Special Use Airspace

AIM ¶ 3-4-1 — Special Use Airspace

AIM 3-4-1 explains Special Use Airspace (SUA): regulatory vs nonregulatory types, charting, and how pilots check temporary areas. Study guide for checkride prep.

In Plain English

Special Use Airspace (SUA) is airspace where activities must be contained or where non-participating aircraft face restrictions — or both. Knowing SUA types is critical because busting one can mean a violation, intercept, or worse.

SUA splits into two categories:

Regulatory SUA (established under 14 CFR Part 73 through rulemaking):
- Prohibited Areas
- Restricted Areas
Nonregulatory SUA:
- Warning Areas
- Military Operations Areas (MOAs)
- Alert Areas
- Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs)
- National Security Areas (NSAs)

Permanent SUA (except CFAs) is depicted on Sectional, VFR Terminal Area, and applicable En Route charts, including hours of operation, altitudes, and controlling agency. CFAs, temporary MOAs, and temporary restricted areas are NOT charted.

For temporary or non-depicted SUA, pilots should check Domestic Notices on the FNS NOTAM Search site, the FAA SUA website, or contact the overlying ATC facility before flight. SUA descriptions (except CFAs) live in FAA Order JO 7400.10.

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 3-4-1

3-4-1. 3-4-1. General Special use airspace (SUA) consists of that airspace wherein activities must be confined because of their nature, or wherein limitations are imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities, or both. SUA areas are depicted on aeronautical charts, except for controlled firing areas (CFA), temporary military operations areas (MOA), and temporary restricted areas. Prohibited and restricted areas are regulatory special use airspace and are established in 14 CFR part 73 through the rulemaking process. Warning areas, MOAs, alert areas, CFAs, and national security areas (NSA) are nonregulatory special use airspace. Special use airspace descriptions (except CFAs) are contained in FAA Order JO 7400.10, Special Use Airspace. Permanent SUA (except CFAs) is charted on Sectional Aeronautical, VFR Terminal Area, and applicable En Route charts, and include the hours of operation, altitudes, and the controlling agency. NOTE- For temporary restricted areas and temporary MOAs, pilots should review the Domestic Notices found on the Federal NOTAM System (FNS) NOTAM Search website under External Links or the Air Traffic Plans and Publications website, the FAA SUA website, and/or contact the appropriate overlying ATC facility to determine the effect of non-depicted SUA areas along their routes of flight.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What is Special Use Airspace and what are the two main categories?

Per AIM 3-4-1, SUA is airspace where activities must be confined or where limitations are imposed on non-participating aircraft. It is split into regulatory SUA (Prohibited and Restricted Areas, established under 14 CFR Part 73) and nonregulatory SUA (Warning Areas, MOAs, Alert Areas, CFAs, and National Security Areas).

Q2Which types of Special Use Airspace are not depicted on aeronautical charts?

Per AIM 3-4-1, Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs), temporary MOAs, and temporary restricted areas are not charted. All other permanent SUA is depicted on Sectional, VFR Terminal Area, and applicable En Route charts.

Q3How can a pilot find information about temporary or non-depicted SUA along a route?

Per AIM 3-4-1, pilots should review the Domestic Notices on the FNS NOTAM Search website, check the Air Traffic Plans and Publications website or the FAA SUA website, and/or contact the appropriate overlying ATC facility to determine the effect of non-depicted SUA along their route.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 3

Military Operations Areas

¶ 3-4-6

Alert Areas

¶ 3-4-7