Final answer:
Class C airspace is controlled airspace where IFR flights are permitted and VFR flights must get ATC clearance to enter. This regulation ensures safe separation between aircraft, similar to FAA rules for commercial airliners maintaining safe distances both horizontally and vertically.
Step-by-step explanation:
Class C airspace is a controlled airspace. Under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights are permitted within Class C airspace, and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flights may also operate in this airspace but they require a specific clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to enter. This helps to manage traffic and ensure safety by establishing a regulated environment in which all aircraft can be appropriately spaced apart both horizontally and vertically. For example, commercial airliners must usually maintain a minimum distance of five miles from another plane at the same altitude and a vertical separation of 2,000 feet above and below another aircraft, which is reduced to 1,000 feet if flying at altitudes below 29,000 feet. The goal is to manage the flight paths of aircraft to prevent collisions and allow for a smooth flow of air traffic.