Class Bravo Aispace
Class Bravo Airspace is positive controlled airspace that surrounds the United State's 'busiest' airports.
Introduction
Introduction
- Class Bravo airspace (Class B) surrounds the nation's "busiest" airports.
- Class B airspace supports Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations.
- Class Bravo Airspace surrounds airports with at least an operational Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Terminal Radar Approach Controls (TRACON).
- When you have a solid understanding of Class Bravo Airspace, compare your knowledge against the Private Pilot (Airplane) or Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Airman Certification Standards.
Class Bravo Air Traffic Services
Class Bravo Air Traffic Services
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Approach Control Service for VFR Arriving Aircraft:
- Numerous approach control facilities have established programs for arriving VFR aircraft to contact approach control for landing information.
- This information includes wind, runway, and altimeter setting at the airport of the intended landing.
- If contained in the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcast and the pilot states the appropriate ATIS code, ATC omits this information.
- The pilot's use of "have numbers" does not indicate receipt of the ATIS broadcast. In addition, the controller will provide traffic advisories on a workload-permitting basis.
- Such information will be furnished upon initial contact with the concerned approach control facility.
- ATC will request the pilot change to the tower frequency at a predetermined time or point to receive further landing information.
- Where available, this procedure will not hinder the operation of VFR flights by requiring excessive spacing between aircraft or devious routing.
- Compliance with this procedure is not mandatory, but pilot participation is encouraged.
- Approach control services for VFR aircraft are normally dependent on ATC radar. These services are not available during periods of a radar outage.
- Numerous approach control facilities have established programs for arriving VFR aircraft to contact approach control for landing information.
Class Bravo Airspace Dimensions
Class Bravo Airspace Dimensions
- Class Bravo airspace's vertical and lateral limits are individually tailored and designated for operational needs, runway alignment, adjacent regulatory airspace, or adjacent airports and contain all instrument procedures.
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Class Bravo Lateral Limits:
- The outer limits of the airspace do not exceed a 30 NM radius from the primary airport.
- This 30 NM radius is typically divided into three concentric circles: an inner 10 NM radius, a middle 20 NM radius, and an outer 30 NM radius.
- The areas between 10 to 20 NM and 20 to 30 NM may be vertically subdivided because of terrain or other regulatory airspace.
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Class Bravo Vertical Limits:
- Generally extends from surface to 10,000' MSL with some exceptions (Atlanta) around the nation's busiest airports.
- It consists of a surface area and two or more layers (some Class B airspace areas resemble upside-down wedding cakes).
- The inner 10 NM area must normally extend from the surface to the upper limits of the airspace.
- This segment may be adjusted to coincide with runway alignment, adjacent airports, other regulatory airspace, etc., to encompass all final approach fixes and minimum altitudes at the final approach fix.
- The floor between 10 and 20 NM is predicated on a 300-foot per NM gradient for 10 NM. This segment normally has a floor between 2,800 and 3,000 feet above the airport elevation.
- This floor must remain constant for that segment but may be adjusted considering the terrain and adjacent regulatory airspace.
- The floor between 20 and 30 NM must be at an altitude consistent with approach control arrival and departure procedures.
- This floor is normally between 5,000 and 6,000 feet above the airport elevation.
- In the segment between 20 and 30 NM, exclusions are permitted to accommodate adjacent regulatory airspace and/or terrain.
- Satellite Airports:
- The adverse effects on satellite airport operations and operations at the primary airport are considered when establishing the airspace floor.
- If not required, the Class B airspace excludes airspace directly over a satellite airport.
- Unique published traffic patterns and/or procedures may be required for satellite airports.
Class Bravo Airspace Depiction
Class Bravo Airspace Depiction
- The following charts depict Class Bravo airspace:
- VFR Sectionals.
- IFR En Route Low Altitude and;
- Terminal Area Charts (where appropriate).
- World Area Charts
- The FAA publishes enhanced Class B graphics, which are available for download.
Class Bravo Operating Rules & Pilot/Equipment Requirements
Class Bravo Operating Rules & Pilot/Equipment Requirements
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VFR Visibility Requirements:
- 3 SM visibility, clear of clouds.
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Entry Requirements:
- Regardless of weather conditions, an ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area.
- All aircraft will receive separation services within the airspace.
- An ATC clearance is recognized by hearing "cleared."
- YOU: "[Callsign], [Location], with [Information], request."
- ATC: "[Callsign], [Agency], cleared to [Clearance], [Restrictions]."
- Unlike Class Charlie or Delta, if you hear your callsign followed by "Standby" or any other variation that does not have the word "Cleared," then you have established two-way communication but do not have permission to enter the airspace.
- An ATC clearance is recognized by hearing "cleared."
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Equipment Requirements:
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Transponder:
- Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, an operable radar beacon transponder (within 30 NM) with automatic altitude reporting capability and operable ADS−B Out equipment.
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Communication Equipment:
- Two-way radio communications with the controlling agency (described below) are required.
