Just got off the phone with someone from the FAA following up on my experience with an authorized flight in Class C airspace this weekend. I must say all my contact with the FAA has been fantastic; they've not only been professional but friendly, including calling me to work with me to get me authorized for a flight 2 miles from a Class C airport rather than simply denying my request.
The fellow I spoke with told me the FAA does in fact have a grid which shows clearly which altitudes they will approve authorizations for at what distances from various class airports. Unfortunately, they are not allowed to share that grid, but it certainly does exist and it has the final say.
*BUT*
He told me that if, on the authorization requests, we simply write "up to xxxx" (let's say 250) for the requested altitude, the authorization can be granted for the maximum allowed altitude (which may be 200) at that distance. If we just request 250, the request would be denied, but "up to 250" results in a granted waiver at whatever the max altitude is.
Happy authorizing!
The fellow I spoke with told me the FAA does in fact have a grid which shows clearly which altitudes they will approve authorizations for at what distances from various class airports. Unfortunately, they are not allowed to share that grid, but it certainly does exist and it has the final say.
*BUT*
He told me that if, on the authorization requests, we simply write "up to xxxx" (let's say 250) for the requested altitude, the authorization can be granted for the maximum allowed altitude (which may be 200) at that distance. If we just request 250, the request would be denied, but "up to 250" results in a granted waiver at whatever the max altitude is.
Happy authorizing!
