VFR Information

Flying VFR within Miami ARTCC

VFR procedures present a challenge for VATSIM controllers, as the majority of air traffic on the network is of the IFR variety.  Since the introduction of Flight Simulator 2002, ground references are made more visible with regard to VFR flight, and as such, VFR flight, while not the dominant aspect of flight on the network, is increasing.  Since not every towered position and upwards is ever likely to be manned constantly on the network, this informational page will provide a guideline for those pilots who have chosen to fly under Visual Flight Rules within Miami ARTCC, and describe what is required and which controller should be contacted (if any).

Tower Service:

Airports within Class B airspace:

Class B airports generally handle the highest volume of commercial air traffic in the United States, including passenger and cargo carriers. The Class B airspace surrounding these airports is structured to so that all of the instrument approaches serving the primary airport are protected by the Class B. The vertical profile of Class B airspace is often described as an "upside-down wedding cake" because the upper altitudes extend the greatest distance from the centerpoint of the primary airport, and the lower altitudes are contained in a closer radius to the primary airport. The airspace is thus tiered at different altitudes, with floors and ceilings, outwards from a centerpoint at the primary airport.

Miami International Airport - KMIA

The Miami Class B extends upwards to a ceiling of 7,000' MSL. VFR aircraft above 7,000' are outside of the Class B airspace.

All VFR operations within Class B airspace are subject to mandatory radar service and radar separation. VFR aircraft must have working 'Mode C' transponders (all aircraft in our virtual world have working transponders with Mode C capability), must be in communication with ATC, and require a clearance for all actions within the Class B. VFR aircraft are prohibited from entering Class B airspace unless they have received a clearance from ATC (when there is a controller online) to enter or take-off.

A chart of the Miami Class B airspace can be found HERE.

Airports under the Miami Class B airspace:

Kendall-Tamiami Executive - KTMB

Miami Opa Locka Airport - KOPF

North Perry Airport - KHWO

Opa Locka West - X46

VFR operaions at these airports must be very careful to remain clear of both the Miami Class B airspace the the Ft. Lauderdale Class C airspace above them. Although these airports do not receive TWR service (take-off or taxi clearance), VFR arrivals and departures must still contact ATC if they plan to transit either the Class B or Class C airspace above these airports. Arrivals must contact ATC and receive a clearance prior to entering either the Class B airspace or the extended and outer areas of the Class C airspace. VFR departures may depart these airports without contacting ATC, however they must remain below the floors of the Class B or outer areas of the Class C.

PLEASE NOTE: If there are IFR aircraft on approach to KMIA runway 12, 9L or 9R, VFR aircraft operating in close proximity to the floor of the Class B airspace protecting one of these approach courses might receive a private message of caution from ATC to remain clear of the Class B airspace above them. This is not intended to insult the VFR pilot. It is intended to avoid any unintentional incurrsion of a pilot who may not be aware of the protected airspace. If you are a trained pilot, we hope you will appreciate this additional safety precaution.

 

VFR Operations at Airports under Miami Class B Airspace

KTMB

The floor of Miami Class B above the airport is at 5000'. Contact MIA_APP prior to entering the Class B airsapce. Caution: The floor of the Class B to the Northeast of the field is at 2000'. If MIA_APP is not online, contact MIA_CTR prior to entering the Class B.

KOPF

The floor of Miami Class B above the airport is at 3000'. Contact MIA_APP prior to entering the Class B airsapce. Caution: The floor of the Class B to the Southwest of the field is at 2000'. The floor of the Class B airspace 2 NM South of the field extends to the Surface . If MIA_APP is not online, contact MIA_CTR prior to entering the Class B.

KHWO

The floor of Miami Class B above the airport is at 3000'. Contact MIA_APP prior to entering the Class B airsapce. Caution: The inner area of Ft. Lauderdale Class C airspace begins approximately 2 NM to the North and East of the field. If MIA_APP is not online, contact MIA_CTR prior to entering the Class B or Class C.

X46

The floor of Miami Class B above the airport is at 3000'. Contact MIA_APP prior to entering the Class B airsapce. Caution: The floor of the Class B airport to the South of the field is at 2000'. This airport is also in close proximity to the approach course for KMIA runway 12. If MIA_APP is not online, contact MIA_CTR prior to entering the Class B or Class C.

A chart of the Miami Class B airspace can be found HERE.

Tampa International Airport - KMIA

The Tampa Class B extends upwards to a ceiling of 10,000' MSL. VFR aircraft above 10,000' are outside of the Class B airspace.

