Special Use Airspace

Special use airspace are those areas the Federal Aviation Administration emphasizes aviation traffic separation from invisible hazards.


Introduction

Introduction
  • Special Use Airspace is a term used to define a group of Airspace types.
  • In those instances where security requirements dictate, the Federal Aviation Administration establishes prohibited airspace to segregate surface areas from flight operations completely.
  • Like prohibited airspace, restricted airspace limits most flight operations but permits some when the controlling agency approves.
  • National Security Areas establish protected airspace that provides security for those locations that are most vital to national security.
  • Throughout the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration establishes Military Operating Areas to identify airspace that contains dynamic military operations.
  • Areas with uniquely high levels of air traffic are designated as alert areas, which provide pilots with advanced warning.
  • Controlled Firing Areas are uncharted but monitored airspace areas with episodic aerial hazards that could otherwise threaten flight operations.
  • Airspace that may contain hazards to non-participating aircraft gets classified as a warning area, which notifies pilots to exercise caution.
  • When you have a solid understanding of Special Use Airspace, compare your knowledge against the Private Pilot (Airplane) or Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Airman Certification Standards.
  • Think you've got a solid understanding of special use airspace? Don't miss the special use airspace quiz below, and topic summary.

Prohibited Airspace

Prohibited Airspace
  • Prohibited Airspace (Sectional Chart)
    Prohibited Airspace (Sectional Chart)
  • Prohibited Airspace (IFR Enroute Chart)
    Prohibited Airspace (IFR Enroute Chart)
  • Prohibited airspace is a designated area within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited.
    • No person may operate an aircraft within a prohibited area unless the using agency has granted authorization.
  • Such areas are established for security and other national welfare reasons and should be considered off-limits.
  • Prohibited Airspace is regulatory in nature.
    • Violating prohibited airspace without a clearance is grounds for interception and follow-on legal action.
  • Prohibited airspace areas are regulatory in nature, established through the rule-making, reflected in 14 CFR Part 73 Subpart C, and published in the Federal Register.
  • A complete list of prohibited airspace areas, altitudes, times of designation, and using agency is found in FAA JO 7400.10, Special Use Airspace.
  • FAA JO 7400.10, Special Use Airspace, provides a complete list of prohibited airspace areas, altitudes, times of designation, and using agency.

  • Prohibited Airspace Depiction:

    • Prohibited airspace areas are depicted on aeronautical charts, including VFR sectionals and IFR en-route low-altitude charts.
    • The area is charted as a "P-" followed by a designation number and is positioned either within or immediately adjacent to the area. [Figure 1/2]
    • Prohibited Airspace (Sectional Chart)
      Prohibited Airspace (Sectional Chart)
    • Prohibited Airspace (IFR Enroute Chart)
      Prohibited Airspace (IFR Enroute Chart)
    • Details about specific prohibited areas are available on the side of the corresponding sectional chart. [Figure 3]
    • Prohibited Airspace Information
      Prohibited Airspace Information

Restricted Airspace

Restricted Airspace
  • Restricted Airspace Sectional Depiction
    Restricted Airspace
    (Sectional Chart)
  • Restricted Airspace (IFR Enroute Chart)
    Restricted Airspace (IFR Enroute Chart)
  • Restricted Airspace Information
    Restricted Airspace Information
  • Restricted airspace are areas within which the flight of Aircraft is not wholly prohibited but subject to restrictions
  • Restricted Areas are subject to restriction as they contain unusual, often invisible hazards to Aircraft, such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or flight of guided missiles.
  • Penetration of restricted areas without authorization from the using or controlling agency may be extremely hazardous to the Aircraft and its occupants.
  • Restricted airspace areas are regulatory in nature, established through the rule-making, reflected in 14 CFR Part 73 Subpart B, and published in the Federal Register.
  • A complete list of restricted airspace areas, altitudes, times of designation, using agency, and controlling agency is found in FAA JO 7400.10, Special Use Airspace.

  • Restricted Airspace Depiction:

