Aircraft Speeds Part91.117

[SixMileHi]

Can someone help me find published explanation of the following paragraphs of Part 91.117?

(c) No person may operate an aircraft in the airspace underlying a Class B airspace area designated for an airport or in a VFR corridor designated through such a Class B airspace area, at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph).

(d) If the minimum safe airspeed for any particular operation is greater than the maximum speed prescribed in this section, the aircraft may be operated at that minimum speed.


I have been told that an aircraft which has a minimum clean manuevering speed greater than 200 kts.(large jet) can fly that minimum speed (say 230kts) on climb out under the Class B, but must configure and fly at 200 or less while flying to an airport under the Class B airspace.

I personally dont get that interpretation when reading this regulation. Help please!

[bluesideup]

Part of the answer is who told you and what were his qualifications. Was it the FAA? I've been a FSDO inspector and an Air Traffic Controller and an airline pilot so here is my interpretation. Minimum manuvering speed is for the airplane in the clean configration. As a heads up to ATC I would advise them of my intention to operate at minimum manuvering speed instead of 200 kts. For most big planes 200 kts is usually very close in to min manuvering speed, depending on the weight. In real life the controllers don't seeem to care too much what the speed is as long as they get the spacing they want. On occasion at JFK airplanes are vectored to final below the Class B. I've never heard of anyone slowing to 200 kts until requested by aproach control.

[AWAPAC]

I'm a controller at EWR and I don't really care what speed you're doing in my class B. 250kts below 10000 is fine with me. The only issue I have is that if you are VFR in my Class B then you better be familiar with the airpace and the local VFR corridors. For info, the TEB ILS 6 descends though Bravo and they are routinely at 250kts when intercepting the Loc.

Ray Adams
EWR
-
Director
Aviation Workers of America PAC
www.aviationworkersofamerica.org
director@aviationworkersofamerica.org

[ftrdispatcher]

I agree with the two other replys you got. Basically, from what I understand per FARs, the max speed is 200 kts unless it is unsafe to do so based on aircraft performance characteristics. If you're trying to answer an exam, just answer it as it states. However, in real life as the EWR controller stated, you'll see jets buzzing along 200 kts+.