speed in class B

[AWACoff]

Just so everybody is on the same page...Class B and speed restriction do not belong on the same page. There never has been a speed restriction for Class B airspace. The 2003 edition of the FAR/AIM spells it out in plain language in the "changes" section.

 

[JRSLim]

I love this site....

Thanks ACoff

I reread the airspace info and thats absolutley right. No wonder it was so hard to find!
I do also see now, where AIM 4-4-11 j. does say that ATC can approve speed greater than the Maximum prescribed for C and D airspace and the note about BELOW class B but nothing about B itself. Makes sense now - neet how that reading thing works out.

Also let me ask...
I can't find the changes section in my Jepp 2003 FAR/AIM -- can ya help me out?

Thanks
Shaun

 

[JRSLim]

Oops --not so fast..

I just came across this in my travels:

FAR 91.117
a. specifies no person shall operate an aircraft below 10,000MSL at more than 250Kts indicated.

b. indicates the 200Kt limit for C and D then specifies an exception for B airspace to comply with paragraph a. which imposes the 250Kt limit below 10,000.

And of course, there is the caveat for minimum safe airspeed, and what itr says in the AIM about ATC authority-- and that only speaks of C and D airspace (surface areas). So it appears the Class B limit is 250Kts unless required for safety of flight-- confirming 501261's statement

Shaun, beating the dead horse

 

[501261]

Re: Oops --not so fast..

So it appears the Class B limit is 250Kts unless required for safety of flight-- confirming 501261's statement

No, not at all! We're talking 2 different things here.

There is a 250knot speed limit below 10,000MSL that only the Administrator can waive that (unless safety of flight). Whether or not you're in Class B is irrelevant.

Awacoff is absolutely correct there is NO speed limit within Class B airspace, it just so happens that most Class B airspace is below 10,000 thereby restricting speed under 91.117a to 250.

A classic example of this is the Denver Class B airspace. The Denver Class B goes up to 12,000MSL, and you can go up to Vmo/Mmo inside the Class B that is above 10,000!

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

I agree with others that say no speed limit below 10,000 feet in Houston. I've flown out of IAH to DFW and the departure controller will say "no speed limit". That means he wants us to go faster than 250 kts in the climb. That means in the RJ you can climb at the 335 KIAS Vmo (oops, did I say that, I meant 290 KIAS which is SOP). I was with one captain who responded to the departure controller with just a "Roger" and he only wanted to climb at 250 Kts. A couple minutes later the controller came back on and said, "SkyWest, say airspeed?" When he found out we were still at 250 kts he was mad and said if we still wanted to go 250 kts below 10,000 feet then we had to tell him, otherwise as soon as he authorized it then it was expected. They use the higher speed for getting departures out quicker and they plan spacing accordingly. I also agree about the class B speed limit. There is no speed limit in class B, just under 10,000 feet. Also 200 kts below Class B as well as within 4 nm and below 2500 feet of the surface of a Class C or D airport.

 

[The FNG]

Actually, CRJ200 Vmo is 330 to 8k...

Also, lest we confuse speed limit waivers, ATC CAN authorize speed greater than 200 but not to exceed 250 in C & D.

 

[ex208driver]

The speed restriction is for below 10,000' inside class b. I know Dallas class b goes 11,000'but at 10,000 you can go fast and begin accelerating above 250. In Houston they can waive this on the way out , they have the procedures and I am sure they will be implemented sometime soon about doing 250 below 10,000' when going into Houston when the traffic is light. The procedure has to be approved by the feds and then it will be published. They also know about the erj being limited to 250 below 8,000' and will say "when able no speed restirction". Also on a fed ride the faa inspecter had said they have been advised that atc was asking for pilots to go 201 to 250 under class b and this is a violation that they are enforcing . Also be aware of when you descend sometimes they will take you below class b and not tell you either. Just be aware and pay attention.

 

[WillyG]

Yes ATC can authorize speeds in excess of 250kts. I was flying in the Huston area last week near Contiental's hub and herd ATC say "no speed limit" when greeting multiple aircraft after checking in.

 

[ex208driver]

They leave you hanging up at 10,000' and expect you to slow when they descend you down. I have asked to go fast and also been told to delete the speed restriction coming in and they let stay up at 10,000' no big deal just a little faster descent rate to get down. Also talking about class b, beware at Chicago Midway on the descent to the northwest runways. Far enough out they pd you down below class b and not tell you. Also happens at Dallas Love field.

 

[FracPilot]

I have been told that waivers also exist for certain military aircraft (T-38) where keeping them below 250 might be unsafe because of the aircraft performance characteristics - although I do not know where that is published.

No waiver required. Far 91.117(d) states: If the minimum safe airspeed for any particular operation is greater than the maximum speed prescribed in this section, the aircraft may be operated at that minimum speed.


If 255 is minimum safe airspeed, it's legal. If 350 is minimum safe airspeed for your aircraft, it's legal to fly that speed. You ARE required to notify ATC of any deviation from the speed limits.

The T-38 will fly fine at 250. Some fighters/recon aircraft will not unless dirty.