Which statement about Class E surface area is true?

• A. It begins at the 700 ft AGL level.
• B. It is identical to Class B.
• C. It covers only airspace above the surface in military zones.
• D. It begins at the surface around airports with instrument approach procedures.

Answer: (D)

Class E surface areas are designated to protect instrument approach procedures by providing controlled airspace that starts at the surface around airports with those approaches. Because the airspace begins at the surface, IFR procedures entering or executing approaches remain within controlled airspace from the very start, which is why this statement is true. It isn’t the same as Class B airspace, which has a different structure and entry requirements and is not simply “surface airspace around airports with IAPs.” It also doesn’t describe airspace that starts at 700 feet AGL, and it isn’t limited to military zones—Class E surface areas target civilian airports with published instrument approaches.