What are the dimensions of Class C airspace?

Class C airspace is specifically designed to provide air traffic control services to aircraft operating in busy terminal areas. The typical dimensions of Class C airspace consist of a core area, which is usually a circle with a radius of 5 nautical miles surrounding the airport, and an outer shelf that extends outward to a radius of 10 nautical miles. The vertical limits typically range from the surface up to an altitude of 4,000 feet above ground level (AGL) in the inner area, and from 1,200 feet AGL up to 4,000 feet AGL in the outer area.

This structure allows for effective management of aircraft in both the proximity of the airport and at slightly higher altitudes where additional traffic may exist. Therefore, both the description of a 5 nautical mile radius from the surface to 4,000 AGL and the outer shelf from 1,200 feet to 4,000 feet AGL up to 10 nautical miles are accurate representations of Class C airspace dimensions. Thus, the correct answer captures all aspects of Class C airspace configuration.