FAR 71.41 — Class B Airspace
FAR 71.41 explains how Class B airspace is designated, the Part 91 rules that apply, and the primary airport requirement. Study guide for pilot students.
In Plain English
FAR 71.41 establishes how Class B airspace is designated and what rules apply inside it. The specific Class B areas are listed in subpart B of FAA Order JO 7400.11K, which is incorporated by reference into the regulations.
Key points to remember:
- Class B airspace consists of specified airspace defined by the FAA, not arbitrary boundaries.
- All aircraft operators inside Class B are subject to the Part 91 requirements covering:
- Minimum pilot qualifications (e.g., private pilot certificate or student pilot endorsement)
- Operating rules (e.g., ATC clearance required to enter)
- Aircraft equipment requirements (e.g., two-way radio, transponder with Mode C, ADS-B Out)
- Each Class B area is built around at least one primary airport — typically a busy commercial hub like ATL, JFK, or LAX.
This matters operationally because busting Class B without a clearance, proper equipment, or required certification is a common cause of pilot deviations and certificate actions.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 71.41§ 71.41 Class B airspace.
The Class B airspace areas listed in subpart B of FAA Order JO 7400.11K (incorporated by reference, see § 71.1) consist of specified airspace within which all aircraft operators are subject to the minimum pilot qualification requirements, operating rules, and aircraft equipment requirements of part 91 of this chapter. Each Class B airspace area designated for an airport in subpart B of FAA Order JO 7400.11K (incorporated by reference, see § 71.1) contains at least one primary airport around which the airspace is designated.
Effective Date Note:
By Docket FAA-2025-1763, Amdt. 71-57, 90 FR 41890, Aug. 28, 2025, § 71.41 was amended by removing “FAA Order JO 7400.11J” wherever it appears and adding in its place “FAA Order JO 7400.11K”, effective Sept. 15, 2025, through Sept. 15, 2026.
[Docket 29334, 73 FR 54495, Sept. 22, 2008, as amended by Amdt. 71-40, 73 FR 60940, Oct. 15, 2008; Amdt. 71-41, 74 FR 46490, Sept. 10, 2009; Amdt. 71-42, 75 FR 55268, Sept. 10, 2010; Amdt. 71-43, 76 FR 53329, Aug. 26, 2011; Amdt. 71-44, 77 FR 50908, Aug. 23, 2012; Amdt. 71-45, 78 FR 52848, Aug. 27, 2013; Amdt. 71-46, 79 FR 51888, Sept. 2, 2014; Amdt. 71-47, 80 FR 51937, Aug. 27, 2015; Amdt. 71-48, 81 FR 55372, Aug. 19, 2016; Amdt. 71-49, 82 FR 40068, Aug. 24, 2017; Amdt. 71-50, 83 FR 43757, Aug. 28, 2018; Amdt. 71-51, 84 FR 45652, Aug. 30, 2019; Amdt. 71-52, 85 FR 50780, Aug. 18, 2020; Amdt. 71-53, 86 FR 46963, Aug. 23, 2021; Docket FAA-2022-1022, Amdt. 71-54, 87 FR 54878, Sept. 8, 2022; Docket FAA-2023-1785, Amdt. 71-55, 88 FR 58072, Aug. 25, 2023; Docket FAA-2024-2061, Amdt. 71-56, 89 FR 68339, Aug. 26, 2024; Docket FAA-2025-1763, Amdt. 71-57, 90 FR 41890, Aug. 28, 2025]
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You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is Class B airspace and where are the specific areas listed?
Per FAR 71.41, Class B airspace is specified airspace designated around at least one primary airport, with the individual areas listed in subpart B of FAA Order JO 7400.11K, which is incorporated by reference.
Q2What three categories of Part 91 requirements apply to operations in Class B airspace?
FAR 71.41 states that operators in Class B are subject to Part 91's minimum pilot qualification requirements, operating rules, and aircraft equipment requirements.
Q3Does every Class B area have a primary airport?
Yes. FAR 71.41 specifies that each Class B airspace area designated under subpart B of FAA Order JO 7400.11K contains at least one primary airport around which the airspace is designed.
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Related Sections in Part 71