Regulation Text
§ 61.95 Operations in Class B airspace and at airports located within Class B airspace.
(a) A student pilot may not operate an aircraft on a solo flight in Class B airspace unless:
(1) The student pilot has received both ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on that Class B airspace area, and the flight training was received in the specific Class B airspace area for which solo flight is authorized;
(2) The logbook of that student pilot has been endorsed by the authorized instructor who gave the student pilot flight training, and the endorsement is dated within the 90-day period preceding the date of the flight in that Class B airspace area; and
(3) The logbook endorsement specifies that the student pilot has received the required ground and flight training, and has been found proficient to conduct solo flight in that specific Class B airspace area.
(b) A student pilot may not operate an aircraft on a solo flight to, from, or at an airport located within Class B airspace pursuant to § 91.131(b) of this chapter unless:
(1) The student pilot has received both ground and flight training from an instructor authorized to provide training to operate at that airport, and the flight and ground training has been received at the specific airport for which the solo flight is authorized;
(2) The logbook of that student pilot has been endorsed by an authorized instructor who gave the student pilot flight training, and the endorsement is dated within the 90-day period preceding the date of the flight at that airport; and
(3) The logbook endorsement specifies that the student pilot has received the required ground and flight training, and has been found proficient to conduct solo flight operations at that specific airport.
(c) This section does not apply to a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate or a recreational pilot certificate.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44868, July 27, 2004]
Research Notes
Research Notes
§ 61.95 imposes Class B-specific requirements on student pilots. AC 90-42F: Traffic advisory practices at airports without operating control towers — while focused on CTAF, this AC's situational awareness principles apply to student pilots operating near Class B airspace. AIM 3-2-3: Class B airspace entry requirements and ATC clearance procedures. FAA interpretation: The endorsement requirement under § 61.95 is in addition to, not a substitute for, ATC clearance to enter Class B. A student with a CFI endorsement still cannot enter Class B without explicit ATC clearance — both are required simultaneously. Common student error: Assuming they need only one or the other (endorsement vs. clearance). Both must be in place before entering Class B airspace. AIM 3-2-3 — Class B Airspace
Amendment History
AOA Notes
These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.
CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.