AIM

4/3/14

3−5−7

Other Airspace Areas

2.

VFR Flyways are depicted on the reverse side

of some of the VFR Terminal Area Charts (TAC),

commonly referred to as Class B airspace charts. (See

FIG 3−5−1.) Eventually all TACs will include a VFR

Flyway Planning Chart. These charts identify VFR

flyways designed to help VFR pilots avoid major

controlled traffic flows. They may further depict

multiple VFR routings throughout the area which

may be used as an alternative to flight within Class B

airspace. The ground references provide a guide for

improved visual navigation. These routes are not

intended to discourage requests for VFR operations

within Class B airspace but are designed solely to

assist pilots in planning for flights under and around

busy Class B airspace without actually entering

Class B airspace.

3.

It is very important to remember that these

suggested routes are not sterile of other traffic. The

entire Class B airspace, and the airspace underneath

it, may be heavily congested with many different

types of aircraft. Pilot adherence to VFR rules must

be exercised at all times. Further, when operating

beneath Class B airspace, communications must be

established and maintained between your aircraft and

any control tower while transiting the Class B,

Class C, and Class D surface areas of those airports

under Class B airspace.

b. VFR Corridors.

1.

The design of a few of the first Class B

airspace areas provided a corridor for the passage of

uncontrolled traffic. A VFR corridor is defined as

airspace through Class B airspace, with defined

vertical and lateral boundaries, in which aircraft may

operate without an ATC clearance or communication

with air traffic control.

2.

These corridors are, in effect, a “hole”

through Class B airspace. (See FIG 3−5−2.) A classic

example would be the corridor through the Los

Angeles Class B airspace, which has been subse-

quently changed to Special Flight Rules airspace

(SFR). A corridor is surrounded on all sides by

Class B airspace and does not extend down to the

surface like a VFR Flyway. Because of their finite

lateral and vertical limits, and the volume of VFR

traffic using a corridor, extreme caution and vigilance

must be exercised.

FIG 3

−5−2

Class B Airspace

3.

Because of the heavy traffic volume and the

procedures necessary to efficiently manage the flow

of traffic, it has not been possible to incorporate VFR

corridors in the development or modifications of

Class B airspace in recent years.

c. Class B Airspace VFR Transition Routes.

1.

To accommodate VFR traffic through certain

Class B airspace, such as Seattle, Phoenix and

Los Angeles, Class B Airspace VFR Transition

Routes were developed. A Class B Airspace VFR

Transition Route is defined as a specific flight course

depicted on a TAC for transiting a specific Class B

airspace. These routes include specific ATC-assigned

altitudes, and pilots must obtain an ATC clearance

prior to entering Class B airspace on the route.

2.

These routes, as depicted in FIG 3−5−3, are

designed to show the pilot where to position the

aircraft outside of, or clear of, the Class B airspace

where an ATC clearance can normally be expected

with minimal or no delay. Until ATC authorization is

received, pilots must remain clear of Class B

airspace. On initial contact, pilots should advise ATC

of their position, altitude, route name desired, and

direction of flight. After a clearance is received, pilots

must fly the route as depicted and, most importantly,

adhere to ATC instructions.