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Prohibited Areas Applicability

FAR 73.81 — Prohibited Areas Applicability

FAR 73.81 establishes the scope of prohibited areas, designating them and setting limits on aircraft operations within their boundaries.

In Plain English

FAR 73.81 is the opening section of Subpart B of Part 73, which deals with prohibited areas. This short rule does two things:

  • It designates specific areas of airspace as prohibited areas.
  • It prescribes limitations on how aircraft may operate within those areas.

In practical terms, prohibited areas are blocks of airspace where flight is not allowed for reasons of national security or welfare — think places like P-56 over the White House and U.S. Capitol. As a student pilot, you need to know that these areas exist on your sectional chart (depicted with blue hatched borders and a "P-" number) and that this subpart of the regulations is the legal foundation that creates them and controls operations inside them.

Why it matters operationally: busting a prohibited area can trigger an immediate intercept, certificate action, and even criminal penalties. Always check your charts and NOTAMs before flight to make sure your route doesn't clip one.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 73.81
§ 73.81 Applicability. This subpart designates prohibited areas and prescribes limitations on the operation of aircraft therein.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What does FAR Part 73, Subpart B cover, and where is that scope defined?
FAR 73.81 states that Subpart B designates prohibited areas and prescribes limitations on the operation of aircraft within them.
Q2Where in the FARs would you find the rule that establishes prohibited areas and the limits on flying in them?
That authority is found in FAR 73.81, which is the applicability section of Part 73, Subpart B for prohibited areas.
Q3According to FAR 73.81, what two functions does Subpart B perform?
Per FAR 73.81, Subpart B (1) designates the prohibited areas themselves and (2) prescribes limitations on the operation of aircraft within those areas.
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Related Sections in Part 73
§ 73.1
Special Use Airspace
§ 73.11
Restricted Areas
§ 73.13
Restricted Area Operations
§ 73.15
Restricted Area Using Agency
§ 73.17
Controlling Agency
§ 73.19
Restricted Area Reports
§ 73.3
Special Use Airspace
§ 73.5
Bearings and Distances
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FAR 73.81 — Prohibited Areas Applicability