FAA Flight Routing Authorizations

AIM ¶ 5-6-11 — FAA Flight Routing Authorizations

AIM 5-6-11 explains FAA flight routing authorizations for special interest country operations in U.S. airspace. Study guide for pilot oral exams and checkrides.

In Plain English

FAA Flight Routing Authorizations are required for aircraft from certain U.S. State Department-designated special interest countries when operating to, from, within, or transiting U.S. territorial airspace. This is an informational AIM procedure tied to national security policy.

The special interest countries are:

Cuba
Iran
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
The People's Republic of China
The Russian Federation
Sudan
Syria

Key operational points:

Authorizations are obtained via the FAA website or by phone to the FAA System Operations Support Center (SOSC) at (202) 267-8115.
Aircraft registered in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Macau do not require an authorization.
Aircraft using an ICAO 3-letter designator (3LD) from a special interest country that hold valid FAA Part 129 operations specifications are exempt.
Authorizations are IFR only — VFR and DVFR operations are prohibited for any aircraft that requires a routing authorization.

While most U.S. student pilots won't encounter this directly, understanding it demonstrates awareness of national airspace security procedures.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 5-6-11

5-6-11. 5-6-11. FAA Flight Routing Authorizations Information about FAA routing authorizations for U.S. State Department-designated special interest country flight operations to or from, within, or transiting U.S. territorial airspace is available by country at: FAA website http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/us_restrictions/; or Phone by contacting the FAA System Operations Support Center (SOSC) at (202) 267-8115. Special Interest Countries. The U.S. State Department-designated special interest countries are Cuba, Iran, The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), The People's Republic of China, The Russian Federation, Sudan, and Syria. NOTE- FAA flight routing authorizations are not required for aircraft registered in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Macau. Aircraft operating with the ICAO 3LD assigned to a company or entity from a country listed as a State Department-designated special interest country and holding valid FAA part 129 operations specifications do not require FAA flight routing authorization. FAA routing authorizations will only be granted for IFR operations. VFR and DVFR flight operations are prohibited for any aircraft requiring an FAA routing authorization.

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1Which countries are designated as special interest countries requiring FAA flight routing authorizations?

Per AIM 5-6-11, the U.S. State Department-designated special interest countries are Cuba, Iran, North Korea (DPRK), the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, Sudan, and Syria.

Q2Can an aircraft requiring an FAA flight routing authorization operate VFR in U.S. airspace?

No. Per AIM 5-6-11, FAA routing authorizations are granted only for IFR operations. VFR and DVFR flight operations are prohibited for any aircraft that requires an FAA routing authorization.

Q3How can an operator obtain information about FAA flight routing authorizations?

Per AIM 5-6-11, information is available by country on the FAA website (faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/us_restrictions/) or by phone to the FAA System Operations Support Center (SOSC) at (202) 267-8115.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5

¶ 5-6-1

National Security ATC

¶ 5-6-10

TSA Aviation Security Programs

¶ 5-6-12

ESCAT Procedures

¶ 5-6-13

Aircraft Interception Procedures

¶ 5-6-14

Aircraft Interception Signals

¶ 5-6-15