14.special-use-airspace. Special Use Airspace
Special use airspace (SUA) consists of airspace where activities must be confined because of their nature, or where limitations are imposed on aircraft operations that are not part of those activities, or both. SUA is depicted on sectional, VFR terminal area, and en route low-altitude charts. With the exception of Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs), SUA areas are charted with their boundaries, designated altitudes, times of use, controlling agency, and using agency listed in a chart panel or supplement.
The categories of special use airspace are:
- Prohibited Areas
- Restricted Areas
- Warning Areas
- Military Operations Areas (MOAs)
- Alert Areas
- Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs)
- National Security Areas (NSAs)
Prohibited Areas contain airspace within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited. They are established for security or other reasons associated with the national welfare and are published in the Federal Register and depicted on aeronautical charts. Examples include P-40 over Camp David and P-56 over the White House and U.S. Capitol. Prohibited areas are designated with the letter "P" followed by a number (e.g., P-49).
Restricted Areas contain airspace within which the flight of aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to restrictions. Activities within these areas — such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missile operations — are often hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft. Restricted areas are denoted by an "R" followed by a number (e.g., R-2508). When a restricted area is active, no person may operate an aircraft within it without permission from the using or controlling agency. When inactive, the controlling agency releases the airspace back to the controlling ATC facility, and IFR/VFR operations may be permitted. Pilots can verify status with ATC or by checking NOTAMs.
Warning Areas are similar in nature to restricted areas, but the U.S. Government does not have sole jurisdiction over the airspace. A warning area is airspace of defined dimensions extending from 3 NM outward from the coast of the United States, containing activity that may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft. The purpose is to warn pilots of the potential danger. Warning areas may be located over domestic or international waters, or both, and are designated with a "W" followed by a number (e.g., W-237).
Military Operations Areas (MOAs) consist of airspace with defined vertical and lateral limits established for the purpose of separating certain military training activities from IFR traffic. Whenever an MOA is being used, nonparticipating IFR traffic may be cleared through the MOA if ATC can provide IFR separation; otherwise, ATC reroutes or restricts nonparticipating IFR traffic. VFR pilots are permitted to fly through an active MOA, but they should exercise extreme caution. Activities include air combat tactics, air intercepts, aerobatics, formation training, and low-altitude tactics. Before entering an active MOA, pilots should contact the controlling agency to obtain a traffic advisory.
Alert Areas are depicted on aeronautical charts with an "A" followed by a number (e.g., A-211) to inform nonparticipating pilots of areas containing a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity. Pilots should exercise caution in alert areas. All activity within an alert area is conducted in accordance with FARs, and all pilots — those participating and those transiting — share equal responsibility for collision avoidance.
Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs) contain activities that, if not conducted in a controlled environment, could be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft. The distinguishing feature of a CFA, as compared to other special use airspace, is that activities are suspended immediately when a spotter aircraft, radar, or ground lookout reports an aircraft approaching the area. There is no need to chart CFAs, since they do not cause a nonparticipating aircraft to change its flightpath.
National Security Areas (NSAs) consist of airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security of ground facilities. Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through these areas. When necessary, flight in NSAs may be temporarily prohibited by regulation under 14 CFR 99.7, with such prohibitions disseminated by NOTAM.
Planning around SUA:
- Always check NOTAMs before flight for SUA status changes.
- Consult the chart legend for hours of operation, controlling agency, and altitudes.
- The controlling agency is the ATC facility that assumes the airspace when it is not active; the using agency is the military unit that conducts operations within it.
- Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) and ATC can provide real-time SUA status.
A careful preflight review of the route relative to charted SUA — combined with appropriate radio coordination en route — keeps the pilot legal under 14 CFR 91.133 (which prohibits operation in active prohibited or restricted areas without authorization) and clear of hazardous military activity.