2.2 Class B Airspace

2.2 Class B Airspace

Class B airspace surrounds the nation's busiest airports — typically airports with major airline service handling high volumes of IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) traffic. Think of airports like JFK, LAX, ORD, ATL, and DFW.

Dimensions and Shape

Class B airspace is shaped like an upside-down wedding cake:

• Surface layer: From the surface to typically 7,000–10,000 feet MSL, extending 5-10 nautical miles from the airport
• Middle layers: Progressively wider at higher altitudes
• Top layer: The widest layer, typically extending 20-30 nautical miles from the airport
• Each "shelf" of the cake has a defined floor and ceiling altitude

Identifying Class B on Sectional Charts

Class B airspace is depicted with solid blue lines on sectional charts:

• The boundaries are shown as blue concentric circles/shapes
• Altitude labels appear as fractions: top number = ceiling, bottom number = floor
  • Example: 100/30 means ceiling of 10,000 ft MSL, floor of 3,000 ft MSL
  • Altitudes are in hundreds of feet (divide label by 100 for actual altitude)
  • SFC = Surface (the floor extends to the ground)

Part 107 Operations in Class B

To fly a Part 107 drone in Class B airspace, you must:

1. Obtain prior authorization from ATC (through LAANC or manual DroneZone request)
2. Comply with all conditions of the authorization
3. Maintain communication and awareness of other air traffic
4. Follow all standard Part 107 operating rules

LAANC Note: LAANC provides near-real-time authorization at many Class B airports, but approved altitudes in Class B are often very limited (sometimes 0 feet AGL near the airport — meaning operations are not approved).

UAS Facility Maps (UASFM)

The FAA publishes UAS Facility Maps for Class B (and C, D, surface E) airports. These maps show:

• Maximum altitudes that can be automatically approved through LAANC
• Values range from 0 to 400 feet AGL depending on location relative to the airport
• Areas showing 0 feet mean LAANC cannot approve any altitude — you need a manual authorization

VFR Requirements in Class B (for Reference)

While these apply primarily to manned aircraft, understanding them helps with exam context:

Mode C Veil

The Mode C Veil (also called the Mode C Ring) extends 30 nautical miles from the primary airport within Class B airspace. All aircraft operating within this veil must have a Mode C transponder — however, this requirement does not apply to small UAS under Part 107.