What is a significant characteristic of Class B airspace configuration?

The significant characteristic of Class B airspace is that it resembles an upside-down wedding cake. This design is crafted to accommodate a large volume of air traffic in and around busy metropolitan areas, ensuring safe separation between different aircraft types and altitudes. The shape features layers or tiers of airspace, with each layer extending outward and upward, creating a structured environment where air traffic control can efficiently manage the flow of both commercial and private flights.

This tiered approach allows smaller aircraft to operate at lower levels while providing larger aircraft with the necessary airspace above, thus promoting safety and efficiency. It's important to note that this configuration is not uniformly structured across all states, as Class B airspace can vary greatly depending on the specific needs of each airport and its surrounding airspace environment. Therefore, understanding the unique "wedding cake" shape is key to grasping how Class B airspace is organized to support heavy traffic safely.