Real World Class B Question

[asad112]

Ok found this an interesting read but now my question is killing me.

Why will your instructor not just do the endorsement? Couple of years ago when I was going through training I did a cross country with my instructor and ATC asked if we would climb to move us out of the way for a medivac that was inbound to a local hospital. We said we would but we where 500' from the Class B. He then cleared us into the Bravo and asked us to climb higher by 1,000".

When we got on the ground we discussed what had happened, the process, and I did the radio work so he then gave me the endorsement. Never used it again while I was a student, but had it.

If this is routine seems like you would just do it on a flight with your instructor and done. May be over simplifying.

I have never been in the cockpit with my instructor and given a Class B clearance at the same time. The only reason I have been doing this route is to build my solo cross-country time and as of Monday, all of that time has been completed. I see what you are saying, but I don't really see myself doing much more of these longer cross-country flights before my checkride, more less with an instructor on board.

[tngarner]

I have never been in the cockpit with my instructor and given a Class B clearance at the same time. The only reason I have been doing this route is to build my solo cross-country time and as of Monday, all of that time has been completed. I see what you are saying, but I don't really see myself doing much more of these longer cross-country flights before my checkride, more less with an instructor on board.[/quote]


Ahh that makes since. Good luck with the check ride. After that it does not matter any more.

As for your check ride don't sweat it. You will hear that from a lot of folks and if you are like me it will not make since until it is over and you look back and say well that was easy. Just go fly the plane. They are not bad at all. I even had a great DPE that decided that teaching me turning stalls would be fun so I even got to learn something on mine after we did all the PTC stuff.

[asad112]

Thanks a lot. Talan can probably confirm that the biggest obstacle now in getting any sort of flying done is weather. I haven't seen this much rain in the area for almost 8 years.

[Talan2000]

No joke Asad! Talk about a terrible time to have just paid to join a North Texas flying club! I knew last Monday was possible to be the only decent flying day for the month! Glad I was able to sneak in a (50.3NM) cross country to Decatur and back. I'll be lucky to get a second flight in before the end of the month and the $50/mo dues bill keeps the meter spinning regardless!

If you are already navigating in and around the Bravo, and talking on PE, then you are far better prepared then I was flying out of untowered Denton in 1988 --- your checkride will be a non-event!

Todd

[JWPE]

Thanks a lot. Talan can probably confirm that the biggest obstacle now in getting any sort of flying done is weather. I haven't seen this much rain in the area for almost 8 years.

I'm doing my instrument rating lessons so I love this weather!

[asad112]

@JWPE, yeah, but I am sure we can all do without all these Convective Outlooks and SIGMETs.

[HRutila]

A few things need to be clarified here.

First, there is absolutely no requirement for a student pilot to have obtained a Class B clearance with a CFI onboard for the student to qualify for a solo endorsement to fly in Class B airspace. Flight and ground training on the airspace area is all that's required.

• §61.95 Operations in Class B airspace and at airports located within Class B airspace.
  (a) A student pilot may not operate an aircraft on a solo flight in Class B airspace unless:
  
  (1) The student pilot has received both ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on that Class B airspace area, and the flight training was received in the specific Class B airspace area for which solo flight is authorized;
  
  (2) The logbook of that student pilot has been endorsed by the authorized instructor who gave the student pilot flight training, and the endorsement is dated within the 90-day period preceding the date of the flight in that Class B airspace area; and
  
  (3) The logbook endorsement specifies that the student pilot has received the required ground and flight training, and has been found proficient to conduct solo flight in that specific Class B airspace area.

Next, while there is nothing illegal about flying to this airport without a Class B solo endorsement, there is clearly a lack of forethought here on the part of the instructor who endorsed you to fly this route without one, because:

1. There are several scenarios which could have come up requiring your entry into the Class B, just like there are scenarios that come up requiring course and altitude deviations and diversions in real world flying.

2. It reflects poorly on general aviation when a student pilot -- on a solo, no less -- has to start teaching regulations to a Class B approach controller over the radio. Any time a back-and-forth with a controller like that is required, especially on a solo, it is not a good thing. A simple few pen strokes in your logbook would have prevented it.

3. You are now walking away with the idea that it is okay to be unprepared for a mission if the economics justify it -- based on an incorrect assumption about the economics of obtaining a Class B solo endorsement.

[Tol3458]

What an odd situation. You definitely want to be on flight following given all the aluminum in the air, but you also don't want to bust the regs. My guess is approach is happy to give you FF, but perhaps only if you are inside Bravo airspace. The next best thing is to monitor approach. They won't be calling out traffic to you, but they will be calling out you to other traffic, which will help you with situational awareness. Along your route you also contact all the airport controllers ( Charley and Delta airspace) to get clearance and advisories.

Good luck