What is the speed limit for an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet AGL and within 4 nautical miles of a primary airport within Class C/D airspace?

The speed limit for an aircraft at or below 2,500 feet AGL and within 4 nautical miles of a primary airport within Class C or D airspace is 200 knots. This regulation is designed to enhance safety and manage air traffic in busy terminal areas, ensuring that aircraft are not moving too quickly as they approach or depart from airports where air traffic is more concentrated.

The 200-knot limit is specifically established to provide air traffic controllers with a better chance to control aircraft spacing and separation, reducing congestion and the potential for conflicts in airspace that is typically used for arriving and departing traffic. Establishing a lower speed limit in this environment helps facilitate more predictable and manageable aircraft behavior, directly contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of airport operations.

While higher speed limits may apply in more unrestricted airspace or in certain flight situations, the need for heightened caution in the vicinity of airports takes precedence, thus justifying the 200-knot standard in these specific scenarios.