Restricted areas
Restricted areas contain hazards like artillery or missiles; how to check whether one is active.
A restricted area is special-use airspace within which flight, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to restrictions because invisible hazards to aircraft may exist — artillery firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles, for example. They are charted with a blue hatched boundary and an "R-" designator (e.g. R-2508 in California).
Restricted areas have active hours and altitudes listed in the chart margin and Chart Supplement, plus a controlling agency and a using agency. The key question is always: is it hot or cold?
- When active ("hot"), you must have permission from the controlling agency (usually the nearby ATC facility) to fly through. Without it, you must remain clear.
- When inactive ("cold"), the airspace reverts to the underlying class and ATC may clear you through.
You can determine status by checking NOTAMs, asking flight service, or — when on an IFR or VFR flight following — asking the controlling ATC facility directly. On an IFR clearance, ATC will route you around a hot area automatically.
Never assume a restricted area is cold just because the published "intermittent" times suggest it might be. The hazards are real and often lethal to a light aircraft. Verify, then proceed only with clearance.
*Reference and training only. Consult current charts, NOTAMs and the FAA AIM.*