14 CFR 91.117 — Aircraft Speed
250 knots below 10,000 ft MSL, 200 knots below Class B, 200 knots in Class C/D surface areas and within 4 NM of Class C/D primary airports.
Regulation Text
Unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator: No person may operate an aircraft below 10,000 feet MSL at an indicated airspeed of more than 250 knots (288 mph). No person may operate an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet above the surface within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport of a Class C or Class D airspace area at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots (230 mph). If the minimum safe airspeed for any particular operation is greater than the maximum speed prescribed, the aircraft may be operated at that minimum speed.
Note: This is an excerpt. Refer to the full regulation in eCFR for the complete text.
Plain-English Explanation
Below 10,000 feet MSL: maximum 250 knots indicated. Within 4 nm of a Class C or D airport and below 2,500 feet AGL: maximum 200 knots. Below the floor of Class B airspace or in a Class B VFR corridor: maximum 200 knots. If your aircraft cannot fly safely below these speeds, you can exceed them. These speed limits exist to reduce closing speeds and give pilots more time to see and avoid traffic.
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Related Regulations
14 CFR 91.113 — Right-of-Way Rules
Establishes right-of-way hierarchy: aircraft in distress has priority, then balloons, gliders, airships, aircraft towing, with converging and head-on rules.
§91.11914 CFR 91.119 — Minimum Safe Altitudes
1,000 feet above obstacles in congested areas (within 2,000 ft horizontal), 500 feet AGL over uncongested areas, and safe altitude over open water or sparsely populated areas.
§91.13114 CFR 91.131 — Operations in Class B Airspace
Requires an explicit ATC clearance to enter Class B airspace, operative transponder with Mode C, and specific pilot certificate requirements.
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