AIM 

4/20/23 

i. Parachute Jumps. 

No person may make a parachute jump, and no pilot

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command may allow a 

parachute jump to be made from that aircraft, in or into Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace without, 

or in violation of, the terms of an ATC authorization issued by the ATC facility having jurisdiction over the 

airspace. (See 14 CFR Part 105.) 

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2.  Class A Airspace 

a.  Definition. 

Generally, that airspace from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600, including the 

airspace overlying the waters within 12 nautical miles off the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska; and 

designated international airspace beyond 12 nautical miles off the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska 

within areas of domestic radio navigational signal or ATC radar coverage, and within which domestic procedures 

are applied. 

b.  Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements. 

Unless otherwise authorized, all persons must 

operate their aircraft under IFR. (See 14 CFR Section 71.33, Sections 91.167 through 91.193, Sections 91.215 

through 91.217, and Sections 91.225 through 91.227.) 

c.  Charts. 

Class A airspace is not specifically charted. 

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3.  Class B Airspace 

a.  Definition. 

Generally, that airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet MSL surrounding the nation’s busiest 

airports in terms of IFR operations or passenger enplanements. The configuration of each Class B airspace area 

is individually tailored and consists of a surface area and two or more layers (some Class B airspace areas 

resemble upside-down wedding cakes), and is designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an 

aircraft enters the airspace. An ATC clearance is required for all aircraft to operate in the area, and all aircraft 

that are so cleared receive separation services within the airspace. The cloud clearance requirement for VFR 

operations is “clear of clouds.” 

b. Operating Rules and Pilot/Equipment Requirements. 

Regardless of weather conditions, an ATC 

clearance is required prior to operating within Class B airspace. Pilots should not request a clearance to operate 

within Class B airspace unless the requirements of 14 CFR Sections 91.131, 91.215, and 91.225 are met. 

Included among these requirements are: 

1. 

Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, aircraft must be equipped with an operable two-way radio capable 

of communicating with ATC on appropriate frequencies for that Class B airspace. 

2. 

No person may take off or land a civil aircraft at the following primary airports within Class B airspace 

unless the pilot

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in

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command holds at least a private pilot certificate: 

(a) 

Andrews Air Force Base, MD 

(b) 

Atlanta Hartsfield Airport, GA 

(c) 

Boston Logan Airport, MA 

(d) 

Chicago O’Hare Intl. Airport, IL 

(e) 

Dallas/Fort Worth Intl. Airport, TX 

(f) 

Los Angeles Intl. Airport, CA 

(g) 

Miami Intl. Airport, FL 

(h) 

Newark Intl. Airport, NJ 

(i) 

New York Kennedy Airport, NY 

(j) 

New York La Guardia Airport, NY 

(k) 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, DC 

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Controlled Airspace