Chapter 23. Restricted Areas
Section 1. General
23-1-1. DEFINITION
A restricted area is airspace
established under 14 CFR part 73 provisions, within
which the flight of aircraft, while not wholly
prohibited, is subject to restriction.
23-1-2. PURPOSE
Restricted areas are established
when determined necessary to confine or segregate
activities considered hazardous to nonparticipating
aircraft.
23-1-3. IDENTIFICATION
Identify restricted areas with
the letter “R" prefix followed by a dash, a
four-digit number, a location, and the two-letter
state abbreviation (e.g., R-2309, Yuma, AZ). A
letter suffix is used to indicate area subdivisions.
Airspace Regulations and ATC Procedures Group
assigns identification numbers.
23-1-4. RESTRICTED AREA FLOOR
a. The restricted area
floor may be established to the surface only when
the using agency owns, leases, or by agreement,
controls the underlying surface.
NOTE-
Existing restricted areas established from the
surface before December 1, 1967, are exempt from the
“own, lease, or control" requirement. This remains
valid until amendment action is taken which would
expand the boundaries, altitudes, or times of use,
or changes the designated purpose of the area.
Nevertheless, using agencies of such restricted
areas are encouraged to acquire sufficient control
of the property to prevent possible disruption of
that agency's activities.
b. Provisions must be made
for aerial access to private and public use land
beneath the restricted area, and to accommodate
instrument arrivals/departures at affected airports
with minimum delay.
c. The restricted area
must exclude the airspace 1,500 feet AGL and below
within a 3 NM radius of airports available for
public use. This exclusion may be increased if
necessary based on unique circumstances.
23-1-5. JOINT
USE
a. Restricted areas are
established for joint use by assigning an ATC
facility as the controlling agency, and by executing
a joint use letter of procedure between the
controlling and using agencies. The letter of
procedure provides for the operation of
nonparticipating IFR and/or VFR aircraft within the
area. Flight within the restricted area is
controlled by the using agency except when the area
has been released to the controlling agency. During
such periods, the controlling agency may permit
nonparticipating aircraft operations in the
restricted area.
b. Prepare letters of
procedure in accordance with FAAO JO 7210.3,
Facility Operation and Administration. The format of
the letter may be modified as needed based on local
requirements. The joint-use letter must include
procedures for the timely activation, release, or
recall of the airspace. The letter may also specify
conditions and procedures whereby the controlling
agency may route traffic through the area while in
use, if approved separation can be maintained
between nonparticipating aircraft and the user's
activities.
c. The service area office
must be the approval authority for joint-use letters
of procedure. This authority may be delegated to a
FAA ATC facility designated as the controlling
agency.
d. Requirements for
coordination and communications between the
controlling and using agencies concerning the
activation and release of joint-use restricted areas
must be outlined in the letter of procedure. A
record must be made of all such communications.
These records must be retained in accordance with
FAAO JO 7210.3, Facility Operation and
Administration.
23-1-6. TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREAS
a. Temporary restricted
areas may be designated when necessary to
accommodate hazardous activities associated with
military exercises, test programs, etc.
b. Proponents must be
encouraged to seek permission from using agencies to
conduct their activities within existing permanent
restricted areas before submitting a request for
designation of a temporary restricted area.
c. The duration of a
temporary restricted area must be specified in the
NPRM/Final Rule.
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