FAR 73.85 — Prohibited Area Using Agency
FAR 73.85 defines the 'using agency' for prohibited areas as the agency, organization, or military command that established the area's requirements.
FAR 73.85 is a short definition section within Part 73, Subpart C, which deals with prohibited areas (special use airspace where flight is not allowed). The rule simply tells you what the term "using agency" means in this context.
Under this section, the using agency is the agency, organization, or military command that established the requirements for the prohibited area. In other words, it's the entity that needed the airspace protected and asked the FAA to designate it.
Why does this matter operationally?
- Prohibited areas (like P-40 over Camp David or P-56 over the White House) exist to protect sensitive ground assets — usually for national security or welfare reasons.
- Knowing there is a using agency behind each prohibited area reminds you that these aren't arbitrary lines on a chart; someone specifically requested protection.
- Sections 73.87 through 73.99 are reserved for the actual descriptions of individual prohibited areas, with current citations published in the Federal Register and the List of CFR Sections Affected.
As a pilot, you can't fly into a prohibited area, period — but understanding who the using agency is helps you appreciate why deviations or waivers must come through that agency.