Class B VFR

I'm hoping to make my long VFR cross-country for my commercial license
this afternoon and evening (to get both day and night into one flight).
I'm tentatively planning to fly into CAK which is class bravo
airspace. As I was planning the flight today, I realized that I haven't
flown VFR into class B in I can't remember when. I've flow IFR almost
exclusively since getting the rating 14 years ago.

I know that clearance is required to enter class B, but IFR this was
taken care of. I assume that the approach controllers routinely issue
this clearance when your destination is field in their area, but I
wanted to be sure. My plan is to request the clearance if I have
received it prior to entering class B, but I'm wondering what the SOP is
these days for VFR into class B.


Matt

If you are on a VFR flight following, you'll be transferred just as IFR and
should be issued a clearance before entering OR you may be told not to enter
Class B airspace. If you do not use flight following, it's the same as
entering class C airspace... listen to ATIS, call up on the correct
frequency before entering and tell them what you want to do. Listen for the
clearance and your N number as positive identification. Shouldn't be a
problem.
Jim

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...

I'm hoping to make my long VFR cross-country for my commercial license
this afternoon and evening (to get both day and night into one flight).
I'm tentatively planning to fly into CAK which is class bravo
airspace. As I was planning the flight today, I realized that I haven't
flown VFR into class B in I can't remember when. I've flow IFR almost
exclusively since getting the rating 14 years ago.

I know that clearance is required to enter class B, but IFR this was
taken care of. I assume that the approach controllers routinely issue
this clearance when your destination is field in their area, but I
wanted to be sure. My plan is to request the clearance if I have
received it prior to entering class B, but I'm wondering what the SOP is
these days for VFR into class B.


Matt

Not sure I would take the chance of waiting for, or assuming a clearance
into the B. It is YOUR responsibility to get it, not theirs to give it to
you. At an appropriate distance from the Class B make the request, including
the altitude and route you intend to transit the B at.
"Jim Burns" wrote in message
...
If you are on a VFR flight following, you'll be transferred just as IFR
and
should be issued a clearance before entering OR you may be told not to
enter
Class B airspace. If you do not use flight following, it's the same as
entering class C airspace... listen to ATIS, call up on the correct
frequency before entering and tell them what you want to do. Listen for
the
clearance and your N number as positive identification. Shouldn't be a
problem.
Jim

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...

I'm hoping to make my long VFR cross-country for my commercial license
this afternoon and evening (to get both day and night into one flight).
I'm tentatively planning to fly into CAK which is class bravo
airspace. As I was planning the flight today, I realized that I haven't
flown VFR into class B in I can't remember when. I've flow IFR almost
exclusively since getting the rating 14 years ago.

I know that clearance is required to enter class B, but IFR this was
taken care of. I assume that the approach controllers routinely issue
this clearance when your destination is field in their area, but I
wanted to be sure. My plan is to request the clearance if I have
received it prior to entering class B, but I'm wondering what the SOP is
these days for VFR into class B.


Matt

Jim Burns wrote:

If you are on a VFR flight following, you'll be transferred just as IFR and
should be issued a clearance before entering OR you may be told not to enter
Class B airspace. If you do not use flight following, it's the same as
entering class C airspace... listen to ATIS, call up on the correct
frequency before entering and tell them what you want to do. Listen for the
clearance and your N number as positive identification. Shouldn't be a
problem.

Yes, I'll utilize flight following. I wasn't sure if a clearance would
be explicitly given as part of the hand-off or if the hand-off itself
was sufficient. The AIM didn't seem to me to be completely clear on
this. I suspect an explicit clearance needs to be given, but wanted to
be sure.

Matt

A simple hand off will not be sufficient. You most likely will not get the
clearance when handed off to the local approach control, remember they
control airspace well outside the Class B, but the same controller may be
working the outer ring of the Class B so don't assume just because you're
talking to the same controller that all is well and you can continue. Don't
enter the Class B without the clearance. You must receive the clearance and
as other's have said, you may wish to be proactive in obtaining the
clearance.
Jim

Don't enter the Class B without the clearance.
You must receive the clearance and
as other's have said, you may wish to be proactive

Let me amplify this a bit. Within the Bravo, cloud clearance
requirements are "clear of clouds". This requires positive control - an
IFR popping out of the clouds has no time to see a VFR who might be just
outside them.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

"Jose" wrote in message
news

Let me amplify this a bit. Within the Bravo, cloud clearance requirements
are "clear of clouds". This requires positive control - an IFR popping
out of the clouds has no time to see a VFR who might be just outside them.


True, so why doesn't Class C airspace have the same cloud clearance
requirement?

Here is what I do with a Class B airspace clearance:

I asked for it. I will not enter the airspace unless I hear, "N12345,
You are cleared into the Class Bravo" AND I then repeat "N12345 Cleared
into the Class Bravo. Thank you."

It's a couple extra words and may take an extra second, but the benefit
severely outweighs the risks.

Chris


Jim Burns wrote:
A simple hand off will not be sufficient. You most likely will not get the
clearance when handed off to the local approach control, remember they
control airspace well outside the Class B, but the same controller may be
working the outer ring of the Class B so don't assume just because you're
talking to the same controller that all is well and you can continue. Don't
enter the Class B without the clearance. You must receive the clearance and
as other's have said, you may wish to be proactive in obtaining the
clearance.
Jim

Just to cover yourself, even when getting radar service, you
should request the Class clearance and be sure you hear
"cleared to enter Class B, with an altitude assignment"
being radar vectors does not constitute a clearance.



"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...
| Jim Burns wrote:
|
| If you are on a VFR flight following, you'll be
transferred just as IFR and
| should be issued a clearance before entering OR you may
be told not to enter
| Class B airspace. If you do not use flight following,
it's the same as
| entering class C airspace... listen to ATIS, call up on
the correct
| frequency before entering and tell them what you want to
do. Listen for the
| clearance and your N number as positive identification.
Shouldn't be a
| problem.
|
| Yes, I'll utilize flight following. I wasn't sure if a
clearance would
| be explicitly given as part of the hand-off or if the
hand-off itself
| was sufficient. The AIM didn't seem to me to be
completely clear on
| this. I suspect an explicit clearance needs to be given,
but wanted to
| be sure.
|
| Matt

In article ,
Matt Whiting wrote:

I'm hoping to make my long VFR cross-country for my commercial license
this afternoon and evening (to get both day and night into one flight).
I'm tentatively planning to fly into CAK which is class bravo
airspace. As I was planning the flight today, I realized that I haven't
flown VFR into class B in I can't remember when. I've flow IFR almost
exclusively since getting the rating 14 years ago.

Is KCAK CBAS?
Better check your charts and AFD.
You may want to restate your question after looking up the appropriate
information. :-))