Class B is a class of airspace in the United States which follows International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) air space designation. The primary purpose of a Class B airspace area is to reduce the potential for midair collisions in the airspace surrounding airports with high density air traffic operations.[1] Aircraft operating in these airspace areas are subject to certain operating rules and equipment requirements.[1]
Class B airspace protects the approach and departure paths from aircraft not under air traffic control. All aircraft inside Class B airspace are subject to air traffic control. Traffic operating under VFR must be identified on radar and explicitly cleared into the airspace before they can enter. The airspace is commonly depicted as resembling an "upside-down wedding cake." The innermost ring extends from the surface area around the airport to typically 10,000' MSL. Several outer rings usually surround it with progressively higher floors to allow traffic into nearby airports without entering the primary airport's Class B airspace.
The airspace around the busiest US airports is classified as ICAO Class B. As of September 2011, there are 37 Class B airports in the United States (36 primary airports and 1 secondary airport). Despite common misconception, Nellis Air Force Base and Dallas Love Field Airport are not designated as Class B airports, even though they are large airfields located within surface area of Class B.[2]
The following list of Class B airports is sorted by state and IATA Airport Code/ICAO Airport Code.[2]
Ohio:
Utah: