Sectional chart reference
Class E to the surface
Magenta dashed lines.
What you are looking at
A DASHED MAGENTA line = Class E to the surface, controlled airspace pulled all the way down to the ground at a NON-towered airport with instrument approaches.
'Color follows the tower': dashed magenta = the non-towered field where controlled E reaches the surface. A crisp line reaching the ground = authorization.
The rule itself
No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Quoted in full from 14 CFR § 107.41. Authorization normally comes through LAANC.
Reading the numbers
No shelf fraction: the floor IS the surface and the ceiling is the overlying airspace. The dashed magenta line itself is the answer: controlled to the ground.
Where people get this wrong
THE CRUX: dashed magenta ring (E-to-surface → authorization) vs faded magenta band (E-700 → free at 400 ft). SAME COLOR, OPPOSITE RULE, decided by line-vs-fuzz. This is exactly why you read texture first. (A dashed magenta LOBE cut off that ring is an extension, so no authorization.)
How it is tested
You see a dashed magenta ring. At 350 ft AGL inside it, do you need authorization?
- Yes: Class E to the surface is controlled to the ground
- No: the floor is up at 700 ft
- Only above 400 ft
Show the answer
Yes: Class E to the surface is controlled to the ground
A DASHED (crisp) magenta line reaches the surface. Contrast the FUZZY magenta band, whose floor is up at 700 ft.
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