JO 7110.65 Air Traffic ControlJO 7110.65BB · Change 3 · Effective 7/9/2026
Chapter 7 · Section 9
Class B Service Area- Terminal
8 Paragraphs7-9-1–7-9-8
7-9-1 APPLICATION
Apply Class B services and procedures within the designated Class B airspace.
No person may operate an aircraft within Class B airspace unless:
The aircraft has an operable two‐way radio capable of communications with ATC on appropriate frequencies for that Class B airspace.
The aircraft is equipped with the applicable operating transponder and automatic altitude reporting equipment specified in paragraph (a) of 14 CFR section 91.215, except as provided in paragraph (d) of that section.
7-9-2 VFR AIRCRAFT IN CLASS B AIRSPACE
VFR aircraft must obtain an ATC clearance to operate in Class B airspace.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-18, Operational Requests. FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-4-22, Airspace Classes.
PHRASEOLOGY
CLEARED THROUGH/TO ENTER/OUT OF BRAVO AIRSPACE, and as appropriate, VIA (route). MAINTAIN (altitude) WHILE IN BRAVO AIRSPACE. or CLEARED AS REQUESTED. (Additional instructions, as necessary.) REMAIN OUTSIDE BRAVO AIRSPACE. (When necessary, reason and/or additional instructions.)
NOTE
1. Assignment of radar headings, routes, or altitudes is based on the provision that a pilot operating in accordance with VFR is expected to advise ATC if compliance will cause violation of any part of the CFR. 2. Separation and sequencing for VFR aircraft is dependent upon radar. Efforts should be made to segregate VFR traffic from IFR traffic flows when a radar outage occurs.
Approve/deny requests from VFR aircraft to operate in Class B airspace based on workload, operational limitations and traffic conditions.
Inform the pilot when to expect further clearance when VFR aircraft are held either inside or outside Class B airspace.
Inform VFR aircraft when leaving Class B airspace.
PHRASEOLOGY
LEAVING (name) BRAVO AIRSPACE, and as appropriate, RESUME OWN NAVIGATION, REMAIN THIS FREQUENCY FOR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES, RADAR SERVICE TERMINATED, SQUAWK ONE TWO ZERO ZERO.
7-9-3 METHODS
To the extent practical, clear large turbine engine‐powered airplanes to/from the primary airport using altitudes and routes that avoid VFR corridors and airspace below the Class B airspace floor where VFR aircraft are operating.
NOTE
Pilots operating in accordance with VFR are expected to advise ATC if compliance with assigned altitudes, headings, or routes will cause violation of any part of the CFR.
Vector aircraft to remain in Class B airspace after entry. Inform the aircraft when leaving and reentering Class B airspace if it becomes necessary to extend the flight path outside Class B airspace for spacing.
NOTE
14 CFR section 91.131 states that “Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each person operating a large turbine engine‐powered airplane to or from a primary airport for which a Class B airspace area is designated must operate at or above the designated floors of the Class B airspace area while within the lateral limits of that area.” Such authorization should be the exception rather than the rule.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-1-6, Deviation Advisories.
Aircraft departing controlled airports within Class B airspace will be provided the same services as those aircraft departing the primary airport.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2-1-18, Operational Requests.
7-9-4 SEPARATION
Standard IFR services to IFR aircraft.
VFR aircraft must be separated from VFR/IFR aircraft that weigh more than 19,000 pounds and turbojets by no less than:
1 ½ miles separation, or
NOTE
When ISR is being displayed, discontinue 1 ½ -NM separation.
500 feet vertical separation, or
NOTE
Apply the provisions of paragraph 5-5-4, Minima, when wake turbulence separation is required.
Visual separation, as specified in paragraph 7-2-1, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-4-2, Vectors for Visual Approach, and paragraph 7-6-7, Sequencing.
NOTE
Issue wake turbulence cautionary advisories in accordance with paragraph 2-1-20, Wake Turbulence Cautionary Advisories.
VFR aircraft must be separated from all VFR/IFR aircraft which weigh 19,000 pounds or less by a minimum of:
Target resolution, except when ISR is being displayed, or
500 feet vertical separation, or
NOTE
1. Apply the provisions of paragraph 5-5-4, Minima, when wake turbulence separation is required. 2. Aircraft weighing 19,000 pounds or less are listed in FAA Order JO 7360.1, Aircraft Type Designators.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7360.1, Para 2-2, How Designators are Formulated.
Visual separation, as specified in paragraph 7-2-1, Visual Separation, paragraph 7-4-2, Vectors for Visual Approach, and paragraph 7-6-7, Sequencing.
NOTE
Issue wake turbulence cautionary advisories in accordance with paragraph 2-1-20, Wake Turbulence Cautionary Advisories.
REFERENCE
P/CG Term - Lateral Separation. P/CG Term - Radar Separation. P/CG Term - Target Resolution. P/CG Term - Visual Separation.
7-9-5 TRAFFIC ADVISORIES
Provide mandatory traffic advisories and safety alerts, between all aircraft.
Apply merging target procedures in accordance with paragraph 5-1-4, Merging Target Procedures.
7-9-6 HELICOPTER/POWERED‐LIFT TRAFFIC
VFR helicopters and powered‐lift aircraft need not be separated from VFR or IFR helicopters or powered‐lift aircraft. Traffic advisories and safety alerts must be issued as appropriate.
7-9-7 ALTITUDE ASSIGNMENTS
Altitude information contained in a clearance, instruction, or advisory to VFR aircraft must meet MVA, MSA, or minimum IFR altitude criteria.
Issue altitude assignments, if required, consistent with the provisions of 14 CFR section 91.119.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-5-2, Flight Direction. FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-5-3, Exceptions. FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 4-5-6, Minimum En Route Altitudes. 14 CFR Section 91.119, Minimum Safe Altitudes: General. 14 CFR Part 194, Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 120-Powered‐Lift Subpart C, 194.302 Provisions Under Part 91 Applicable to Powered‐Lift.
Aircraft assigned altitudes which are contrary to 14 CFR section 91.159 must be advised to resume altitudes appropriate for the direction of flight when the altitude assignment is no longer required or when leaving Class B airspace.
PHRASEOLOGY
RESUME APPROPRIATE VFR ALTITUDES.
7-9-8 APPROACH INTERVAL
The tower must specify the approach interval.