Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.")

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Aero-Tips 06.28.06

In some areas civil aircraft simply aren't welcome. In others the door is closed at times, but open at others. We call these places Restricted Areas.

Restricted areas are airspace where aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, are subject to, well, restrictions. Restricted areas may contain unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles-not conducive to a pleasant day aloft.

Flying in restricted areas without authorization may be extremely hazardous to the aircraft and its occupants. Restricted areas are published in the Federal Register and are described in FAR Part 73 subpart B.

Controlling agency

Civilian (FAA) air traffic control (ATC) is the "controlling agency" for restricted airspace. Controllers act as the liaison between civilian pilots and the military masters of restricted areas.

If you're flying IFR (including VFR-on-Top, an IFR clearance) and your route intersects restricted airspace, ATC will check to see if the airspace is "hot", being used for an activity that warrants restricting civilian access during or near your time of transit. If the answer is "yes", ATC will issue a revised clearance (route and/or altitude) to keep you clear of the restricted area. If the answer is "no", ATC will not issue any advisory. IFR clearance through a restricted area constitutes your authority to safely fly through the airspace.

If you're flying VFR near restricted airspace, it's your responsibility to contact the controlling agency (ATC for the area) to request permission to enter. There's a list of restricted areas and the controlling agency on the back of Sectional charts. Do not rely on a preflight briefing that the area is not "hot", because things can change rapidly, and you are never authorized to enter restricted areas without controller permission . Stay clear of depicted restricted areas unless you have real-time ATC permission to enter.

Aero-tip of the day: Know the procedure for safely operating in potentially dangerous restricted areas.

FMI: Aero-Tips