I’m trying to learn everything about VFR flying using sectional charts and I think I understand most of the airspace stuff. However, one thing I can’t really wrap my head around is whether you can fly VFR above Class B airspace or not. If the ceiling of the Class B is FL10, does that mean I can fly above it with my 172 at 120 knots with A320s zooming down from the sky to enter the Class B airspace at 250 knots? It seems dangerous and I’m guessing that’s not the case? Even if I fly a little bit outside of the Class B airspace I could be hit by a jet if I’m flying high enough.
You don’t have to get a clearance to fly over Class Bravo, but as a practice you should contact approach control and let them know you are flying over, they can always refuse you a squawk code and tell you have a nice day.
Why would you not request Flight Following ? ATC is there to serve you, as the Pilot… why not make use of them, and decrease risk of getting near other traffic.
ATC would far prefer to follow you, and have contact with you, when directing you and other nearby traffic.
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The FAA provides “VFR Transition Routes” on the Class B Terminal Area Charts. These help guide VFR flights to avoid the faster airliner traffic. MSFS ATC does not have these “Transition Routes” but Flight Following is somewhat equivalent. The New York TAC has a detailed map on the reverse side showing the VFR routes up the Hudson River. Great for tourist flights!
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You can go over the top of the Class Bravo without contacting anyone. Most have transition routes as another have mentioned. Always a great idea to contact ATC for flight following.
As others have said above me, yes. You are allowed to fly VFR above class B without talking to anyone. However, in the US, you are required to operate with an ADS-B Out transmitter above 10,000 feet. That lets other aircraft (with ADS-B In) and ATC know that you’re there. This is not a worldwide rule.
Others have mentioned some special airspace. ATC in MSFS doesn’t address any of this at the moment, but fingers crossed that Working Title will add this some day. To be clear, everything they mentioned is about flying through class B and not above:
- VFR corridors: “Holes” through class B airspace where you don’t need a clearance to fly through.
- VFR transition routes: Routes through class B airspace for VFR traffic. Unlike VFR corridors, these are not holes. You would be actually flying through class B airspace. This requires clearance from ATC.
- VFR flyways: Not mentioned above. These are recommended routes around class B airspace. No clearance required. This is not mandatory at all; this is just the preferred route that ATC would like you to take if you’re going to avoid the class B. Something to consider when planning your flight.
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I’ve been enjoying practicing sim VFR flights in the Los Angeles area which is a pretty busy airspace, and the flyway charts are great for pointing out good routes for small VFR planes.
High-resolution downloads of the real FAA charts are available for free:
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/vfr/
Look under “terminal area charts” for the close-up versions that have these marked; they won’t be on the larger sectionals.
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Indeed! The TAC for Los Angeles is here, for anyone interested. (If you stumble upon this thread in a few months, this link will be out of date. But you can search for it with Vibstronium’s link, above.)
There is a YouTube video about flying the LAX special flight rules area (SFRA), and the pilot says that it feels “illegal” to be flying over LAX like this. But it’s not! I want to try this flight in MSFS some day and compare notes. 
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Thats flying UNDER the Bravo !! — New York Class B Airspace Hudson River and
East River Exclusion Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)
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