Class B airspace

OK, it's been a few years since I've flown in or around major metropolitan areas. Last time I was in one, it was the Chicago Terminal Control Area (TCA). Recently, I've been invited to visit a friend in Minneapolis, and was planning on landing at a non-towered airport underlying the Class B airspace. Assuming VFR conditions, can I skirt UNDER the floor of the Class B airspace squawking 1200 without communicating with the ATC facility?

By my reading of the regs, I can. I have an altitude encoding altimeter and the proper class license to operate within the Class B airspace. The TPA at my destination is around 500 feel below the floor of the Class B.

airspace faa-regulations

asked Mar 30 '10 at 00:22

Jeff Dale
455●6●11●16

2 Answers:

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A "TCA", eh? I find myself calling class B that if I'm not careful. I am getting old.

Are you going to SGS? I live in the area, and am familiar with that airport. It's right up against the to-the-ground inner ring of the class B, and not far from KSTP's class D as well. So be careful of traffic and your location.

A refresher with an instructor on navigating in and around class B would be a good idea. And like most regulatory questions, many answers can be found in a current FAR/AIM.

PS Patrick, the class G ceiling is 700 agl around the inner rings. So class E would be a more useful set of limts..

answered Apr 02 '10 at 18:42

Sarah
146●3

Ah thanks for the correction Sarah, I had forgotten that detail, time to crack open the FAR/AIM for me as well!

(Apr 02 '10 at 19:25) Patrick Pohler ♦♦

thanks sarah, that is exactly the airport I had chosen. Any words of widsom regarding my approach? I had intended to call ahead (landline) and ask the FBO about approach procedures with the Class B and the Class D airspace you mentioned in such close proximity. Probably headed up there in May or so.

(Apr 04 '10 at 13:09) Jeff Dale

Wisdom, not really, Jeff. A GPS depicting airspace is great for peace-of-mind, but not essential if you have the class B chart and are careful. (Please let me know if the FBO has more tips!) Being on a bluff above the river valley, at least it is very easy to find when approaching from the east.

(Apr 05 '10 at 04:42) Sarah 1

Hi Jeff, you are correct in that you are allowed to fly under the floor of a Class B airspace. You will of course have to adhere to the VFR weather minimums in FAR Sec. 91.155 for Class G airspace(assuming less than 10,000 ft MSL) (1sm visibility and clear of clouds). As with all VFR flying you will be responsible for maintaining separation between other aircraft and terrain and follow FAR Sec. 91.119 : Minimum safe altitudes

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.*

Personally I would go through the Class B to save time and for the extra safety of the altitude. Also the feeling of accomplishment from tackling a challenging airspace after a long hiatus would feel pretty good. If you're feeling rusty with working in a Class B enviornment you can get some confidence by flying with an instructor through the nearest Class B.

Good luck with your trip!

answered Mar 30 '10 at 19:06