How is Class E airspace generally characterized?

Class E airspace is characterized as the type of controlled airspace that encompasses a wide variety of areas and purposes, and it indeed accounts for the majority of controlled airspace in the United States. This classification serves to allow for the transition between different classes of airspace, accommodating different types of flights under both IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) and VFR (Visual Flight Rules).

Class E airspace can exist at various altitudes, typically starting at a base of either 1,200 feet AGL or 700 feet AGL and extending up to 18,000 feet MSL, depending on the specific designation of that airspace. However, it does not necessarily impose specific altitude requirements like other classes of airspace (such as A, B, or C).

Understanding Class E airspace is essential for pilots as it influences flight operations, communications, and navigation, allowing for controlled access to airspace that is not as densely regulated as some other classes.