To legally fly into Class B airspace, the student pilot must have accomplished three things. First, the student must have received ground and flight training on that particular Class B air-space from an authorized flight instructor. Note that the ground training has to have been on the specific Class B airspace where the student will operate and that the flight training must have occurred in that same Class B airspace. Second, the student's logbook must be endorsed by the flight instructor who performed the flight training, and the logbook endorsement must be dated within 90 days of the solo flight in that airspace. Third, the logbook endorsement must be specific in stating that the student has received the required training and has been found proficient to conduct solo flight in that specific Class B airspace area.
There are three similar types of requirements for the student pilot who wishes to operate to, from, or at an airport located within Class B airspace. First, he or she must have received ground and flight training from an authorized flight instructor on that particular airport. Note again that the training has to have occurred at the specific airport for which solo flight is authorized. Second, the student's logbook must have been endorsed by the flight instructor who performed the flight training, and the logbook endorsement must be dated within 90 days of the solo flight. Third, the logbook endorsement must be specific in stating that the student pilot has received the required training and has been found proficient to conduct solo flight at that specific airport.
But even with the proper training and endorsements, there is a significant exception to allowing student pilot solo flight operations at Class B airports. Specifically, FAR 91.131(b)(2) prohibits student solo flight activity, takeoffs, or landings, at those airports listed in Appendix D, Section 4 of Part 91. The listed airports are, for the most part, the larger, busier commercial airports. Currently, there are 12 airports listed, including Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport, Chicago's O'Hare Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
There are a couple of points you should pay close attention to when complying with this regulation. First, note that the endorsement must be dated within 90 days of the flight - the flight and ground training need not have occurred during that preceding 90-day period. Second, note that the student's logbook must be endorsed by the flight instructor who gave the flight training. Another flight instructor could have given the ground training, but he or she need not have endorsed the student's logbook for purposes of compliance with this regulation.
Learning to operate within Class B airspace is an important experience for any student pilot. However, operating in Class B, as in busy, airspace can be challenging, and the student pilot on a solo flight needs to be properly prepared.
