JO 7110.65 Air Traffic ControlJO 7110.65BB · Change 3 · Effective 7/9/2026
Chapter 9 · Section 3
Special Use, ATC-Assigned Airspace, and Stationary ALTRVs
4 Paragraphs9-3-1–9-3-4
9-3-1 APPLICATION
Apply the procedures in this section to aircraft operating in proximity to special use, ATC-assigned airspace (ATCAA), and stationary ALTRVs unless the airspace is designated an alert area/controlled firing area or one of the following conditions exist:
NOTE
These procedures are not applicable to Alert Areas or Controlled Firing Areas.
REFERENCE
P/CG Term - Special Use Airspace.
The pilot informs you that permission has been obtained from the using agency to operate in the airspace.
The using agency informs you they have given permission for the aircraft to operate in the airspace.
NOTE
Using agency permission may be relayed to the pilot.
The restricted/warning area, MOA, ATCAA, or stationary ALTRV has been released to the controlling agency.
The aircraft is on an approved ALTRV, unless the airspace area in question is an ATCAA.
NOTE
Mission project officers are responsible for obtaining approval for ALTRV operations within prohibited/ restricted/warning areas, MOAs, and stationary ALTRVs.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 9-3-4, Transiting Active SUA/ATCAA.
Operations in special use airspace and stationary ALTRVs located in offshore/oceanic airspace will be conducted in accordance with the procedures in Chapter 8, Offshore/Oceanic Procedures.
9-3-2 SEPARATION MINIMA
Unless clearance of nonparticipating aircraft in/through/adjacent to a prohibited/restricted/warning area/MOA/ATCAA/stationary ALTRV is provided for in a letter of agreement (LOA) or letter of procedure (LOP), separate nonparticipating aircraft from active special use airspace, ATCAAs, and stationary ALTRVs by the following minima:
NOTE
Nonparticipating aircraft refers to those aircraft for which you have separation responsibility and which have not been authorized by the using agency to operate in/through the special use airspace, ATCAA, or stationary ALTRV. VFR traffic is not prohibited from transiting stationary ALTRVs or transitional hazard areas (THA).
Assign an altitude consistent with paragraph 4-5-2, Flight Direction, and 4-5-3, Exceptions, which is at least 500 feet (above FL 290-1000 feet) above/below the upper/lower limit of the prohibited/ restricted/warning area/MOA/ATCAA/stationary ALTRV.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 2-1-18, Prohibited/Restricted Areas and Stationary ALTRVs.
Provide radar separation of 3 miles (FL 600 and above - 6 miles) from the special use airspace, ATCAA, or stationary ALTRV peripheral boundary. EXCEPTIONS:
Some prohibited/restricted/warning areas are established for security reasons or to contain hazardous activities and do not require radar separation of 3 miles (FL 600 and above – 6 miles) from the special use airspace. Where facility management has identified these areas as outlined in FAA Order JO 7210.3, Facility Operation and Administration, vector aircraft to remain clear of the peripheral boundary.
For stationary ALTRVs issued for the purpose of space launch or reentry operations, ensure aircraft remain clear of the peripheral boundary.
Clear aircraft on airways or routes whose widths or protected airspace do not overlap the peripheral boundary.
For stationary ALTRVs and temporary flight restrictions (TFR) issued for the purpose of space launch or reentry operations to protect aircraft hazard areas (AHA):
Do not allow nonparticipating aircraft to operate in an AHA unless real‐time notifications of the actual start of activity and end of activity of the AHA is provided to affected facilities via ATO Space Operations coordination.
Do not provide ATC services to aircraft at airports that lie within an AHA unless real-time notifications of the actual start of activity and end of activity of the AHA is provided to affected facilities via ATO Space Operations coordination.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 20-7-4, Airports within Aircraft Hazard Areas and Transitional Hazard Areas.
For NOTAMs issued for the purpose of space launch or reentry operations to protect THAs:
Aircraft may enter provided they are not holding, loitering, or hovering, and are cleared on:
Routing approved by ATO Space Operations that has an angular difference of 30 through 150 degrees from the launch/reentry course, or
Crossing courses that have an angular difference of 45 through 135 degrees from the launch/reentry course.
NOTE
The intent is to provide a crossing angle that accounts for the effects of wind.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 1-2-2, Course Definitions.
Do not provide ATC services to aircraft at airports that lie within a THA unless real-time notifications of the actual start of activity and end of activity of the THA is provided to affected facilities via ATO Space Operations coordination.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 20-7-4, Airports within Aircraft Hazard Areas and Transitional Hazard Areas.
9-3-3 VFR‐ON‐TOP
If the aircraft's route, track, or altitude may cause it to enter an active Prohibited/Restricted/Warning Area, MOA, or ATCAA:
Inform the pilot to conduct flight “VFR-on-top” at least 500 feet above the upper limit or below the lower limit of the airspace (subject to paragraph 7-3-1, VFR-on-top); or
PHRASEOLOGY
MAINTAIN VFR‐ON‐TOP AT LEAST 500 FEET ABOVE/BELOW (upper/lower limit of airspace) ACROSS (name or number of airspace) BETWEEN (fix) AND (fix); and if the airspace is an ATCAA, (name of ATCAA) IS ATC ASSIGNED AIRSPACE.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 7-1-1, Class A Airspace Restrictions.
Clear the aircraft via a routing which provides approved separation from the airspace.
Exception: Some Prohibited/Restricted Areas are established for security reasons or to contain hazardous activities not involving aircraft operations. The addition of 500 (or 1,000) feet to the upper/lower limit of these Prohibited/Restricted Areas is not required if the areas have been identified by facility management.
REFERENCE
FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 2-1-18, Prohibited/Restricted Areas.
9-3-4 TRANSITING ACTIVE SUA/ATCAA
If a LOA/LOP has been coordinated with the Using Agency and permission has been granted to transit the area:
Comply with the instruction/clearances issued by the Using Agency and provide the applicable separation minima between aircraft when two or more aircraft are transiting the area; or
NOTE
Some Using Agencies are also air traffic control facilities.
If unable to comply with instructions/clearances, clear the aircraft in accordance with paragraph 9-3-2, Separation Minima.
NOTE
The FAA has no jurisdictional authority over the use of nonjoint use prohibited/restricted/warning area airspace; therefore, clearance cannot be issued for flight therein without the appropriate approval.