    • Restricted airspace is depicted on aeronautical charts, including VFR sectionals, VFR Terminal Area charts, and IFR en-route low-altitude charts.
      • Temporary restricted areas are not charted.
    • SUA areas are shown in their entirety (within the limits of the chart), even when they overlap, adjoin, or when an area is designated within another area.
    • The area is charted as a "R-" followed by a designation number and is positioned either within or immediately adjacent to the area [Figure 4/5].
    • Restricted Airspace Sectional Depiction
      Restricted Airspace
      (Sectional Chart)
    • Restricted Airspace (IFR Enroute Chart)
      Restricted Airspace (IFR Enroute Chart)
    • All are supplemented with altitude, time of use and the controlling agency/contact facility, and its frequency when available.
    • The controlling agency will be shown when the contact facility and frequency data is unavailable.
    • Details are available on the side of the sectional chart. [Figure 6]
    • Restricted Airspace Information
      Restricted Airspace Information
    • ATC facilities apply the following procedures when Aircraft are operating on an IFR clearance (including those cleared by ATC to maintain VFR-on-top) via a route which lies within joint-use restricted Airspace:
      • If the restricted area is not active and has been released to the controlling agency (FAA), the ATC facility will allow the aircraft to operate in the restricted Airspace without issuing specific clearance for it to do so.
      • If the restricted area is active and has not been released to the controlling agency (FAA), the ATC facility will issue a clearance, which will ensure the Aircraft avoids the restricted Airspace unless it is on an approved altitude reservation mission or has obtained its own permission to operate in the Airspace and so informs the controlling facility.
        • The above apply only to joint-use restricted Airspace and not to prohibited and nonjoint-use Airspace. For the latter categories, the ATC facility will issue a clearance so the Aircraft will avoid the restricted Airspace unless it is on an approved altitude reservation mission or has obtained its own permission to operate in the Airspace and so informs the controlling facility.

  • Restricted Airspace Operations:

    • Activities within these areas must be confined because of their nature or limitations imposed upon Aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities or both.
    • No person may operate an Aircraft within restricted Airspace unless abiding by the restrictions imposed.
    • Deviations from 14 CFR Part 91 subpart B (flight rules) are authorized if using restricted Airspace for its intended use.
    • Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities apply the following procedures when Aircraft are operating on an IFR clearance (including those cleared by ATC to maintain VFR-on-top) via a route which lies within joint use restricted airspace.
      1. If the restricted area is not active and has been released to the controlling agency (FAA), the ATC facility will allow the Aircraft to operate in the restricted Airspace without issuing specific clearance for it to do so.
        • Approval for entry is, therefore, the controlling agency's to grant.
        • Since it will not be a clearance, approval is more informal, and you should expect to hear the words "cleared."
      2. If the restricted area is active and has not been released to the controlling agency (FAA), the ATC facility will issue a clearance which will ensure the Aircraft avoids the restricted Airspace unless it is on an approved altitude reservation mission or has obtained its own permission to operate in the Airspace and so informs the controlling facility.

National Security Areas

National Security Areas
  • National Security Area Sectional Depiction
    National Security Area
    Sectional Depiction

  • Class Echo Surface Area Sectional Depiction
    Class Echo Surface Area
    Sectional Depiction

  • National Security Area
    National Security Area
    (Near UT10)
  • National Security Areas (NSAs) are established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security and safety of ground facilities.
  • Depicted inside a magenta dash, similar as a class echo Airspace extension to surface, but larger. [Figure 7/8]

  • National Security Area Sectional Depiction
    National Security Area
    Sectional Depiction

  • Class Echo Surface Area Sectional Depiction
    Class Echo Surface Area
    Sectional Depiction
  • Special instructions can be found written on the sectional chart, in the vicinity of the NSA. [Figure 9]
  • For a list of critical infrastructure sites, see https://www.cisa.gov/critical-infrastructure-sectors.

  • National Security Area
    National Security Area
    (Near UT10)

  • National Security Area Operations:

    • Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through a depicted NSA.
    • Regulated under Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 99.
    • Flight inside NSAs may be temporarily prohibited by regulation under the provisions of FAR 99.7 when necessary
      • Regulatory prohibitions will be issued by System Operations Security and disseminated via a Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM).
      • Prohibitions will be issued by NOTAM, when required.
    • Inquiries about NSAs should be directed to Airspace and Rules.

  • UAS Operations Within National Security Areas:

    • UAS Operations are prohibited over approved fixed site facilities and limits the fixed site facilities to Federal owned sites UAS operations may be approved under the SGI process.
    • UAS remote pilots and recreational flyers must carefully consider the need to fly over critical infrastructure and determine the legality of doing so, infractions may result in significant fines and legal actions.
    • Flight near other correctional institutions may be prohibited by other federal, state or local statutes.

Military Operating Areas

Military Operating Areas
  • Military Operating Areas (MOAs) are blocks of airspace that are established to separate certain military training activities from Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) traffic.
  • Activities contained within MOAs include:
  • These areas are non-regulatory and do not require pilot participation.
  • Pine Hill Depiction
    Pine Hill Military Operating Area Depiction

  • Military Operating Area Operations:

    • Military Operating Areas (and warning areas for that matter) are critical to train military pilots while maintaining military readiness.
    • These areas are not always active and their status, as well as type of activity may change frequently which produces hazards such as speeds in excess of 250 knots below 10,000'
      • Examples of activities conducted in Military Operating Areas include, but are not limited to, air combat tactics, air intercepts, aerobatics, formation training, and low-altitude tactics.
      • For these reasons, it is important to understand how these blocks of airspace affect your flight.

    • Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Traffic:

      • Pilots operating under VFR should exercise extreme caution while flying within Military Operating Areas when military activity is being conducted.
      • The pilot should contact the controlling agency when operating within 100 NM of the Military Operating Area to be crossed as the status (active/inactive) may change frequently.
      • While flight through an active Military Operating Area is not prohibited to civilian traffic, it is a very bad idea due to dynamic operations in this Airspace.
      • Despite the safety hazard, it will cause military activity to "knock it off," resulting in wasted time and gas, which will ultimately cost taxpayers.

    • Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Traffic:

      • Whenever an Military Operating Area is being used, non-participating IFR traffic may be cleared through an Military Operating Area if IFR separation can be provided by Air Traffic Control (ATC).
      • Otherwise, ATC will reroute or restrict non-participating IFR traffic.
    • No regulation exists prohibiting civilian, VFR traffic, from transiting an active Military Operating Area.
      • Understand, however, that doing so will almost definitely stop training, costing thousands of dollars, which translates into tax dollars.

  • Military Operating Area Depiction:

    • Permanent Military Operating Areas are depicted on sectionals, VFR Terminal Areas, and Low Altitude Charts in magenta.
    • All operating areas have a name and sometimes a number when Military Operating Areas are split into segments. [Figure 10]
    • Vance Military Operating Area Depiction
      Vance Military Operating Area Depiction
    • Military Operating Areas are shown in their entirety (within the limits of the chart), even when they overlap, adjoin, or when an area is designated within another area. [Figure 11]
    • Sectional Chart Military Operating Area
      Pine Hill Military Operating Area
    • The areas are identified by type and identifying name/number and are positioned either within or immediately adjacent to the area.
    • A tabulation of Military Operating Areas (listed alphabetically) appear on the chart in magenta. [Figure 12]
    • All are supplemented with altitude, time of use and the controlling agency/contact facility, and its frequency when available.
      • The controlling agency will be shown when the contact facility and frequency data is unavailable.
  • Pine Hill Tabulation
    Pine Hill Military Operating Area
  • Military Operating Areas are scattered throughout the country and are most densely concentrated around military bases.
  • It is not required to gain permission to enter a Military Operating Area but it is crucial you request advisories for yours and others safety.
  • Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance (see and avoid) still remains a responsibility of all parties when operating in Visual Meteorological Conditions as per FAR 91.113(b).
  • Military pilots are exempt from 14 CFR 91.303(c) and (d) which prohibits aerobatics within Class Delta or Echo surface areas and federal Airways, when operating in an active MOA.

Controlled Firing Areas

Controlled Firing Areas
  • Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs) contain activities which, if not conducted in a controlled environment, could be hazardous to non-participating Aircraft.
  • Examples include military artillery operations.

  • Controlled Firing Area:

    • CFAs are not depicted on a map as they do not cause a non-participating aircraft to change its flight path.
    • When a spotter aircraft, radar, or ground personnel determines an aircraft might be approaching the area, the activities are discontinued.
    • Non-regulatory in nature.

Alert Area

Alert Area
  • Alert Area
    Alert Area
  • Alert areas are depicted on aeronautical charts to inform nonparticipating pilots of areas that may contain high volumes pilot training, parachute jumping, glider towing, or an unusual type of aerial activity. [Figure 13]
    • Alert areas, however, are not always established in areas that meet the above criteria.
  • Alert Area
    Alert Area
  • Alert areas are non-regulatory.

  • Congestion:

    • Pilots are urged to exercise extreme caution if operating inside of an alert area.
    • It is preferable to avoid the area in its entirety to unnecessarily add to the congestion.
    • All activity within an alert area must be conducted in accordance with CFRs, without waiver, and pilots of participating Aircraft as well as pilots transiting the area must be equally responsible for collision avoidance.
    • The area is charted as an "A-" followed by a number.
      • Additional information is available on the edge of the sectional chart to which Airspace pertains. [Figure 14]
  • Alert Area Explanation
    Alert Area Explanation

Warning Areas

Warning Areas
  • Warnings areas are sections of airspace that contain activities that may be hazardous to non-participating Aircraft [Figure 15/16/17] is classified as a Warning Area.
  • The purpose of such warning areas is to warn nonparticipating pilots of the potential danger.
  • Warning areas are located over domestic or international waters or both.
  • Warning Area Depicted
    Warning Area Depicted
  • Warning Area Depicted
    Warning Area Depicted

  • Warning Area Air Traffic Services:

    • Air traffic control and de-confliction rests within military controlling agencies.

      • Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC):

        • A command that provides scheduling and control of all Air, surface, and subsurface activities within offshore operations areas, and all other assigned Airspace where FACSFAC has jurisdiction.
        • Services support the coexistence of military, government, and non-government agencies consistent with national priorities.
        • FACSFAC has 5 locations:
          1. VACAPES (Virginia/capes).
          2. San Diego (west coast).
          3. Pensacola (southeast).
          4. Pearl Harbor (Hawaii).
          5. Jacksonville (east).
        • Non-regulatory in nature.

  • Warning Area Dimensions:

    • Warning Area Lateral Limits:

      • Warning areas extend from 3 Nautical Miles (NM) and outward from the coast of the United States.
      • The Airspace areas are individually tailored.

    • Warning Area Vertical Limits:

      • The vertical dimensions is not depicted on charts.
      • For floors and ceilings, you must reference the Special Use Airspace table on the edge of the aeronautical charts.

  • Warning Area Airspace Depiction:

    • Warning Areas are depicted on the following charts:
    • Warning areas are shown in their entirety (within the limits of the chart), even when they overlap, adjoin, or when an area is designated within another area.
    • Areas are identified by type and identifying number, and are positioned either within or immediately adjacent to the area.
      • Warning areas are charted with a "W-" followed by a two or three-digit number.
      • Letters following the two or three-digit number delineate subdivisions (for example, W-291A).
    • A tabulation of Alert Areas (listed numerically) appear on the chart in blue.
    • All are supplemented with altitude, time of use and the controlling agency/contact facility, and its frequency when available.
    • The controlling agency will be shown when the contact facility and frequency data is unavailable.
    • Each warning area is unique and may have notes printed on the chart explaining the type of activity that may take place in that location.
    • Warning Areas on Sectional
      Warning Area Legend
    • Warning Areas on Sectional
      Warning Area Legend
    • Warning Area Depicted
      Warning Area Depicted
    • Warning Area Depicted
      Warning Area Depicted

  • Operating Rules & Pilot/Equipment Requirements:

    • Restrictions:

      • The U.S. Government does not have sole jurisdiction over the airspace, but shares it with the U.S. Navy.
      • Warning areas may be considered for joint use if the area is releasable to the FAA during periods when it is not required for its designated purpose, and provided the warning area is located in Airspace wherein the FAA exercises ATC authority under ICAO agreements.

Obtaining Special Use Airspace Status

Obtaining Special Use Airspace Status
  • Pilots can request the status of SUA by contacting the using or controlling agency.
    • The frequency for the controlling agency is tabulated in the margins of the applicable IFR and VFR charts.
  • An airspace NOTAM will be issued for SUA when the SUA airspace (permanent and/or temporary) requires a NOTAM for activation.
    • Pilots should check ARTCC NOTAMs for airspace activation.

  • Special Use Airspace Information Service (SUAIS) (Alaska Only):

    • The SUAIS is a 24-hour service operated by the military that provides civilian pilots flying VFR with information regarding military flight operations in certain MOAs and restricted Airspace within central Alaska.
    • The service includes "near real-time" information on military flight activity in the interior Alaska MOA and Restricted Area complex.
    • SUAIS also includes information on artillery firing, known helicopter operations, and unmanned aerial vehicle operations.
    • Pilots flying VFR are encouraged to use SUAIS.
    • See the Alaska Chart Supplement for hours of operation, phone numbers, and radio frequencies.
  • Special use Airspace scheduling data for preflight planning is available via the FAA SUA website.
    • Pilots may also call or access Flight Service via phone/internet for airspace schedule information.

Special Use Airspace Knowledge Quiz

Special Use Airspace Knowledge Quiz

Conclusion

Conclusion
  • Remember, no person may operate an aircraft within a prohibited area unless granted authorization by the using agency, which is the U.S. Government or Military.
    • This differs from restricted airspace, where operations are not wholly prohibited but are subject to restrictions.
    • This means that not even ATC can grant you access to enter!
  • Special use airspace and its status can be accessed through the FAA's SUA website or with future advanced avionics.
  • Special Use Airspace is not all depicted the same:
    • Prohibited, Restricted, and Warning Areas are presented in blue and listed numerically for the U.S. and other countries.
    • Restricted, Danger and Advisory Areas outside the U.S. are tabulated separately in blue.
    • The chart shows a tabulation of Alert Areas (listed numerically) and Military Operations Areas (MOA) (listed alphabetically) in magenta.
  • Restricted areas are published in the Federal Register and constitute 14 CFR Part 73.
  • Warning areas are similar to Military Operating Areas and may be used for the same reasons.
  • Do not become complacent in or around an alert area.
  • Always check Temporary Flight Restrictions before the flight to modify the standoff distance from certain special use airspace as required.
  • When not active, the Airspace is released back to the FAA Air Traffic Control system for utilization.
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References

References