What is necessary before flying above Class B airspace?

Flying above Class B airspace requires obtaining an ATC clearance. Class B airspace surrounds major airports and is designed to manage high-density traffic effectively. To maintain safety and coordination between various aircraft, pilots must communicate with Air Traffic Control before entering this airspace or operating over it. This communication ensures that ATC can provide instructions, manage the flow of aircraft, and prevent potential conflicts.

Filing a flight plan, notifying passengers, or increasing altitude gradually does not replace the requirement for an ATC clearance when dealing with Class B airspace. While filing a flight plan may be necessary for some operations and notifying passengers is generally a good practice, neither action is a substitute for the crucial requirement of receiving that clearance from ATC.