Immersive Training: NY to LA [part 3/8]

To one degree or another, most pilots fear landing at Class B airports. It’s a valid concern, but like most things, can be overcome with experience. You just need to try it a few times, survive it and improve at it. 

Not all “bravos” are the same, so a great way to approach it is to start at the less busy ones (i.e. KPIT, not KJFK). During our trip to LA, we landed at KDEN , which was a bucket list airport for our client and since I'd never landed there, thought it was pretty great also.

Like most things in aviation, the key to success is planning and the 3 areas to pay most attention to are:

1. Who will you likely be speaking to? Multiple approach controllers, tower, ground, ramp/apron, FBO -- it's a long list but one that you can prepare for and even rehearse if you wanted to.

2. What approach/runway can you expect? It's somewhat a roll of the dice, but winds and direction you're approaching from will usually dictate your initial options, then parking convenience could play a factor. This means that if the general aviation/FBO ramp is adjacent to a particular runway, approach/tower could set you up for that runway, if traffic/spacing allows.

3. How to taxi to parking? Approach/landing is one thing, taxiing at a Class B is another. They are large pieces of real estate with complex charts and endless taxiways. Again, try to plan your likely route ahead of time, write down your taxi instructions if needed and take your time (though not too much time if in KORD ;-)

Short story, Class B's are complicated, but the experience is worth it!