All VFR operations within Class B airspace are subject to mandatory radar service and radar separation. VFR aircraft must have working 'Mode C' transponders (all aircraft in our virtual world have working transponders with Mode C capability), must be in communication with ATC, and require a clearance for all actions within the Class B. VFR aircraft are prohibited from entering Class B airspace unless they have received a clearance from ATC (when there is a controller online) to enter or take-off.

A chart of the Tampa Class B airspace can be found HERE.

VFR Operations at KTPA
VFR Arrivals		VFR Departures
Contact TPA_APP no less than 30 NM from KTPA, prior to entering Tampa Class B airspace.		Contact TPA_GND prior to taxi. State your intended direction of flight.
If TPA_APP is not online, contact MIA_CTR prior to entering Tampa Class B airspace. If MIA_CTR is not online, contact JAX_CTR prior to entering Tampa Class B airspace. ATC contact is required.		Contact TPA_TWR prior to take-off, a clearance to depart is required. If TPA_TWR is not online, contact TPA_APP prior to departure. If TPA_APP , contact MIA_CTR prior to departure. If MIA_CTR is not online, contact JAX_CTR prior to departure if you will be departing to the north. ATC contact is required.
Squawk the assigned Transponder Code		Squawk the assigned Transponder Code

Airports under the Tampa Class B airspace:

St. Petersburg-Clearwater Intl Airport - KPIE

Peter O'Knight - TPF

MacDill Air Force Base - KMCF

Clearwater Airpark - KCLW

Plant City - PCM

Hernando Co. - BKV

Manatee Airpark - 48X

Tampa Bay Executive - X41

Albert Whitted - KSPG

Pilot Country - X05

Tampa North - X39

Vandenberg - X16

VFR operaions at these airports must be very careful to remain clear of both the Tampa Class B airspace the the Sarasota Class C airspace above them. Although these airports do not receive TWR service (take-off or taxi clearance), VFR arrivals and departures must still contact ATC if they plan to transit either the Class B or Class C airspace above these airports. Arrivals must contact ATC and receive a clearance prior to entering either the Class B airspace or the extended and outer areas of the Class C airspace. VFR departures may depart these airports without contacting ATC, however they must remain below the floors of the Class B or outer areas of the Class C.

PLEASE NOTE: If there are IFR aircraft on approach to KTPA runway 18L, 18R, 36L or 36R, VFR aircraft operating in close proximity to the floor of the Class B airspace protecting one of these approach courses might receive a private message of caution from ATC to remain clear of the Class B airspace above them. This is not intended to insult the VFR pilot. It is intended to avoid any unintentional incurrsion of a pilot who may not be aware of the protected airspace. If you are a trained pilot, we hope you will appreciate this additional safety precaution.

 

VFR Operations at Airports under Tampa Class B Airspace

KPIE

The floor of Tampa Class B above the airport is at 1200'. Contact TPA_APP prior to entering the Class B airsapce. Caution: The floor of the Class B to the West of the field is at 3000'. If TPA_APP is not online, contact MIA_CTR prior to entering the Class B.

KMCF, TPF and 48X

The floor of Tampa Class B above these airports is at 1200'. Contact TPA_APP prior to entering the Class B airsapce. Caution: The floor of the Class B with 3-5 NM of these airports changes. Within 5 NM of KTPA, Class B airspace extends to the surface of the field. In areas more distant from KTPA, the floor of the Class B is at 3000'. Caution: KMCF lies in very close proximity to the approach courses for runway 36L and 36R at KTPA. If TPA_APP is not online, contact MIA_CTR prior to entering the Class B.

KCLW, KSPG , PCM, X41 , X39 and X16

The floor of Tampa Class B above these airports is at 3000'. Contact TPA_APP prior to entering the Class B airsapce. Caution: KCLW and KSPG are in very close proximity to the area of the Tampa Class B with a floor of 1200' If departing KSPG or PCM and TPA_APP is not online, contact MIA_CTR prior to entering the Class B. If departing KCLW, X41, X39 or X16 and TPA_APP is not online, contact JAX_CTR prior to entering the Class B.

BKV and X05

The floor of Tampa Class B above these airports is at 6000'. Contact TPA_APP prior to entering the Class B airsapce. Caution: The floor of the Class B just to the south of X05 is at 3000'. If TPA_APP is not online, contact JAX_CTR prior to entering the Class B or Class C.

A chart of the Tampa Class B airspace can be found HERE.

