Restricted and prohibited areas

This regulation governs flight operations in restricted and prohibited areas, which are special use airspace designated in 14 CFR Part 73.

You cannot fly in a prohibited area at all, and you cannot fly in a restricted area contrary to its restrictions—unless you obtain permission from the controlling or using agency (typically military authorities). These areas exist to protect sensitive operations like military training, weapons testing, or other hazardous activities.

If you're conducting an approved operation *within* a restricted area that creates the same hazards the area was designed for (for example, you're the military unit conducting the gunnery practice), you may deviate from certain flight rules that would be incompatible with your operation.

In practice, most pilots simply avoid these areas entirely. Check sectional charts and NOTAMs for their locations and active times. Contact the controlling agency if you need access for legitimate reasons.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*