Definition
Airspace designated by the FAA to support routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Within NBCAP airspace, UAS operators may conduct flights where the remote pilot cannot continuously see the aircraft with the unaided eye, supported by procedures, technology, and traffic awareness measures intended to maintain safe separation from other airspace users.
Plain English
Areas of the sky set aside so drone operators can fly drones that go too far away to see with their own eyes, while still keeping things safe for everyone else flying nearby.
Context Anchor
You may see this term in ATC or FAA glossary material about radar identification and transponder code assignment.
Derivation
NBCAP stands for National Beyond Visual Line of Sight Capability. 'Beyond Visual Line of Sight' simply means the aircraft is far enough away that the operator can no longer see it with their own eyes. The name describes exactly what this airspace is built to support.
Why Pilots Care
Prevents two aircraft from using the same code, which could cause radar confusion or loss of identification by controllers.
Intuition Check
Don't read 'airspace' here as a fixed block on a sectional like Class B or C. NBCAP is a designation that enables a type of operation (long-range drone flying) within defined areas, not a traditional charted airspace class with its own entry rules for manned aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
The operator filed for a long-range survey flight under the rules that apply inside NBCAP airspace.
Example Sentence 2
When departing from a busy airport, the pilot received a code valid throughout NBCAP airspace.