Regulation Text
(a) Operating rules. No person may operate an aircraft within a Class B airspace area except in compliance with § 91.129 and the following rules:
(1) The operator must receive an ATC clearance from the ATC facility having jurisdiction for that area before operating an aircraft in that area.
(2) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each person operating a large turbine engine-powered airplane to or from a primary airport for which a Class B airspace area is designated must operate at or above the designated floors of the Class B airspace area while within the lateral limits of that area.
(3) 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.
(b) Pilot requirements. (1) 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—
(i) The pilot in command holds at least a private pilot certificate;
(ii) The pilot in command holds a recreational pilot certificate and has met—
(A) The requirements of § 61.101(d) of this chapter; or
(B) The requirements for a student pilot seeking a recreational pilot certificate in § 61.94 of this chapter;
(iii) The pilot in command holds a sport pilot certificate and has met—
(A) The requirements of § 61.325 of this chapter; or
(B) The requirements for a student pilot seeking a recreational pilot certificate in § 61.94 of this chapter; or
(iv) The aircraft is operated by a student pilot who has met the requirements of § 61.94 or § 61.95 of this chapter, as applicable.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (b)(1)(ii), (b)(1)(iii) and (b)(1)(iv) of this section, no person may take off or land a civil aircraft at those airports listed in section 4 of appendix D to this part unless the pilot in command holds at least a private pilot certificate.
(c) Communications and navigation equipment requirements. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft within a Class B airspace area unless that aircraft is equipped with—
(1) For IFR operation. An operable VOR or TACAN receiver or an operable and suitable RNAV system; and
(2) For all operations. An operable two-way radio capable of communications with ATC on appropriate frequencies for that Class B airspace area.
(d) Other equipment requirements. No person may operate an aircraft in a Class B airspace area unless the aircraft is equipped with—
(1) The applicable operating transponder and automatic altitude reporting equipment specified in § 91.215 (a), except as provided in § 91.215 (e), and
(2) After January 1, 2020, the applicable Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out equipment specified in § 91.225.
[Docket 24458, 56 FR 65658, Dec. 17, 1991, as amended by Amdt. 91-282, 69 FR 44880, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 91-296, 72 FR 31678, June 7, 2007; Amdt. 91-314, 75 FR 30193, May 28, 2010]
Research Notes
Section 91.131 governs operations in Class B airspace — the busiest, most-protected airspace in the system. Class B surrounds the busiest airports (Atlanta, JFK, LAX, ORD, etc.) and requires an ATC clearance before entry.
Paragraph (a) — Specific authorization required: No person may operate an aircraft within a Class B area unless the operation is conducted in accordance with the rules of this section. The pilot must have received specific ATC AUTHORIZATION before entering Class B — not just radio comms, an explicit clearance phrased as 'cleared into the Class Bravo airspace' (or 'cleared to enter,' depending on local phraseology).
Paragraph (b) — Two-way radio plus Mode C transponder: Aircraft must have an operating Mode C transponder per § 91.215. Communication with the ATC facility providing service is required.
Paragraph (b) — VFR operations require: (1) The pilot must hold at least a private pilot certificate; OR (2) be operating under student pilot certification provisions of § 61.95 (which require additional endorsements and may exclude operations at the most-restricted Class B airports listed in Appendix D); OR (3) be a sport pilot with the appropriate endorsement (since 2018). Recreational pilots are excluded from VFR operations in Class B unless specifically endorsed and trained per § 61.101.
Paragraph (c) — Restricted Class B airports (Appendix D): Some Class B airports prohibit student pilot operations and certain other reduced-privilege ops. Appendix D to Part 91 lists these airports — they're typically the busiest (JFK, LGA, BOS, ATL, etc.).
Paragraph (d) — Equipment requirements: Two-way radio, Mode C transponder, and (for IFR operations) appropriate IFR equipment. ADS-B Out is required per § 91.225 in Class B and the Mode C veil.
The 'cleared into the Bravo' confirmation: ATC must use the specific phrase 'cleared into [Class B area]' before the pilot may enter Class B. Without that specific authorization, the pilot must remain clear regardless of how friendly the conversation has been.
Mode C veil: Around every Class B airport, a Mode C transponder is required for any flight within 30 NM from the primary airport from surface to 10,000 MSL. ADS-B Out is also required in this veil per § 91.225.
Reference: AIM 3-2-3 on Class B airspace; FAA-H-8083-25 (PHAK) Chapter 15.
Amendment History
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