Restricted Areas

AIM ¶ 3-4-3 — Restricted Areas

AIM 3-4-3: Learn restricted area rules, IFR clearance procedures through joint-use airspace, hazards, and charting for pilot checkride and written test prep.

In Plain English

Restricted areas are blocks of airspace where flight isn't completely banned, but is subject to restrictions because of invisible hazards like artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missile activity. Entering one without permission from the using or controlling agency can be extremely dangerous. Restricted areas are codified in 14 CFR Part 73 and published in the Federal Register.

For IFR flights (including VFR-on-top) routed through joint-use restricted airspace, ATC handles it as follows:

If the area is not active and has been released to the FAA (controlling agency), ATC lets you fly through without a special clearance.
If the area is active and not released to the FAA, ATC will route you around it — unless you're on an approved altitude reservation mission or have obtained your own permission and told the controlling facility.

For prohibited and non-joint-use restricted airspace, ATC will always clear you around it under the same exceptions.

Charting: Permanent restricted areas appear on Sectional, VFR Terminal Area, and En Route charts. Temporary restricted areas are not charted — so always check NOTAMs.

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 3-4-3

3-4-3. 3-4-3. Restricted Areas Restricted areas contain airspace identified by an area on the surface of the earth within which the flight of aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to restrictions. 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. Restricted areas denote the existence of unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or 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 areas are published in the Federal Register and constitute 14 CFR part 73. 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. NOTE- 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. Permanent restricted areas are charted on Sectional Aeronautical, VFR Terminal Area, and the appropriate En Route charts. NOTE- Temporary restricted areas are not charted.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What kinds of hazards might exist inside a restricted area, and what regulation establishes them?

Per AIM 3-4-3, restricted areas contain unusual, often invisible hazards such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles. They are published in the Federal Register and constitute 14 CFR Part 73.

Q2If you're on an IFR clearance routed through joint-use restricted airspace, when can ATC let you fly through without a specific clearance into the area?

Per AIM 3-4-3, if the restricted area is not active and has been released to the controlling agency (FAA), ATC will allow the aircraft to operate inside it without issuing a specific clearance. If it's active and not released, ATC will clear you to avoid it.

Q3Where are restricted areas depicted on charts, and is there a type that isn't charted?

Per AIM 3-4-3, permanent restricted areas are charted on Sectional Aeronautical, VFR Terminal Area, and the appropriate En Route charts. Temporary restricted areas are not charted.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 3

Military Operations Areas

¶ 3-4-6

Alert Areas

¶ 3-4-7