How to Request a Transition Through Class D Airspace

Is control tower avoidance a flight school tradition or a legitimate rule?

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, August 05, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Air traffic control tower [Credit Meg Godlewski]

Key Takeaways:

The belief that student pilots are prohibited from transitioning Class D airspace is unfounded "tribal knowledge," not a documented special rule.
This tower-avoidance behavior often originates from instructors sidestepping perceived "hassle" or to extend flight time, which then gets incorrectly normalized and passed down.
CFIs should verify any local, published procedures with airport managers and, crucially, teach and demonstrate the proper way to request and execute Class D transitions, always being prepared for a denial.

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Question: I am a new-hire CFI who just started flying at an airport near a Class D facility. The school CFIs teach you should take the long way around the Class D airport when flying in the local area rather than asking for permission to transition the airspace. A few said a previous CFI told them student pilots aren’t allowed to transition to the Class D. I haven’t found any documentation on this. Is there some special rule about student pilots and Class D that I’m just not aware of?

Answer: Without knowing which Class D you are referring to, it is difficult to provide a succinct answer. As described, this sounds like convoluted “tribal knowledge.”