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Pilot Qualifications:
- No person may take off or land a civil aircraft at an airport within a Class B airspace area or operate a civil aircraft within a Class B airspace area unless:
- The pilot in command holds at least a private pilot certificate;
- The pilot-in-command holds a recreational pilot certificate and has met the requirements of 14 CFR Section 61.101, or (c) The pilot-in-command holds a sport pilot certificate and has met the requirements of 14 CFR Section 61.325; or
- A student pilot operates the aircraft:
- Who seeks a private pilot certificate and
- Has met the requirements of 14 CFR Section 61.95.
- Who seeks a recreational pilot certificate or sport pilot and has met the requirements of 14 CFR Section 61.94.
- Note that some class B airports prohibit student pilots, shown below.
- Who seeks a private pilot certificate and
- No person may take off or land a civil aircraft at the following primary airports within Class B airspace unless the pilot-in-command holds at least a private pilot certificate:
- Andrews Air Force Base, MD.
- Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, GA.
- Boston Logan Airport, MA.
- Chicago O'Hare Int'l. Airport, IL.
- Dallas/Fort Worth Int'l. Airport, TX.
- Los Angeles Int'l. Airport, CA.
- Miami Int'l. Airport, FL.
- Newark Int'l. Airport, NJ.
- New York Kennedy Airport, NY.
- New York La Guardia Airport, NY.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, DC.
- San Francisco Int'l. Airport, CA.
- FAR 61.95 identifies a different but similar list for recreational and sport pilots.
- No person may take off or land a civil aircraft at an airport within a Class B airspace area or operate a civil aircraft within a Class B airspace area unless:
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ATC Clearances & Separation
- An ATC clearance is required to enter and operate within Class B airspace.
- ATC provides sequencing and separation for VFR pilots from other aircraft operating within Class B airspace.
- Separation and sequencing of VFR aircraft will be suspended in the event of a radar outage, as this service is dependent on radar. ATC will advise the pilot if the service is unavailable and issue wind and runway information and the time or place to contact the tower.
- ATC separates VFR aircraft from all VFR/IFR aircraft which weigh 19,000 pounds or less by a minimum of:
- Target resolution, or;
- 500' vertical separation, or;
- Visual separation.
- ATC separates VFR aircraft from all VFR/IFR aircraft which weigh more than 19,000 and turbojets by no less than:
- 1 1/2 miles lateral separation, or;
- 500' vertical separation, or;
- Visual separation.
- This program is not to be interpreted as relieving pilots of their responsibilities to:
- See and avoid other traffic operating in basic VFR weather conditions;
- Adjust their operations and flight path as necessary to preclude serious wake encounters;
- Maintain appropriate terrain and obstruction clearance or;
- Remain in weather conditions equal to or better than the minimums required by 14 CFR Section 91.155.
- When compliance with an assigned route, heading, and/or altitude is likely to compromise terrain and obstruction clearance, vortex exposure, and weather minimums, pilots must advise approach control for a revised clearance or instruction.
- ATC may assign altitudes to VFR aircraft that do not conform to 14 CFR Section 91.159.
- When altitude assignments are unnecessary for separation or when leaving Class B airspace, ATC will broadcast "resume appropriate VFR altitudes "Resume Appropriate VFR Altitudes."
- Pilots must return to an altitude that conforms to 14 CFR Section 91.159.
- Not to relieve pilots of their responsibilities to see and avoid.
- Class B airspace is the only airspace where ATC separates VFR traffic from other VFR traffic.
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Mode C Veil:
- The Mode C Veil is that airspace generally within 30 nautical miles of primary airports within Class B airspace areas, from the surface upward to 10,000' MSL.
- Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, aircraft operating within this airspace must be equipped with an operable radar beacon transponder with automatic altitude reporting capability and operable ADS-B Out equipment.
- Aircraft not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or that have not subsequently been certified with a system installed may conduct operations within a Mode C veil provided the aircraft remains outside Class A, B, or C airspace and below the altitude of the ceiling of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport or 10,000' MSL, whichever is lower.
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Flight Procedures
- Aircraft within Class B airspace are required to operate in accordance with current IFR procedures.
- A clearance for a visual approach to a primary airport is not authorization for turbine-powered airplanes to operate below the designated floors of the Class B airspace.
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VFR Flights:
- Arriving aircraft must obtain an ATC clearance before entering Class B airspace and contact ATC on the appropriate frequency in relation to geographical fixes shown on local charts.
- Although a pilot may be operating beneath the floor of the Class B airspace on initial contact, communications with ATC should be established in relation to the points indicated for spacing and sequencing purposes.
- Departing aircraft require clearance to depart Class B airspace and should advise the clearance delivery position of their intended altitude and route of flight.
- ATC will normally advise VFR aircraft when leaving the geographical limits of the Class B airspace.
- Radar service is not automatically terminated with this advisory unless specifically stated by the controller.
- Aircraft not landing or departing the primary airport may obtain an ATC clearance to transit the Class B airspace when traffic conditions permit and provided the requirements of 14 CFR Section 91.131 are met.
- Such VFR aircraft are encouraged, to the extent possible, to operate at altitudes above or below the Class B airspace or transit through established VFR corridors.
