AIM Text
- Restricted areas contain airspace identified by an area on the surface of the earth within which the flight of aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to restrictions. Activities within these areas must be confined because of their nature or limitations imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities or both. Restricted areas denote the existence of unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles. Penetration of restricted areas without authorization from the using or controlling agency may be extremely hazardous to the aircraft and its occupants. Restricted areas are published in the Federal Register and constitute 14 CFR part 73.
- ATC facilities apply the following procedures when aircraft are operating on an IFR clearance (including those cleared by ATC to maintain VFR‐on‐top) via a route which lies within joint‐use restricted airspace.
- If the restricted area is not active and has been released to the controlling agency (FAA), the ATC facility will allow the aircraft to operate in the restricted airspace without issuing specific clearance for it to do so.
- If the restricted area is active and has not been released to the controlling agency (FAA), the ATC facility will issue a clearance which will ensure the aircraft avoids the restricted airspace unless it is on an approved altitude reservation mission or has obtained its own permission to operate in the airspace and so informs the controlling facility.
- Permanent restricted areas are charted on Sectional Aeronautical, VFR Terminal Area, and the appropriate En Route charts.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 3-4-3.
The short answer
This AIM section provides FAA advisory guidance on restricted areas—airspace where flight is not wholly prohibited but is subject to restrictions due to hazards such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles. Restricted areas are published in the Federal Register and constitute 14 CFR part 73. It explains ATC procedures for joint-use restricted airspace under IFR clearances.
Research Notes
Common Questions
Can I fly through a restricted area on an IFR clearance?
What hazards exist inside restricted areas?
Restricted areas denote unusual, often invisible hazards such as artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles. The AIM warns that penetration without authorization from the using or controlling agency may be extremely hazardous to the aircraft and its occupants.
Are restricted areas shown on charts?
Permanent restricted areas are charted on Sectional Aeronautical, VFR Terminal Area, and the appropriate En Route charts. The AIM notes that temporary restricted areas are not charted.