There are six types of SUA. These types include:
Prohibited Areas (FAR 91.133)
Airspace within which flight is prohibited.
Used for areas of security or other reasons of national welfare.
TFRs are often used around prohibited areas which the President may visit for national security.
Prohibited areas have varied ceilings but all begin at the surface.
Notices of prohibited areas are distributed via the NOTAM(Notices to Airmen) system.
Restricted Areas (FAR 91.133)
Airspace where flight is not wholly prohibited, but is subject to restrictions
Restricted areas denote the existence of invisible hazards to aircraft, such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles
The altitudes of restricted areas vary based on the operations conducted in them
If a restricted area is active, a pilot must receive prior permission of the controlling agency before flying through it
Times and altitudes of the restricted area’s operation can be found on the sectional chart
Warning Areas
Airspace of defined dimensions, extending from 3 NM outward from the coast of the U.S.
Contains activity which may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft
Warning areas warn nonparticipating aircraft about the hazardous conditions in that area
Warning areas should be thought of as the same as restricted areas, they just can’t be regulated like restricted areas because they are outside the 3 NM airspace boundary of U.S. airspace, therefore they can be flown through
Warning areas are located over domestic or international waters
Times and altitudes of operation can be found in the sectional chart
Military Operations Area (MOA)
MOA’s is airspace established to separate certain military training activities from IFR traffic
VFR pilots should exercise extreme caution when flying through an MOA
The altitudes of MOAs vary based on the operations conducted within them
Times and altitudes of operation as well as the name of the controlling agency can be found on the sectional chart
Alert Areas
Alert areas are used to inform nonparticipating pilots of areas that may contain a high volume of pilot training or an unusual type of aerial activity
There is no controlling agency in alert areas, therefore all aircraft in the area are responsible for collision avoidance
Controlled Firing Areas
Areas containing activities that if not conducted in a controlled environment could be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft
These areas are not depicted on sectional or TAC charts because the pilot does not have to action
If an aircraft is spotted in a controlled firing area all activities are suspended immediately
Special Flight Rules Areas(SFRAs)
When necessary for safety, the FAA will issue SFRAs to modify the rules within an operating area
SFRAs are just modifications to current airspaces
SFRAs are shown on sectional charts and TAC charts using a blue line with blue shaded boxes on the inside
Transponder usage, routing, communication requirements, and speed limitations are possible modifications within an SFRA
Before operating within an SFRA, you should become familiar with its regulations
A regulatory reference will be provided to allow pilots to learn about the rules in effect
TFRs(Temporary Flight Restrictions)
TFRs are airspace where the flight of aircraft is prohibited without prior permission or an FAA waiver
TFRs are implemented because the area they cover can be important to national security or national welfare
TFRs are often moved or changed frequently
Information on TFRs can be found in the NOTAMs
TFRs always have defined vertical and lateral boundaries indicated in the NOTAMs
Military Training Routes(MTRs)
Used by the military for conducting low-altitude(below 10,000 ft. MSL) high speed training(more than 250 kts)
National Security Areas(NSAs)
Airspace with vertical and lateral dimensions where there is a requirement for increased security and safety of ground facilities
Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying through NSAs
NOTAMs are issued to prohibit flight in NSAs when it is necessary to provide greater security
Terminal Radar Service Areas(TSRAs)
TSRAs are not controlled airspace
Pilots can receive additional radar services, called TSRA Service
Typically in Class D airspace, and overlying Class E airspace
Depicted with a solid black line and with altitudes for each segment expressed in hundreds of feet MSL