IFR only — no VFR operations. ATC clearance required before entry.
Equipment: IFR-equipped, Mode C transponder, ADS-B Out.
Tailored, charted shape. ATC clearance required — you must hear "cleared into the Class Bravo."
Equipment: Mode C transponder + ADS-B Out (and within the 30 NM Mode C veil).
VFR weather: 3 SM visibility, clear of clouds.
Towered airport with radar and moderate traffic. Two-way radio communication must be established before entry (hearing your call sign = established).
Equipment: Mode C transponder + ADS-B Out.
VFR weather: 3 SM, 500 below / 1,000 above / 2,000 horizontal.
Towered airport. Two-way radio communication must be established before entry.
No transponder required by the class itself (unless inside a Mode C veil or other rule applies).
VFR weather: 3 SM, 500 / 1,000 / 2,000.
Extends up to but not including 18,000 ft MSL. No clearance or radio required for VFR.
VFR weather below 10,000 MSL: 3 SM, 500 / 1,000 / 2,000.
VFR weather at or above 10,000 MSL: 5 SM, 1,000 below / 1,000 above / 1 SM horizontal.
No ATC services for VFR. Weather minimums change with altitude and day/night — see the table.
| Airspace | Visibility | Cloud Clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Class B | 3 SM | Clear of clouds |
| C / D / E below 10,000 MSL | 3 SM | 500 below, 1,000 above, 2,000 horizontal |
| E at/above 10,000 MSL | 5 SM | 1,000 below, 1,000 above, 1 SM horizontal |
| G, 1,200 AGL or less — day | 1 SM | Clear of clouds |
| G, 1,200 AGL or less — night | 3 SM | 500, 1,000, 2,000 |
| G, above 1,200 AGL & below 10,000 MSL — day | 1 SM | 500, 1,000, 2,000 |
| G, above 1,200 AGL & below 10,000 MSL — night | 3 SM | 500, 1,000, 2,000 |
| G, at/above 10,000 MSL (& >1,200 AGL) | 5 SM | 1,000, 1,000, 1 SM |
(b)(1) Day: A helicopter may operate clear of clouds in an airport traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of the runway or helipad of intended landing if flight visibility is at least 1/2 SM.
(b)(2) Night, Class G below 1,200 AGL: A helicopter may operate clear of clouds if flown at a speed that gives the pilot adequate opportunity to see and avoid traffic and obstructions.
SVFR lets you operate in a surface-area controlled airspace when below basic VFR, by clearance: remain clear of clouds, 1 SM visibility for fixed-wing.
Helicopter relief: helicopters are exempt from the 1 SM visibility minimum, and at night a helicopter is exempt from the SVFR rule requiring the aircraft to be IFR-equipped and the pilot instrument-rated.
Cloud clearance (controlled, below 10k): "152" — 1,000 above, 500 below, 2,000 across.
At/above 10,000 MSL: "5-111" — 5 SM, 1,000 above, 1,000 below, 1 SM across.
Ceilings: A=18,000 MSL · B~10,000 MSL · C=4,000 AGL · D=2,500 AGL · E floors 700/1,200 AGL.