Plain English Meaning

A block of airspace set aside for activities like military training, weapons testing, or security operations, where civilian flying is either banned, restricted, or requires extra caution.

Full Definition

Airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth wherein activities must be confined because of their nature, or wherein limitations are imposed upon aircraft operations that are not part of those activities, or both. Types include Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas, Warning Areas, Military Operations Areas (MOAs), Alert Areas, Controlled Firing Areas, and National Security Areas.

Context Anchor

Pilots encounter Special Use Airspace during route planning, on , in and , and sometimes when talking with .