Special use airspace (SUA) is a type of special airspaces in the United States designated for operations of a nature such that limitations may be imposed on aircraft not participating in those operations. Often these operations are of a military nature. The designation of SUAs identifies for other users the areas where such activity occurs, provides for segregation of that activity from other users, and allows charting to keep airspace users informed of potential hazards.
Most SUAs are depicted on aeronautical charts and listed on FAA websites. Overlying Air traffic controllers can also provide SUA information.
The Aeronautical Information Manual includes the following SUAs: [1]
Name | Purpose | Permission to entry | Example | Chart depiction | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prohibited Area | Established for security or other reasons associated with the national welfare | No aircraft may enter [Note 1] | P-40 surrounding Camp David | Name starts with "P-" and delineated with | The area may expand or shrink based on activities on the surface |
Restricted Area | Denote the existence of unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles | Require clearance from the controlling agency | R-4808N surrounding Area 51 | Name starts with "R-" and delineated with | |
Warning Area | Extend from 3 nautical miles outward from the coast of the U.S., that contains activity that may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft. | Require clearance from the controlling agency when active | Name starts with "W-" and delineated with | May be located over domestic or international waters or both | |
Military Operations Area (MOA) | Separate certain military training activities from IFR traffic | VFR traffics may enter with caution; IFR traffic may be re-routed | Duke MOA [4] | Name ends with "MOA" and delineated with | Military aircraft authorized to travel faster than 250 knots below 10,000 feet altitude |
Alert Area | Inform nonparticipating pilots of areas that may contain a high volume of pilot training or an unusual type of aerial activity | Not required | A-211, flight training near Miami International Airport [5] | Name starts with "A-" and delineated with | All activities strictly adhere to Federal Aviation Regulations with no waivers |
Controlled Firing Areas (CFA) | Contain activities that may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft, but ceased immediately when spotter aircraft, radar, or ground lookout positions indicate an aircraft might be approaching the area | Not required | Non-aircraft ordnance disposal, blasting, and static testing of large rockets. [6] | Not depicted on charts | |
National Security Area (NSA) | Need for increased security and safety of ground facilities | Requested to avoid overflying | Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant | Thick dashed magenta lines | Flying may be temporarily prohibited |
A few airspaces that are considered neither special use airspaces nor the typical controlled / uncontrolled airspaces include: [7]
All permanent SUA areas, except for controlled firing areas, are depicted on aeronautical charts, including sectional aeronautical charts, VFR terminal area charts, and applicable en-route charts, accompanied with these areas' respective the hours of operation, altitudes, and the controlling agency. Controlled firing areas, temporary military operations areas, and temporary restricted areas are not shown on the charts. [1] : 3-4-1
In addition to charts, pilots can verify the status of permanent SUAs by contacting the using or controlling agency. These contact information are included in chart margins. For temporary or permanent SUAs requiring a NOTAM for activation, an airspace NOTAM will be issued, and pilots can the SUA status via air route traffic control centers. Alaska's military operation runs Special Use Airspace Information Service to inform civilian VFR traffic about certain military operation areas and restricted airspaces within central Alaska. [1] : 3-4-9
SUAs are more commonly recognized by International Civil Aviation Organization as Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA), [10] : Appendix A. Part II. Article 1. an airspace management concept where airspaces should never be designated as purely civil or military, but rather as a continuum in which all user demands are accommodated to the greatest possible extent. [10] : 3.2.1
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