Special-Use Airspace
Six categories of special-use airspace plus TFRs. Each has its own rules for entry, communication, and risk. The CPL standard is being able to identify them on a sectional in seconds and knowing which ones legally bar you from entry without permission. Reference: AIM Chapter 3-4 and 14 CFR Part 73.
14 CFR § 73.13 — Restricted areas (R-XXXX)
"No person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area between the designated altitudes and during the time of designation, unless they have advance permission of the using or controlling agency."
- Hazards to flight: artillery, aerial gunnery, missile testing, etc.
- Restricted areas remain "hot" until cleared, even if the chart annotation says they are "intermittently active."
- Hot status verified by ATC or via the controlling agency listed in the FAA Chart Supplement / sectional border.
- Identified on charts with R- prefix (e.g., R-2515 over Edwards AFB, the largest in the CONUS).
14 CFR Part 73 — Prohibited areas (P-XXXX)
- Flight within a prohibited area is not permitted at any time for security or other reasons.
- P-40 covers Camp David in Maryland; P-56 covers the White House and adjacent area; P-49 covers the Bush ranch in Texas. Penalties for unauthorized entry include certificate revocation and prosecution.
- Identified on charts with P- prefix.
Military Operations Areas (MOAs)
- Established to separate certain military training activities from IFR traffic.
- VFR aircraft may transit an active MOA without prior permission — but it's strongly recommended to contact the controlling agency for traffic advisories. Per AIM 3-4-5, "Pilots operating under VFR should exercise extreme caution while flying within an MOA when military activity is being conducted."
- IFR aircraft are routed around an active MOA when possible; when impractical, ATC will provide separation from military activity.
- Operating hours and altitudes are charted on the sectional border. Listen on the controlling-agency frequency before transit.
Warning Areas (W-XXX)
- Airspace extending from 3 NM outward from the coast of the United States. Beyond US territorial waters, so the FAA cannot legally "prohibit" entry — but warning areas contain hazards similar to restricted areas.
- Same as MOAs: enter at your own risk; contact controlling agency for advisories.
- Identified with W- prefix. Common offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and along the East Coast.
Alert Areas & Controlled Firing Areas
- Alert Areas (A-XXX): high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity. No restrictions on entry; pilots in and out are responsible for collision avoidance. (Example: A-211 over Lake Charles, LA.)
- Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs): activities suspended immediately when an aircraft is detected by spotters, radar, or air traffic control. Not charted because they don't require pilot action.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
Issued under several reg sections, each for a different reason:
- § 91.137 — Disaster/hazard area (wildfires, chemical spills)
- § 91.138 — Hawaii: emergency air-traffic rules
- § 91.139 — Emergency air traffic rules (e.g., 9/11)
- § 91.141 — VIP movement (presidential, head-of-state)
- § 91.143 — Space launch / re-entry operations
- § 91.145 — High-volume sporting events (Super Bowl, NASCAR)
Read current TFRs at tfr.faa.gov before every flight. The map is the canonical view; cross-reference with your nearest active NOTAM. Helicopter EMS, fire support, and law-enforcement ops have specific TFR exemption procedures — see the individual reg cited.
Other airspace pilots confuse with SUA
- Military Training Routes (MTRs): IR-XXX (IFR) and VR-XXX (VFR) routes for low-altitude high-speed military training. Charted on sectionals as gray bands. 3-digit identifier = entirely below 1,500 AGL; 4-digit identifier = one or more segments above 1,500 AGL. Cross at right angles when possible.
- National Security Areas (NSAs): charted areas where pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid. Can become regulatory restricted areas under § 99.7 if needed.
- Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ): off-shore zones where civil aircraft must file IFR / DVFR flight plans and squawk an assigned code (per § 99). The Washington D.C. SFRA and FRZ are the most heavily controlled airspace in the country.