian (ICAO) Air Traffic Zones (ATZ). Both are controlled airspace, and two-way radio communication is required. Aircraft on the traffic pattern will be inside the Class D airspace and the ATZ. Therefore, pilots must be in contact with the tower control at all times.

The control tower of the Class D airspace is in complete charge of the traffic around the airport. That includes takeoffs and landings. Inside an ATZ in Ecuador, the control tower must have continued communication with approach control. That means the tower must ask the approach controller before giving a takeoff clearance. Additionally, Class D airspaces are designated for non-busy airports while the ATZs in Ecuador are around busy airports such as Quito and Guayaquil. Also, the VFR weather minimums between a Class D and an ATZ are different too. The weather minimums on the ATZ will vary on the airspace it is inside. 

The dimension of these airspaces is different. For instance, the FAA “Class D airspace extends upward from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL)” (FAA, 2020). It is essential to know that the ceiling and the dimension of this airspace (usually four nautical miles around the airport) could vary. For that reason, the pilots must refer to supplemental charts to verify the information. On the other hand, the ATZ in Ecuador differs as well. For example, Quito located at 7900ft; the ATZ extends from the surface up to 10500ft. The radius is 15 nautical miles from the center of the airport.

Sources:

Aeronautical Information Manual - AIM - Controlled Airspace. (2020, January 30). Retrieved        from             https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap3_section_2.htmlDi rection 

General de Aviation Civil - Ecuador. (n.d.). SEQM AD 2.1 INDICADOR LOCALIZACIÓN Y NOMBRE DEL AERÓDROMO. Retrieved from http://www.ais.aviacioncivil.gob.ec/ifis3/aip/AD 2   SEQM

HavKar. (n.d.). Icao airspace classification. Retrieved from   http://www.havkar.com/en/blog/view/airspace-classifications-and-the-air-traffic-            control-services/124