A320 captain reported approach control assigned an altitude below the class B airspace into an area ...

Attributes
ACN	1501240
Time
Date	201711
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	IAH.Airport
State Reference	TX
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Route In Use	Vectors Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 210 Flight Crew Total 21000 Flight Crew Type 1800
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

We were being vectored on a left downwind for a visual approach to runway 27 at iah. Aircraft were being turned on to about a 25 mile final. Aircraft were also given a descent to 2000 feet and told that they would be outside the class B airspace. I am concerned because this area has a lot of VFR traffic; many of whom do not talk to approach control and there is no way to guarantee that they have an operable transponder that is turned on and accurate. Even when the 'heavies' reach the class B ring they are at the very bottom of protected airspace. Most VFR pilots in this area feel they are safe from airliners if they remain outside (below) class B airspace. Descending airliners into a busy general aviation flying area; one that includes a practice area for student pilots; is a very hazardous practice.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 Captain reported Approach Control assigned an altitude below the Class B airspace into an area known as a VFR student pilot practice area.

Narrative: We were being vectored on a left downwind for a Visual Approach to Runway 27 at IAH. Aircraft were being turned on to about a 25 mile final. Aircraft were also given a descent to 2000 feet and told that they would be outside the Class B airspace. I am concerned because this area has a lot of VFR traffic; many of whom do not talk to Approach Control and there is no way to guarantee that they have an operable transponder that is turned on and accurate. Even when the 'heavies' reach the Class B ring they are at the very bottom of protected airspace. Most VFR pilots in this area feel they are safe from airliners if they remain outside (below) Class B airspace. Descending airliners into a busy General Aviation flying area; one that includes a practice area for student pilots; is a very hazardous practice.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

A320 captain reported approach control assigned an altitude below the class B airspace into an area known as a VFR student pilot practice area.