In aviation, Special Use Airspace (SUA) refers to airspace designated for specific activities that may pose risks to civilian aircraft or involve military operations, requiring pilots to proceed with caution—or avoid them entirely.
The SUA acronym is formal, but each type of SUA has its own three-letter acronym and specific rules. Understanding these acronyms is critical for safe flight planning and compliance with airspace regulations.
Whether you’re reviewing sectional charts or prepping for an FAA exam, this guide breaks down the 30 most common SUAs and related airspace acronyms, with simple explanations and practical examples.
📘 What is Special Use Airspace?
Special Use Airspace (SUA) includes areas where military training, weapons testing, or other hazardous activities occur, requiring restricted or controlled access. The main types of SUA include:
- Restricted Areas
- Prohibited Areas
- Warning Areas
- Alert Areas
- Military Operations Areas (MOAs)
- Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs)
These zones are marked on VFR sectional charts and have specific rules and acronyms associated with them.
🛫 30 Special Use Airspace Acronyms & What They Mean
1. SUA – Special Use Airspace
Use: General term for restricted or military-related airspace.
Example: Pilots must review all SUA before a cross-country flight.
When to use: Any airspace that fits under the “special” category.
2. MOA – Military Operations Area
Meaning: Military training airspace where IFR traffic may be rerouted.
Example: Civilian flights may enter MOAs with caution when active.
When to use: To describe non-restricted military activity zones.
3. RA – Restricted Area
Meaning: Airspace with specific entry restrictions, usually military or weapons testing.
Example: Entering a RA without clearance can be dangerous—and illegal.
When to use: When referring to hazardous or national security airspace.
4. PA – Prohibited Area
Meaning: Strictly off-limits airspace—no civilian aircraft allowed.
Example: Washington D.C. is protected by multiple Prohibited Areas.
When to use: National security or protected zones.
5. WA – Warning Area
Meaning: Offshore airspace with potential hazards (e.g., military activity).
Example: Pilots flying near a WA should remain alert to fast jets.
When to use: Oceanic zones not under U.S. sovereignty.
6. AA – Alert Area
Meaning: Areas with high pilot training or unusual activity.
Example: Expect lots of maneuvering aircraft in an AA.
When to use: For civilian training hotspots.
7. CFA – Controlled Firing Area
Meaning: Hazardous activity occurs here but is suspended if aircraft enter.
Example: Pilots usually won’t see CFAs marked on charts.
When to use: Hidden hazards—low-risk but real.
8. ADIZ – Air Defense Identification Zone
Meaning: Border zone where aircraft must identify before entry.
Example: Entering an ADIZ without filing is a serious violation.
When to use: For border defense and security.
9. TFR – Temporary Flight Restriction
Meaning: Short-term restricted areas (e.g., wildfires, VIP movement).
Example: A TFR was issued during the President’s visit.
When to use: Temporary hazard or security events.
10. NSA – National Security Area
Meaning: Sensitive areas where pilots are requested to avoid flying.
Example: Avoid flying over NSAs unless necessary.
When to use: Not enforced, but strongly recommended.
11. ATCAA – ATC Assigned Airspace
Meaning: High-altitude military airspace above FL180.
Example: Used in coordination with MOAs for high-altitude ops.
When to use: IFR operations and high-level military maneuvers.
12. TRSA – Terminal Radar Service Area
Meaning: Voluntary radar service near busy airports.
Example: Participation in a TRSA improves safety but isn’t mandatory.
When to use: Controlled areas that are not Class C airspace.
13. ALTRV – Altitude Reservation
Meaning: Reserved altitudes for military/civilian use.
Example: ALTRVs are coordinated for nonstandard operations.
When to use: Pre-coordinated altitude block.
14. MTR – Military Training Route
Meaning: Low-level routes for high-speed military flights.
Example: Avoid flying near MTRs at low altitudes.
When to use: Identifies fast, low-flying military ops.
15. IR – Instrument Route (MTR)
Meaning: Military route flown under IFR.
Example: IR1202 is an IFR-based MTR route.
When to use: For weather- or equipment-based training.
16. VR – Visual Route (MTR)
Meaning: VFR-based low-level military training route.
Example: Pilots on VR routes fly visually below 1,500 ft AGL.
When to use: Clear weather military maneuvers.
17. CARF – Central Altitude Reservation Function
Meaning: Manages altitude use for special ops.
Example: Contact CARF when requesting a military ALTRV.
When to use: High-level FAA military coordination.
18. ATCAA – ATC Assigned Airspace
Meaning: Airspace assigned to military above MOAs, typically FL180+.
Example: An MOA may include an ATCAA at higher levels.
When to use: For controlled military ops above Class A.
19. FRZ – Flight Restricted Zone
Meaning: Most restricted inner ring around DC.
Example: The FRZ requires special clearance to enter.
When to use: Absolute security enforcement.
20. SFRA – Special Flight Rules Area
Meaning: DC region airspace requiring special procedures.
Example: Pilots need training before flying into the SFRA.
When to use: Security-sensitive regions.
21. ROA – Restricted Operations Area
Meaning: Equivalent to RA, mostly used in international contexts.
Example: The ROA was active due to military testing.
When to use: Non-U.S. terminology.
22. NSA – National Security Area
(Repeated intentionally for emphasis.)
Use when: Describing sensitive locations—like nuclear plants or intel centers.
23. FRA – Flexible Use of Airspace (Europe)
Meaning: Airspace that can change dynamically.
Example: The FRA allows for more efficient route planning.
When to use: Eurocontrol and ICAO contexts.
24. CSA – Civil Special Use Airspace
Meaning: SUAs not military-related (e.g., NASA, drones).
Example: CSA areas are designated for civil research.
When to use: Non-military but restricted ops.
25. PRA – Parachute Jump Area
Meaning: Airspace designated for skydiving.
Example: Always check NOTAMs for active PRA zones.
When to use: Jump zones or recreational airspace.
26. UAS – Unmanned Aircraft System Zone
Meaning: Drone-specific restricted or managed airspace.
Example: UAS operations must stay within the defined zone.
When to use: Civilian or military drone activities.
27. FA – Firing Area
Meaning: Zone where artillery or weapons testing occurs.
Example: FAs are often found on military training ranges.
When to use: Ammunition testing or combat training.
28. SFR – Special Flight Rules
Meaning: Unique operating rules for specific areas.
Example: The LA corridor has SFR for VFR traffic.
When to use: For areas that don’t fit normal rules.
29. NSFR – National Security Flight Restriction
Meaning: Temporary national security restrictions.
Example: An NSFR was enacted during the UN summit.
When to use: VIP or event-based airspace protection.
30. DCSA – Defense Controlled Special Area
Meaning: Defense-managed zone for security.
Example: DCSA regulations are found in military NOTAMs.
When to use: For secure, high-level military coordination.
📍 How to Choose the Right SUA Acronym
Each acronym serves a specific legal, operational, or safety purpose. Here’s a quick guide:
| Context | Use This |
| Military training | MOA, MTR, IR/VR, ATCAA |
| National security | PA, NSA, SFRA, FRZ |
| Hazards or weapons | RA, WA, CFA |
| Civilian/research | CSA, UAS, PRA |
| Temporary situations | TFR, NSFR |
Use chart symbology, NOTAMs, and FAA publications to determine current activity.
🧭 Conclusion
Understanding Special Use Airspace acronyms is more than passing a test—it’s about navigating safely, legally, and smartly. Whether you’re a student pilot or a flight planner, knowing the difference between a MOA and a TFR could be the key to avoiding a major mistake.
Study the acronyms. Learn their symbols. And always check for activity before you fly.