Definition
A former class of controlled airspace in the United States that consisted of the airspace at and above 14,500 feet MSL over the 48 contiguous states, the District of Columbia, and Alaska (excluding the airspace less than 1,500 feet above the surface and certain restricted areas). It was eliminated in 1993 when the FAA adopted the ICAO airspace classification system (Classes A through G).
Plain English
An old name for the high-altitude airspace that covered most of the country above 14,500 feet. It no longer exists — that airspace is now called Class A and Class E under today's lettered system.
Context Anchor
Seen in airspace classification discussions, especially when studying Class E airspace and high-altitude cross-country planning.
Derivation
Continental refers to the contiguous landmass of the United States; control area is the older FAA term for a block of airspace where air traffic control services were provided. Together it meant 'the controlled airspace covering the continent.'
Why Pilots Care
Pilots flying through this airspace on instruments must obtain a clearance and follow ATC instructions for safe separation from other traffic.
Intuition Check
Do not assume Continental Control Area means all airspace over the continent from the ground up. Here it means a specific high-altitude controlled airspace area over most of the mainland United States.
Example Sentence 1
The old textbook described the Continental Control Area as starting at 14,500 feet, but modern charts use Class A and Class E instead.
Example Sentence 2
Weather reports for the Continental Control Area helped the crew decide whether to fly above or below the cloud layer.