Airports within Class C airspace:

Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport - KFLL

Palm Beach International Airport - KPBI

Southwest Florida International Airport - KRSW

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport - KSRQ

Class C airports own that airspace generally in a 5 nautical mile radius core from the centerpoint of the airport designated which extends from the surface to 4000’ AGL, and the ring of airspace from 5 NM to a 10NM radius from the centerpoint of the airport designated, usually from 1500’ AGL upwards to 4000’ AGL. There is also an outer Class C area that extends from 10 NM from the centerpoint to a 20 NM radius from the centerpoint of the primary airport. Aircraft must operate a transponder in 'Mode C' and be in communication with ATC. VFR aircraft above 4000' are outside of all Class C airspace.

VFR Arrivals must contact ATC and receive a clearance prior to entering Class C airspace 10 NM from the primary airport. VFR departures must receive ATC clearance to depart the primary airport within Class C airspace. VFR participation in the ATC system in the outer area of the Class C is voluntary.

Airports under or near Class C airspace:

Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport - KFXE

Pompano Beach Airpark - KPMP

Boca Raton Municpal Airport - KBCT

Palm Beach County Airpark/Lantana - LNA

North Palm Beach County General Aviation - F45

Fort Myers/Page Field - KFMY

Venice Municpal - KVNC

VFR operaions at these airports must be very careful to remain clear of the Class C airspace above them. Although these airports do not receive TWR service (take-off or taxi clearance), VFR arrivals and departures must still contact ATC if they plan to transit the Class C airspace above these airports. Arrivals must either contact ATC and receive a clearance prior to entering Class C in a 10 NM radius around the primary airport, or they must descend to an altitude of 1500' AGL or lower in order to remain clear of the Class C airspace above. VFR departures may depart these airports without contacting ATC, however they must remain below 1500' AGL and clear of the Class C airspace above. VFR pilots may want to contact the ATC facility listed below prior to entry into the Class C airspace above the associated airport.

 

VFR Operations at Airports under Class C Airspace

KFXE

Contact MIA_APP prior to entering Ft. Lauderdale Class C airspace (MIA_CTR if MIA_APP is not online).

KLNA

Contact PBI_APP prior to entering Palm Beach Class C airspace (MIA_CTR if PBI_APP is not online).

KFMY

Contact RSW_APP prior to entering Ft. Myers Class C airspace (MIA_CTR if RSW_APP is not online).

Airports in the outer area of Class C Airspace

F45

Contact PBI_APP prior to entering Palm Beach Class C airspace (MIA_CTR if PBI_APP is not online).

KPMP

Contact MIA_APP prior to entering Ft. Lauderdale Class C airspace (MIA_CTR if MIA_APP is not online).

KBCT

Contact MIA_APP prior to entering Ft. Lauderdale Class C airspace (MIA_CTR if MIA_APP is not online). Contact PBI_APP prior to entering Palm Beach Class C airspace (MIA_CTR if PBI_APP is not online).

KVNC

Contact TPA_APP prior to entering Sarasota Class C airspace (MIA_CTR if TPA_APP is not online).

Airports within Class D airspace:

All other airports within Miami ARTCC are treated as Non-Tower airports, unless there is a controller online staffing the TWR position for that airport. . Non-Tower airports do not receive ATC service for taxi and take-off. This includes all airports within Class D airspace.

The only time a VFR pilot is required to contact ATC when departing from or landing at an airport within Class D airspace is when a TWR controller is online for that airport. For example, Key West International is treated as a Non-Tower airport unless EYW_TWR is online. We recommend that all VFR pilots use the UNICOM frequency 122.8 to announce their intentions to all of the traffic that may be operating in the area, and to excercise the same precautions that are observed in real life. VFR pilots are required to "see and avoid" all traffic. Therefore, vigilance on the part of the pilot is required.

 

VFR Operations at Class D airports
VFR Arrivals		VFR Departures
Contact the airport TWR no less than 5 miles from the airport.		Contact the airport TWR prior to taxi. State your intended direction of flight.
If TWR is not online, announce your intentions on UNICOM. No ATC contact is required.		If TWR is not online, announce your intentions on UNICOM. No ATC contact is required.
Squawk 1-2-0-0		Squawk 1-2-0-0

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Enroute Service:

Flight Following:

VFR aircraft may request Flight Following when outside of Class B or Class C airspace. If ATC is able to provide Flight Following, VFR aircraft will receive Traffic Advisories only, and weather information when it is requested. VFR pilots may request Flight Following from a Miami ARTCC CTR controller, MIA_APP when within the boundaries of the Miami TRACON, and TPA_APP when within the boundaries of the Tampa TRACON. VFR pilots are encouraged to request Flight Following while within the Miami TRACON or Tampa TRACON.