Class B Airspace—A Pilot’s Guide
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It looks big! It looks scary! While Class B airspace may look like both of these things, it can actually be an exciting place to fly. You just need to understand and follow the rules for this airspace.
What’s in this article?
- Class B Basics
- Class B Airspace Dimensions
- Minimum Pilot Certification for Class B Airspace
- Minimum Equipment for Class B Airspace
- Class B Speed Limitations
- Getting Around and Through Class B Airspace
Class B Basics
Yes, it is true that Class B airspace surrounds some of the busiest airports. While there are often variations that are specific to the location, there are also commonalities found between the various Class B airspace areas.
Like other types of airspace, Class B is considered regulatory in nature. It is defined within the regulations and there are requirements within the regulations that must be met.
Class B can also be defined as controlled airspace. An ATC clearance is required for operations within Class B airspace. Unless superseded by §91.131, the Class D airspace rules found in §91.129 must also be followed.
Large turbine engine powered airplanes are not permitted to operate below the Class B airspace when en route to or from the primary airport within the airspace. This keeps them within or above the airspace during their arrival and departure.
Class B Airspace Dimensions
Class B airspace begins at the surface in the area surrounding the primary airport. As you move further from the primary airport, layers or shelves that start above the surface will be found. The shape of the surface area and layers are tailored to the individual airport and the instrument approach corridors to its runways. The top of the Class B will generally be the same height for the entire area. 10,000 feet MSL is a common height for Class B airspace.
There is also an area surrounding the Class B airspace where certain equipment is required even if not flying into the Class B airspace. The equipment will be discussed below. The equipment requirement generally goes out to a 30 nautical mile radius around the primary airport.
Minimum Pilot Certification for Class B Airspace
Due to the complexity of the airspace, the FAA requires you to have a minimum level of certification or a minimum amount of training and an endorsement in order to fly within Class B airspace.
At least one of the following minimum pilot requirements must be true to act as pilot in command within Class B airspace, or takeoff or land at an airport within Class B airspace:
- Hold a private pilot certificate.
- Hold a recreational pilot certificate and have met the training and endorsement requirements in 61.101(d).
- Hold a sport pilot certificate and have met the training and endorsement requirements in 61.325.
- Hold a student pilot certificate and have met the training and endorsement requirements in 61.94 or §61.95.
Beyond those requirements, taking off or landing at an airport listed in 14 CFR Part 91 Appendix D requires the pilot in command to hold at least a private pilot certificate. The listed airports are the primary airports within Class B airspace areas.
Minimum Equipment for Class B Airspace
All operations within Class B airspace require an operable two-way radio capable of communicating with ATC on the airspace’s frequencies. A transponder with altitude reporting and an approved ADS-B out transmitter are also required for all operations.
With few exceptions, the transponder and ADS-B units must also be operable within 30 nautical miles of the primary airport within the Class B airspace, even when not entering the Class B airspace.
IFR operations require an operable VOR or TACAN receiver or a suitable RNAV system.
Class B Speed Limitations
Aircraft flying within the Class B airspace may fly at an indicated airspeed of up to 250 knots. If flying below a Class B layer or within a VFR corridor through the Class B, the aircraft is limited to an indicated airspeed of 200 knots.
Getting Around and Through Class B Airspace
Charted VFR Flyways were created so that pilots could travel safely in areas heavily traversed by large turbine-powered aircraft. These flyways help the pilot plan flights into, out of, through, and near complex terminal airspace, avoiding altogether flying into Class B airspace. VFR Flyway Planning Charts are printed on the reverse sides of most paper Terminal Area Charts (TACs) and may be found in many popular EFB apps.
Pilot compliance with recommended flyways and associated altitudes is strictly voluntary.
VFR Corridors are like a tunnel through the Class B. An aircraft can operate in these corridors without a clearance from or communication with ATC. However, pilots need to ensure that they are where they should be and haven’t mistakenly flown out of the corridor and into controlled airspace. An example of a VFR Corridor can be found in the Los Angeles SFRA. The corridor allows piston airplanes flying VFR to fly directly over the Los Angeles Int’l Airport (LAX) and through the Class B tunnel without talking to ATC or receiving a clearance.
VFR Corridors are similar to VFR flyways except that they have specific vertical and lateral boundaries which must be followed by all participating aircraft. Because of the high volume of traffic in Class B, it is necessary to fly these corridors with extreme caution. An example of this can be found in the San Diego Class B airspace, where there is a gap in the depicted Class B altitudes between 3,300’ MSL and 4,700’ MSL over the San Diego Int’l Airport (SAN). VFR Corridors, when available, will be specified on the appropriate TAC.
Class B airspace Transition Routes are similar, except that an ATC clearance is required. They are specific flight courses depicted on some TACs for transiting the Class B airspace. Unlike the former published VFR routes, transition routes include specific ATC assigned altitudes. Here are a few examples published on the Seattle Class B TAC.
On initial contact with ATC, pilots should give them their position, altitude, route name desired, and direction of flight.
Conclusion
While Class B airspace can be big and it can be scary, proper preflight preparation and an understanding of the rules, can shrink it down and make it a little less frightening in the mind of the prepared pilot.
Fly and stay safe!
In his role as VP of Safety, Security, and Compliance for Sporty's Academy, Chief Jurgens develops and maintains the necessary systems to fulfill that role. He also develops material which eventually becomes a part of the courseware used at Sporty's Academy and sold through Sporty's Pilot Shop.
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