Prohibited airspace
Encyclopedia
Prohibited airspace refers to an area (volume) of airspace
within which flight of aircraft is not allowed, usually due to security concerns. It is one of many types of special use airspace
designations and is depicted on aeronautical chart
s with the letter "P" followed by a serial number. It differs from Restricted airspace
in that entry is typically forbidden at all times from all aircraft and is not subject to clearance from ATC
or the airspace's controlling body.
According to the USA Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA): "Prohibited areas contain airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited. Such areas are established for security or other reasons associated with the national welfare. These areas are published in the Federal Register and are depicted on aeronautical charts."
Some prohibited airspace may be added or expanded via NOTAM
s. For example, Prohibited Area 40 (P-40) is often expanded when the President of the United States
visits Camp David
in Maryland
, while normally the airspace surrounding P-40 is restricted
, not prohibited.
Violating prohibited airspace established for national security purposes may result in military interception and/or the possibility of an attack upon the violating aircraft, as in the case of Korean Air Lines Flight 007. Aircraft violating or about to violate prohibited airspace will often be warned beforehand on 121.5
MHz, the emergency frequency for aircraft.
Airspace
Airspace means the portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country above its territory, including its territorial waters or, more generally, any specific three-dimensional portion of the atmosphere....
within which flight of aircraft is not allowed, usually due to security concerns. It is one of many types of special use airspace
Special use airspace
Special use airspace , is an area designated for operations of a nature such that limitations may be imposed on aircraft not participating in those operations. Often these operations are of a military nature...
designations and is depicted on aeronautical chart
Aeronautical chart
An aeronautical chart is a map designed to assist in navigation of aircraft, much as nautical charts do for watercraft, or a roadmap for drivers...
s with the letter "P" followed by a serial number. It differs from Restricted airspace
Restricted airspace
Restricted airspace is an area of airspace in which the local controlling authorities have determined that air traffic must be restricted for safety or security concerns...
in that entry is typically forbidden at all times from all aircraft and is not subject to clearance from ATC
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
or the airspace's controlling body.
According to the USA Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA): "Prohibited areas contain airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth within which the flight of aircraft is prohibited. Such areas are established for security or other reasons associated with the national welfare. These areas are published in the Federal Register and are depicted on aeronautical charts."
Some prohibited airspace may be added or expanded via NOTAM
NOTAM
NOTAM or NoTAM is the quasi-acronym for a "Notice To Airmen". NOTAMs are created and transmitted by government agencies and airport operators under guidelines specified by Annex 15: Aeronautical Information Services of the Convention on International Civil Aviation...
s. For example, Prohibited Area 40 (P-40) is often expanded when the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
visits Camp David
Camp David
Camp David is the country retreat of the President of the United States and his guests. It is located in low wooded hills about 60 mi north-northwest of Washington, D.C., on the property of Catoctin Mountain Park in unincorporated Frederick County, Maryland, near Thurmont, at an elevation of...
in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, while normally the airspace surrounding P-40 is restricted
Restricted airspace
Restricted airspace is an area of airspace in which the local controlling authorities have determined that air traffic must be restricted for safety or security concerns...
, not prohibited.
Violating prohibited airspace established for national security purposes may result in military interception and/or the possibility of an attack upon the violating aircraft, as in the case of Korean Air Lines Flight 007. Aircraft violating or about to violate prohibited airspace will often be warned beforehand on 121.5
Aircraft emergency frequency
The aircraft emergency frequency is a frequency used on the aircraft radio band reserved for emergency communications for aircraft in distress. The frequencies are 121.5 MHz for civilian, also known as International Air Distress and 243.0 MHz for military use, also known as Military Air...
MHz, the emergency frequency for aircraft.