Restricted Areas and Special Use Airspace: MOAs, Warning Areas, and How to Fly Around Them

Restricted areas are just one member of a larger family called Special Use Airspace (SUA) — a collection of airspace designations that pilots encounter constantly on sectional charts but often don't fully understand. Restricted areas, Military Operating Areas, warning areas, alert areas, controlled firing areas, and national security areas all have different rules, different markings, and different practical implications. Knowing the difference between them, how to determine whether each is active, and how to navigate safely around or through them is fundamental airspace knowledge.

This post covers restricted areas and the broader special use airspace family in practical depth: what each type is, how to identify them on charts, how to check whether they're active, the rules for transiting each, and how to plan flights that keep you safely clear of hazardous activity.

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What Special Use Airspace Is

Special Use Airspace (SUA) is airspace where activities must be confined because of their nature, or where limitations are imposed on aircraft not part of those activities. The FAA designates SUA to:

• Separate hazardous military activities from civilian aircraft

• Protect ground operations from aircraft

• Identify areas of unusual aerial activity

• Maintain national security

The major types of SUA are:

• Prohibited Areas (covered in detail in a separate post)

• Restricted Areas

• Warning Areas

• Military Operating Areas (MOAs)

• Alert Areas

• Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs)

• National Security Areas (NSAs)

Each has distinct characteristics, markings, and rules.

Restricted Areas: The Centerpiece

Restricted areas contain airspace where aircraft operations are subject to restrictions due to hazardous activities. Unlike prohibited areas, restricted areas may permit flight under specific conditions.

What happens in restricted areas:

• Live-fire military training

• Aerial gunnery and bombing practice

• Missile and rocket testing

• Artillery firing

• Guided missile operations

• Unmanned aircraft operations

• Other activities hazardous to non-participating aircraft

Identification:

• "R" prefix followed by a number (e.g., R-2515)

• Depicted with blue hatched boundaries on sectional charts

• Operating times and controlling agency listed on charts or in the chart supplement

Example restricted areas:

• R-2515 (Edwards AFB, California): Flight test operations

• R-2508 Complex (California): Large military training complex

• R-4806 (Nevada Test Site): Nuclear test history, ongoing operations

• R-3004 (Fort Benning, Georgia): Military training

Active vs. Inactive:

The key concept with restricted areas is whether they're "active" (hazardous activity in progress) or "inactive" (no activity).

• Active: Hazardous operations in progress. Entry requires ATC clearance, which requires coordination with the controlling agency. Often denied.

• Inactive: No hazardous activity. ATC may allow transit, often without restriction.

How to determine activity:

• Operating times published on charts (e.g., "0700-2200 Mon-Fri")

• "Other times by NOTAM" — check NOTAMs for additional activations

• ATC can advise current status

• Some restricted areas are active continuously

Military Operating Areas (MOAs)

MOAs are airspace where military training and other military operations are conducted, but where the activities are generally less hazardous than restricted areas.

What happens in MOAs:

• Military training flights

• Air combat maneuvering

• Aerobatics

• Formation flying

• Low-altitude tactics

• High-speed maneuvering

Identification:

• Named (not numbered) — e.g., "Gladden MOA," "Sells MOA"

• Depicted with magenta hatched boundaries on sectional charts

• Operating times and controlling agency listed

The key difference from restricted areas:

MOAs do NOT prohibit civilian flight. VFR aircraft may transit an active MOA without ATC clearance, though it's strongly discouraged for safety.

Operating in MOAs:

• VFR aircraft: May enter active MOAs (legally), but should exercise extreme caution

• IFR aircraft: ATC will not clear IFR aircraft through active MOAs (they route around or coordinate)

• Best practice: Contact the controlling agency or Flight Service to check activity and request traffic advisories

The safety reality:

• Military aircraft in MOAs may be operating at high speeds

• Aerobatics and unpredictable maneuvers occur

• Military aircraft may not be looking for civilian traffic

• Even though legal, transiting an active MOA VFR is risky

Practical recommendation:

• Check MOA status before flight

• If active, route around if practical

• If transiting, contact ATC for traffic advisories and remain vigilant

• Use flight following for safety

Warning Areas

Warning areas are similar to restricted areas but located over international or coastal waters.

