📘14 CFR §91.133 – Restricted and Prohibited Areas

🚩 Overview

Restricted and prohibited areas protect sensitive national security locations, military installations, and other critical areas. Pilots must be aware of their locations and comply strictly with airspace restrictions to ensure safety and security.

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✅ Key Operational Requirements

🚫 1. Prohibited Areas

• Flight operations within a prohibited area are never permitted.

• Prohibited areas protect national security locations (e.g., Camp David, White House).

⚠️ 2. Restricted Areas

• Flight operations within a restricted area are allowed only:

  • With prior authorization from the controlling agency.

  • When the restricted area is inactive (cold).

📡 3. Communications and Authorization

• Always verify the status (hot or cold) of a restricted area through:

  • NOTAMs

  • Contacting the controlling ATC facility or appropriate agency

• Obtain explicit permission from the controlling authority before entering restricted airspace.

🗺 4. Flight Planning

• Review current charts and NOTAMs thoroughly during preflight planning to identify any restricted or prohibited airspace along your route.

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🛩️ Example Scenario

You're planning a cross-country flight and notice a restricted area along your route. Before departure, check current NOTAMs and contact the controlling agency or Flight Service to determine if the restricted area is active (hot) or inactive (cold). Do not enter active restricted areas without explicit authorization. Prohibited areas must be avoided entirely.

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📌 CFI Pro Tips

• Preflight Briefing: Emphasize careful preflight planning to identify and avoid prohibited and restricted areas.

• Chart Familiarity: Teach students how to quickly recognize and interpret restricted and prohibited areas on sectional and terminal area charts.

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📚 Further Reading and Official References

• 14 CFR §91.133 (Full FAA Regulation): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-91/subpart-B/section-91.133

• FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) - Special Use Airspace: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap3_section_4.html

• FAA Airspace Guide: https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?cID=42&sID=505