Special use airspace (USA) is airspace designated for operations that may cause limitations on other, uninvolved aircraft. These operations are often military. Designating these sections of airspace helps inform pilots about the potential hazards so that they can be easily avoided. [1] [2] [3]
Most SUAs are depicted on aeronautical charts and, in the United States, listed on FAA websites.
The International Civil Aviation Organization defines SUAs as Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA), [4] : 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. [4] : 3.2.1
Special use airspace includes:
Prohibited airspace are areas where flight is not permitted, unless a clearance is issued by ATC or a relevant agency, usually for security reasons. [3] [5]
Restricted airspace are areas where potentially invisible and extreme dangers towards aircraft will be present, causing flight to be restricted or limited. [3] [5] In the UK, temporary restricted airspace can be created for large events, contests, or national security purposes. [5]
In the United States, a few types of SUAs exist: