US14 CFR14 CFR Part 73Secondary legislationIn force

Special Use Airspace

14 CFR Part 73 establishes the framework for Special Use Airspace, designating airspace where activities must be confined or aircraft operations restricted. It defines restricted areas with specified altitude and horizontal limits, prescribes requirements for using and controlling agencies, and mandates annual reporting by using agencies on their restricted area activities to the FAA.

Last changed 2 weeks ago.

Extracted view for reading · Original for compliance evidence

PART 73—SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

Subpart A—General

§ 73.1 Applicability.

The airspace that is described in subpart B and subpart C of this part is designated as special use airspace. These parts prescribe the requirements for the use of that airspace.

§ 73.3 Special use airspace.

(a) Special use airspace consists of 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 a part of those activities, or both.

(b) The vertical limits of special use airspace are measured by designated altitude floors and ceilings expressed as flight levels or as feet above mean sea level. Unless otherwise specified, the word “to” (an altitude or flight level) means “to and including” (that altitude or flight level).

(c) The horizontal limits of special use airspace are measured by boundaries described by geographic coordinates or other appropriate references that clearly define their perimeter.

(d) The period of time during which a designation of special use airspace is in effect is stated in the designation.

§ 73.5 Bearings; radials; miles.

(a) All bearings and radials in this part are true from point of origin.

(b) Unless otherwise specified, all mileages in this part are stated as statute miles.

Subpart B—Restricted Areas

§ 73.11 Applicability.

This subpart designates restricted areas and prescribes limitations on the operation of aircraft within them.

§ 73.13 Restrictions.

No person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area between the designated altitudes and during the time of designation, unless he has the advance permission of

(a) The using agency described in § 73.15; or

(b) The controlling agency described in § 73.17.

§ 73.15 Using agency.

(a) For the purposes of this subpart, the following are using agencies;

(1) The agency, organization, or military command whose activity within a restricted area necessitated the area being so designated.

(b) Upon the request of the FAA, the using agency shall execute a letter establishing procedures for joint use of a restricted area by the using agency and the controlling agency, under which the using agency would notify the controlling agency whenever the controlling agency may grant permission for transit through the restricted area in accordance with the terms of the letter.

(c) The using agency shall—

(1) Schedule activities within the restricted area;

(2) Authorize transit through, or flight within, the restricted area as feasible; and

(3) Contain within the restricted area all activities conducted therein in accordance with the purpose for which it was designated.

§ 73.17 Controlling agency.

For the purposes of this part, the controlling agency is the FAA facility that may authorize transit through or flight within a restricted area in accordance with a joint-use letter issued under § 73.15.

§ 73.19 Reports by using agency.

(a) Each using agency must prepare a report on the use of each restricted area assigned thereto during any part of the preceding 12-month period ended September 30, and transmit it by the following January 31 of each year to the Manager, Operations Support Group in the ATO Service Center office of the Federal Aviation Administration having jurisdiction over the area in which the restricted area is located, with a copy to the Manager, Airspace Policy Group, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591.

(b) In the report under this section the using agency must:

(1) State the name and number of the restricted area as published in this part, and the period covered by the report.

(2) State the activities (including average daily number of operations if appropriate) conducted in the area, and any other pertinent information concerning current and future electronic monitoring devices.

(3) State the number of hours daily, the days of the week, and the number of weeks during the year that the area was used.

(4) For restricted areas having a joint-use designation, also state the number of hours daily, the days of the week, and the number of weeks during the year that the restricted area was released to the controlling agency for public use.

(5) State the mean sea level altitudes or flight levels (whichever is appropriate) used in aircraft operations and the maximum and average ordinate of surface firing (expressed in feet, mean sea level altitude) used on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis.

(6) Include a chart of the area (of optional scale and design) depicting, if used, aircraft operating areas, flight patterns, ordnance delivery areas, surface firing points, and target, fan, and impact areas. After once submitting an appropriate chart, subsequent annual charts are not required unless there is a change in the area, activity or altitude (or flight levels) used, which might alter the depiction of the activities originally reported. If no change is to be submitted, a statement indicating “no change” shall be included in the report.

(7) Include any other information not otherwise required under this part which is considered pertinent to activities carried on in the restricted area.

(c) If it is determined that the information submitted under paragraph (b) of this section is not sufficient to evaluate the nature and extent of the use of a restricted area, the FAA may request the using agency to submit supplementary reports. Within 60 days after receiving a request for additional information, the using agency must submit such information as the FAA Service Center Operations Support Group Manager considers appropriate. Supplementary reports must be sent to the FAA officials designated in paragraph (a) of this section.

Subpart C—Prohibited Areas

§ 73.81 Applicability.

This subpart designates prohibited areas and prescribes limitations on the operation of aircraft therein.

§ 73.83 Restrictions.

No person may operate an aircraft within a prohibited area unless authorization has been granted by the using agency.

§ 73.85 Using agency.

For the purpose of this subpart, the using agency is the agency, organization or military command that established the requirements for the prohibited area.

Source

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-73

Canonical document at the regulator. Always cite this URL — not the Vantage detail page — in compliance evidence.

Related in United States

US14 CFR14 CFR Part 67Secondary legislationIn force

Medical Standards and Certification

14 CFR Part 67 establishes medical standards and certification procedures for U.S. airmen. It prescribes eligibility requirements for first-, second-, and third-class medical certificates, including vision standards (distant and near acuity, color perception, visual fields), application procedures through designated aviation medical examiners, identity verification requirements, and access to the National Driver Register for background evaluation.

2 weeks ago
US14 CFR14 CFR Part 17Secondary legislationIn force

Procedures for Protests and Contract Disputes

14 CFR Part 17 establishes procedures for filing and resolving bid protests and contract disputes involving FAA contracts through the Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition (ODRA). The regulation applies to disputes filed after October 7, 2011, and defines key terms including contract claims, alternative dispute resolution processes, and the roles of dispute resolution officers and compensated neutrals in adjudicating FAA acquisition disputes.

2 weeks ago
US14 CFR14 CFR Part 47Secondary legislationIn force

Aircraft Registration

14 CFR Part 47 establishes FAA requirements for registering aircraft in the United States. The regulation defines eligibility criteria, including ownership by U.S. citizens, resident aliens, or certain corporations, and mandates that aircraft owners submit an Aircraft Registration Application (AC Form 8050-1). Registration is required before operating eligible aircraft unless carrying temporary authorization or operated by the Armed Forces.

2 weeks ago
US14 CFR14 CFR Part 89Secondary legislationIn force

Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft

FAA regulation establishing remote identification requirements for unmanned aircraft operations in U.S. airspace. Operators must ensure aircraft broadcast required message elements from takeoff to shutdown, either through standard remote identification equipment or alternative broadcast modules. Requirements apply to registered aircraft and foreign civil unmanned aircraft, with compliance mandatory after September 16, 2023.

2 weeks ago
US14 CFR14 CFR Part 14Secondary legislationIn force

Rules Implementing the Equal Access to Justice Act of 1980

14 CFR Part 14 implements the Equal Access to Justice Act by establishing rules for awarding attorney fees and expenses to eligible parties who prevail in adversary adjudications before the FAA. Eligible applicants include individuals with net worth under $2 million, small businesses and organizations with net worth under $7 million and fewer than 500 employees, and tax-exempt organizations. Awards are available for covered proceedings under 49 U.S.C. 46301-46303 unless the FAA's position was substantially justified or special circumstances make an award unjust.

2 weeks ago