Pilot Must Be Informed When Leaving Class "B" Airspace

In an informational bulletin issued Tuesday by the FAA, air traffic controllers are advised of a requirement to “vector aircraft to remain in Class B airspace after entry," and "inform the aircraft when leaving and reentering the Class B airspace if it becomes necessary to extend the flight path outside Class B airspace for spacing.”

Aircraft on an IFR Flight Plan will be informed when leaving Class B airspace and when reentering Class B airspace. An example of phraseology the crew may expect is, “aircraft ID, fly heading 120, descend and maintain 4000 feet, leaving Class B airspace” and “aircraft ID, fly heading 180, entering Class B airspace.”

IFR Pilots are reminded of the requirement in 14 CFR 91.131 Operations in Class B airspace.

• Operating rules. No person may operate an aircraft within a Class B airspace area except in compliance with §91.129 and the following rules:
• The operator must receive an ATC clearance from the ATC facility having jurisdiction for that area before operating an aircraft in that area.
• 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.

As an example, a large turbine powered aircraft landing at airports with Class B airspace, such as Cleveland, Minneapolis, or New Orleans Louis Armstrong International, should, unless directed by ATC, operate at an altitude that will allow them to remain in the protected airspace. 

Normally, the glide slope angle and altitude for a given runway provides maximum safety from other aircraft operating just outside of Class B airspace. A visual approach clearance does not relieve pilots operating large turbine engine-powered aircraft of their responsibility to remain within the Class B airspace area. 

FMI: www.faa.gov