Class B airspace

E49550

Class B airspace is a highly controlled airspace surrounding the nation’s busiest airports, designed to manage dense traffic with strict entry and communication requirements for pilots.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States airspace class
controlled airspace classification
allows IFR operations
VFR operations with ATC clearance
associatedWith Class B primary airport control tower
radar approach control facility
centeredOn primary Class B airport
chartedOn VFR terminal area charts
sectional aeronautical charts
composedOf multiple concentric shelves
definedBy Federal Aviation Administration
designedFor high‑performance aircraft
large air carrier operations
existsIn National Airspace System of the United States
governedBy Title 14 CFR Part 71
Title 14 CFR Part 91
hasAbbreviation Class B
hasCeiling varies by airport
hasEntryRequirement aircraft must be equipped for IFR or VFR with required radios and transponder
hasLowerFloor varies by sector
hasMinimumWeatherRequirements 3 statute miles visibility
clear of clouds
hasNoiseConsiderations often subject to noise abatement procedures
hasPrimaryPurpose management of high‑density air traffic
hasShape upside‑down wedding cake
hasSpecialVFRRules Special VFR operations require at least instrument rating for pilots at some Class B airports
hasSpeedLimit 200 knots indicated airspeed in underlying VFR corridors or within 4 NM of primary airport at or below 2,500 feet AGL
250 knots indicated airspeed below 10,000 feet MSL
hasTypicalLowerLimit surface at primary airport
hasTypicalUpperLimit 10,000 feet MSL
hasVerticalLimit surface to typically 10,000 feet MSL
isLessRestrictiveThan Class A airspace
isMoreRestrictiveThan Class C airspace
Class D airspace
protects arrival and departure corridors
provides sequencing for all aircraft to primary airport
traffic separation between IFR and VFR aircraft
relatedTo ICAO Class C and D concepts but defined differently in the U.S. system
requires ATC clearance prior to entry
Mode C transponder
operable altitude‑encoding equipment
pilot to receive explicit ATC authorization
student pilot endorsement for solo operations
two‑way radio communication with ATC
requiresForEntry pilot to establish two‑way communication using correct facility call sign
requiresForVFR ATC separation services from other aircraft
subjectTo local letters of agreement and facility directives
surrounds nation’s busiest airports
uses solid blue lines on charts

Referenced by (3)

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