What happens in warning areas:

• Same hazardous activities as restricted areas

• Military training over water

• Weapons testing

• Located beyond the 3 NM territorial limit

Identification:

• "W" prefix followed by number (e.g., W-291)

• Depicted with blue hatched boundaries

• Located over coastal waters

Why warning areas exist separately:

• The U.S. cannot prohibit flight in international airspace

• Warning areas "warn" pilots of hazardous activity

• They serve the same safety function as restricted areas but in international waters

Operating in warning areas:

• Flight is not prohibited (international airspace)

• Pilots are warned of potential hazards

• Best to avoid active warning areas

• Check NOTAMs and contact controlling agency

Alert Areas

Alert areas identify airspace with a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity.

What happens in alert areas:

• High volume of flight training

• Concentrated student pilot activity

• Unusual aerial activity (gliders, parachuting, etc.)

• Areas with elevated midair collision risk

Identification:

• "A" prefix followed by number (e.g., A-211)

• Depicted with magenta hatched boundaries

• Describes the type of activity

Operating in alert areas:

• No special clearance required

• All pilots (including those conducting the activity) must comply with standard regulations

• Increased vigilance recommended

• See and avoid remains the operating principle

The practical implication:

• Alert areas warn you of higher-than-normal activity

• Extra vigilance for traffic

• Common around busy training airports

Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs)

CFAs contain activities that would be hazardous to aircraft, but are conducted under conditions that allow them to be suspended when aircraft approach.

What happens in CFAs:

• Firing activities (similar to restricted areas)

• Activities with built-in safety suspension

The key difference:

• CFAs are NOT depicted on sectional charts

• Activities are suspended when aircraft approach (radar or observers detect aircraft)

• No action required by pilots

Why CFAs aren't charted:

• The activities stop when aircraft approach

• No risk to transiting aircraft

• Spotters or radar monitor for approaching aircraft

Operating near CFAs:

• No pilot action required

• The controlling agency suspends activity for approaching aircraft

• Pilots are unaffected by CFAs

National Security Areas (NSAs)

NSAs are areas where there's a requirement for increased security of ground facilities.

What NSAs are:

• Areas requesting voluntary avoidance

• Established for national security

• Pilots requested (not required) to avoid

Identification:

• Depicted with dashed magenta boundaries

• Described with avoidance request

• May be temporarily prohibited by NOTAM

Operating in/near NSAs:

• Pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid

• Not legally prohibited (unless NOTAM makes it so)

• Compliance is voluntary but encouraged

• Can become prohibited by NOTAM during heightened security

How to Determine if SUA is Active

Knowing whether special use airspace is active is critical for flight planning:

Methods to check activity:

1. Sectional chart operating times:

• Many SUA areas list operating times

• "Continuous" means always active

• "0700-2200 Mon-Fri" means active those times

• "Other times by NOTAM" means check NOTAMs

2. NOTAMs:

• Activations published in NOTAMs

• Check before every flight

• Available via 1800wxbrief.com, EFB apps

3. Controlling agency:

• Listed on charts and chart supplement

• Contact directly to verify status

• Often available via radio in flight

4. ATC:

• Center or approach can advise current status

• Request status before approaching SUA

• ATC coordinates with controlling agency

5. EFB apps:

• ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot show SUA

• Some integrate real-time activity status

• Visual depiction on charts

6. Flight Service:

• Call for SUA status

• Part of standard briefing

• Can advise during flight (122.0)

IFR Routing Through Special Use Airspace

IFR operations interact with SUA differently than VFR:

IFR and restricted areas:

• ATC will not route IFR aircraft through active restricted areas

• ATC routes around active areas

• When inactive, ATC may route through

IFR and MOAs:

• ATC will not clear IFR aircraft through active MOAs

• IFR aircraft are vectored around active MOAs

• ATC separation responsibility prevents IFR through active MOAs

IFR and warning areas:

• Similar to restricted areas

• ATC routes around active areas

The practical effect on IFR pilots:

• ATC handles SUA avoidance automatically for IFR

• IFR routing may be longer to avoid active SUA

• Pilots may notice vectors or route changes near SUA

• Less pilot responsibility for SUA avoidance under IFR

VFR Navigation Around Special Use Airspace

VFR pilots have more responsibility for SUA avoidance:

Pre-flight planning:

• Identify all SUA along route

• Check activity status (charts, NOTAMs)

• Plan routing around active areas

• Have alternates if SUA blocks direct route

Restricted areas (VFR):

• Don't enter active restricted areas without clearance

• Route around or request clearance from ATC

• Inactive areas may be transited

MOAs (VFR):

• Legally may transit active MOAs

• Strongly recommended to avoid or use caution

• Contact controlling agency or use flight following

During flight:

• Use GPS to track position relative to SUA

• Maintain situational awareness

• Contact ATC for status updates

• Request traffic advisories near active areas

Practical Examples

Example 1: VFR cross-country near a restricted area

You're planning a VFR flight that passes near R-2501. The chart shows operating times "0600-1800 Mon-Fri."

