Class B Airspace

Class B surrounds the busiest airports. The sectional draws it with solid blue lines. San Francisco International sits at the center of this one. The figures work like Class C: ceiling over floor, in hundreds of feet MSL. At the airport, 100 over SFC means the surface to 10,000 feet.

Fly north from Salinas and the floor steps down as you get closer: 8,000, then 6,000, 4,000 and 3,000 feet. Below a floor, you are outside Class B. The top is 10,000 feet MSL in every part. To enter Class B, you need a clearance from ATC. Unlike Class C, radio contact alone is not enough.

You need at least a private pilot certificate, unless you are a student, sport or recreational pilot with specific training and an endorsement. None of them may take off or land at San Francisco International as pilot in command. Your aircraft needs a two-way radio, a transponder with altitude reporting, and ADS-B Out. This magenta ring marks 30 nautical miles from the airport. Inside it, from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL, you need the transponder and ADS-B Out, even outside Class B.

Below a shelf, keep your speed at or below 200 knots. In Class B, VFR flight needs 3 miles visibility and clear of clouds. In the surface area, VFR needs a ceiling of at least 1,000 feet. To take off, land or enter the pattern, ground visibility must be at least 3 miles. For flights here at and below 10,000 feet, the chart points you to the San Francisco Terminal Area Chart. It shows the Class B in more detail.