14,500' MSL Nontowered airport with instrument  approach Nontowered airport with  no instrument  approach 700' AGL 700' AGL 18,000' MSL FL 600 1,200' AGL 700' AGL 1,200' AGL 1,200' AGL Class A Class B Class C Class D Class E Class G Class G Class G Class G Figure 5-2.  Dimensions of various classes of airspace. Figure 5-3.  Class G airspace. Class G Minimum Pilot Qualifications VFR Visibility Minimum VFR Minimum Distance from Clouds Student certificate 1 statute mile Clear of clouds Class E Airspace Generally, if the airspace is not Class A, B, C, or D, and  is controlled airspace, then it is Class E airspace. Class  E airspace extends upward from either the surface or a  designated altitude to the overlying or adjacent controlled  airspace.  [Figures 5-2  and  5-4]  Also in this class are federal  airways and airspace beginning at either 700 or 1,200 feet  AGL used to transition to and from the terminal or en route  environment. Unless designated at a lower altitude, Class  E airspace begins at 14,500 MSL over the United States,  including that airspace overlying the waters within 12  nautical miles (NM) of the coast of the 48 contiguous states  and Alaska, up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL, and  the airspace above FL 600. feet or less AGL, the pilot must remain clear of clouds, and  there must be one statute mile of visibility. If the operations  are conducted more than 1,200 feet AGL, but less than  10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), visibility requirements  remain at one statute mile, but cloud clearances are 1,000 feet  above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontally from any  cloud(s). A popular mnemonic tool used to remember basic  cloud clearances is “C152,” a popular fixed-wing training  aircraft. In this case, the mnemonic recalls, “Clouds 1,000,  500, and 2,000.” Controlled airspace is a generic term that covers the different  classifications of airspace and defined dimensions within  which ATC service is provided in accordance with the  airspace classification. Controlled airspace consists of: There are no specific communications requirements  associated with Class E airspace; however, some Class E  airspace locations are designed to provide approaches for  instrument approaches, and a pilot would be prudent to  ensure that appropriate communications are established when  operating near those areas. 5-3 Figure 5-4.  Class E airspace. Class E Minimum Pilot Qualifications VFR Visibility Minimum VFR Minimum Distance from Clouds Student certificate 3 statute miles 500' below, 1,000' above,  2,000' horizontal Controlled Airspace •  Class E •  Class D •  Class C •  Class B •  Class A