If flying on a weekday during operating hours:

• The area is likely active

• Plan to route around it

• Or contact ATC to verify and request clearance (often denied during active times)

If flying on a weekend:

• The area is likely inactive (outside operating times)

• Check NOTAMs for "other times by NOTAM" activations

• May be able to transit if confirmed inactive

Example 2: VFR flight through an active MOA

Your direct route passes through the Gladden MOA, which is active.

Options:

• Route around the MOA (adds time but maximizes safety)

• Transit the MOA VFR (legal but risky)

• Contact the controlling agency for traffic advisories

• Use flight following and remain vigilant

Recommended: If practical, route around. If transiting, contact ATC for advisories and watch carefully for military traffic.

Example 3: IFR flight near restricted airspace

You're IFR and your route would pass through an active restricted area.

What happens:

• ATC automatically routes you around the active area

• You may receive vectors or a route amendment

• No action required on your part beyond following ATC

• The detour may add time

Common Misconceptions

• "Restricted areas are always off-limits." No — restricted areas may permit entry when inactive or with ATC clearance. Only prohibited areas are essentially always off-limits.

• "I can't fly through an MOA." VFR aircraft can legally transit active MOAs, though it's not recommended. IFR aircraft are routed around active MOAs by ATC.

• "All special use airspace is shown on charts." Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs) are NOT charted because activity is suspended when aircraft approach.

• "If an area has operating times, it's only active then." Operating times indicate scheduled activity, but "other times by NOTAM" means additional activations may occur. Always check NOTAMs.

• "ATC will always keep me out of SUA." For IFR, generally yes. For VFR, you're responsible for your own SUA avoidance (ATC may advise, but the responsibility is yours).

On the Written Test and Checkride

Special use airspace appears consistently on tests. The most commonly tested topics:

• Difference between restricted and prohibited airspace

• MOA characteristics and VFR transit

• Warning areas (over international waters)

• Alert areas (high training activity)

• Controlled firing areas (not charted, activity suspended)

• How to determine if SUA is active

• IFR vs. VFR handling of SUA

Quick Reference

Special Use Airspace Types:

Type	What Happens There	Entry Rules
Prohibited (P)	National security	Generally never
Restricted (R)	Live fire, hazardous military	Clearance when active
Warning (W)	Hazardous over water	Not prohibited, caution
MOA	Military training	VFR may enter; IFR routed around
Alert (A)	High training volume	Vigilance required
CFA	Firing (suspended for traffic)	No action needed
NSA	Security	Voluntary avoidance

Chart Markings:

• Prohibited: Blue solid boundary

• Restricted: Blue hatched boundary

• Warning: Blue hatched (over water)

• MOA: Magenta hatched boundary

• Alert: Magenta hatched boundary

• NSA: Dashed magenta boundary

• CFA: Not charted

Checking Activity:

1. Sectional chart operating times

2. NOTAMs

3. Controlling agency (radio/phone)

4. ATC

5. EFB apps

6. Flight Service (122.0)

Restricted Area Rules:

• Active: ATC clearance required (coordination with controlling agency)

• Inactive: ATC may allow transit

• Always check status before approaching

MOA Rules:

• VFR: May legally transit active MOA (but risky)

• IFR: Routed around active MOA by ATC

• Best practice: Avoid or use flight following

IFR vs. VFR:

• IFR: ATC handles SUA avoidance automatically

• VFR: Pilot responsible for SUA avoidance

Key Distinctions:

• Prohibited: Almost never enter

• Restricted: Enter with clearance when safe

• MOA: VFR may enter, caution advised

• CFA: Not charted, no pilot action needed

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Author: Nathan Hodell

CFI, CFII, MEI, ATP, Creator and CEO

Nathan is an aviation enthusiast with thousands of hours of flying and dual instruction over the past 15+ years. Through his aviation career he has been able to earn his ATP, fly as an airline pilot, own/operate flight schools, and create and host wifiCFI.