- Pilots operating in VFR corridors should use a frequency of 122.750 MHz to exchange aircraft position information.
- Arriving aircraft must obtain an ATC clearance before entering Class B airspace and contact ATC on the appropriate frequency in relation to geographical fixes shown on local charts.
- Large turbine engine-powered aircraft operations to or from a primary airport shall operate at or above the designated floors while within the limits of Class B airspace.
- A visual clearance to land is not an authorization for turbine-powered airplanes to operate below designated floors.
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Proximity Operations:
- VFR aircraft operating in proximity to Class B airspace are cautioned against operating too closely to the boundaries, especially where the floor of the Class B airspace is 3,000 feet or less above the surface or where VFR cruise altitudes are at or near the floor of higher levels.
- Observance of this precaution will reduce the potential for encountering an aircraft operating at the altitudes of Class B floors.
- Additionally, VFR aircraft are encouraged to utilize the VFR Planning Chart to plan flights near Class B airspace.
- Charted VFR Flyway Planning Charts are published on the back of the existing VFR Terminal Area Charts.
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Speed Restrictions:
- 250 knots inside of airspace.
- 200 knots under the airspace or in a corridor.
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Small Unmanned Aircraft Operations:
- No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in Class B unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
- No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base.
Conclusion
Conclusion
- Federal Aviation Regulation 91.155 governs VFR ceiling and visibility minimums.
- Aircraft not landing or departing the primary airport may obtain a clearance to transit the airspace when traffic conditions permit, provided FAR 91.131 is met.
- Encouraged to operate above or below the airspace or transit VFR corridors, making position reports on 122.750 MHz.
- Balance shortening your callsign vs. clarity when there can easily be multiple people using the same "number" or however it is abbreviated.
- Example: Southern California with all military traffic "01," "22," etc.
- Regardless of weather, pilots should not request a clearance to operate within Class B airspace unless the requirements of 14 CFR Section 91.215 and 14 CFR Section 91.131, 91.215, and 91.225 are met.
- Remember to comply with all noise abatement procedures in the Chart Supplement U.S.
- ATC may, upon notification, immediately authorize a deviation from the altitude reporting equipment requirement; however, a request for a deviation from the 4096 transponder equipment requirement must be submitted to the controlling ATC facility at least one hour before the proposed operation. A request for a deviation from the ADS-B equipage requirement must be submitted using the FAA's automated web authorization tool at least one hour but not more than 24 hours before the proposed operation.
- No person may operate an aircraft within a Class B airspace area except in compliance with FAR 91.129 and 91.131.
- The operator must receive an ATC clearance from the ATC facility with jurisdiction over that area before operating an aircraft.
- Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each person operating a large turbine engine-powered airplane to or from a primary airport within a Class B airspace area must operate at or above the designated floors of the Class B airspace area while within the lateral limits of that area.
- Any person conducting pilot training operations at an airport within a Class B airspace area must comply with any procedures established by ATC for such operations in that area.
- Departing from an airport in Class Bravo airspace can be very intimidating, especially single-piloted.
- If IFR, pilots typically fly a published Standard Instrument Departure Procedure (SID) instead of radar vectors.
- If VFR, pilots typically fly standard departure paths.
- Local pilots, FBOs, or ATCs can tell you in advance via phone.
- If departing under class Bravo, you do not need to comply with any of class Bravo restrictions, except for having an altitude encoding transponder unless exempt.
- If departing inside of class Bravo, you must follow the departure per the tower and contact class Bravo as soon as instructed for further clearance.
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References
References
- Advisory Circular (90-114) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Operations
- Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary
- Aeronautical Information Manual (3-2-3) Class B Airspace
- Aeronautical Information Manual (4-1-18) Terminal Radar Services for VFR Aircraft
- Aeronautical Information Manual (4-1-20) Transponder and ADS-B Out Operation
- AeroNav Products - Aeronautical Chart User's Guide
- AOPA - Know Before You Go: Navigating Today's Airspace
- BoldMethod - The VFR Pilot's Guide For Landing At Busy Airports
- Federal Aviation Administration Order (7400.2-Chapter 15) Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters
- Federal Aviation Administration Order (7400.9) Airspace Designations and Reporting Points
- Federal Aviation Regulations (61.101(d)) Recreational pilot privileges and limitations
- Federal Aviation Regulations (61.94) Student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate or a recreational pilot certificate: Operations at airports within, and in airspace located within, Class B, C, and D airspace, or at airports with an operational control tower in other airspace
- Federal Aviation Regulations (61.95) Operations in Class B airspace and at airports located within Class B airspace
- Federal Aviation Regulations (61.325) How do I obtain privileges to operate a light-sport aircraft at an airport within, or in airspace within, Class B, C, and D airspace, or in other airspace with an airport having an operational control tower
- Federal Aviation Regulations (Part 71 subpart B) Class B Airspace
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.129)
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.215) ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment and use
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.225) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment and use
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.131) Operating in Class B airspace
- Instrument Flying Handbook (1-2) Airspace Classification