Chapter 28. National Security Areas

Section 1. General

28-1-1. DEFINITION

A National Security Area (NSA) consists of airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security of ground facilities.

28-1-2. PURPOSE

An NSA is established to identify locations where voluntary flight avoidance is requested.

28-1-3. CRITERIA

An NSA may be considered when a need to request flight avoidance of national assets or an area in the interest of national security is identified. When it is necessary to provide a greater level of security, flight in an NSA may be temporarily prohibited pursuant to the provisions of 14 CFR 99.7, Special Security Instructions. Where there is a need to restrict flight operations in an NSA, the required restriction will be issued by FAA Headquarters, System Operations Security, and disseminated via NOTAM.

28-1-4. DIMENSIONS

There are no standard dimensions for an NSA. The dimensions should be the minimum necessary to promote the protection of the area identified.

28-1-5. CHARTING

NSAs are depicted on aeronautical charts to inform pilots regarding their vertical and lateral dimensions. Additionally, a note must be included for publication on the chart adjacent to the NSA stating the requested avoidance altitude.

28-1-6. REVOCATION

An NSA does not expire. However, it may be revoked upon using agency request or at the discretion of the Rules and Regulations Group, AJV-P2, after consultation with the Service Center OSG.