FAA Military Competency Practice Exam

What does ATC require before a pilot operates in Class B airspace?

1. Visual flight plan

2. Communication radio check

3. An ATC clearance

4. Submission of a flight itinerary

The correct answer is: An ATC clearance

To operate in Class B airspace, a pilot must obtain an ATC clearance. This requirement is in place because Class B airspace is typically found around the busiest airports, where increased traffic and complex airspace interactions necessitate strict coordination and communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. The clearance process ensures that ATC can manage the flow of air traffic effectively, providing pilots with important information concerning their route and altitude assignments while minimizing the risk of collisions. Pilots must establish two-way communication with ATC before entering this airspace and receive explicit authorization to do so. While aspects like a visual flight plan or a radio check may be components of safe flight planning or ensuring equipment readiness, they do not specifically address the requirement that governs the entry into Class B airspace. Similarly, submitting a flight itinerary is not a requirement for operating in Class B. Hence, the necessity for an ATC clearance stands out as the fundamental requirement for safe operations in this congested airspace.