Airspace at an airport with a part-time control tower is Class D airspace only when the associated control tower is in operation.

• A. When the control tower is in operation
• B. When weather is VFR
• C. Only during daylight
• D. Only for IFR operations

Answer: (A)

Class D airspace exists around airports that have an operating control tower, and this designation only applies during the tower’s hours of operation. When the tower is on duty, you’re in Class D and must establish two-way radio communication with the tower before entering. Once the tower closes, that airspace designation doesn’t apply anymore, and the airspace reverts to the next applicable class (often Class E or G) with no required tower communications. Weather, daylight, or IFR status don’t set the class; it’s the tower’s operating hours that do. So the statement that the airspace around a part-time tower is Class D only when the tower is operating correctly reflects how this airspace is defined and used. Always check the published tower hours to know what class applies for your flight.