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Special use airspace and military routes for drone pilots

Last updated 2026-11-12 · Published by Certloom Learning · Sources

Restricted and prohibited areas bar a Part 107 flight unless you have permission from the using or controlling agency (14 CFR 107.45). Military operations areas and alert areas do not themselves require ATC authorization for a drone, but they warn you that fast or student traffic may be nearby.

What types of special use airspace are on a sectional?

TypeMeaningPart 107 effect
Prohibited (P)Flight not allowedNo operation
Restricted (R)Hazardous activities such as artillery or missile testingPermission from the using or controlling agency required (107.45)
Warning (W)Hazardous activities over international watersTypically beyond 3 NM offshore; check the chart
MOAMilitary training with fast aircraftNo drone authorization requirement, but be alert; the MOA floor is printed on the chart
Alert areaHigh volume of pilot training or unusual aviation activityNo authorization, extra vigilance
Military training routeVR or IR numbered routes; four digits means no segment above 1,500 ft AGLFast jets may pass low over your site

Sources (checked 2026-11-12): FAA Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide; 14 CFR 107.45 (eCFR); FAA Aeronautical Information Manual.

How are special use airspace times shown?

Times of use and the controlling agency are printed in the chart margin or the special use airspace tables. A restricted area that is active only at certain times may still need agency permission, so find the contact information before planning.

What about national wildlife refuges and parks?

Pilots of manned aircraft are requested to keep at least 2,000 ft above the surface over charted wildlife refuges, parks and wilderness areas. A drone limited to 400 ft AGL cannot meet that request, so check the land manager's rules.

Where do I practice?

The free chart lessons include restricted area, MOA and alert area cues on Figures 20, 26 and 69.

Free practice questions on this topic

9 original questions from the Sectional Cue bank. Try each one, then open the answer.

SUA times of use
1. Where on a sectional chart can a pilot find the altitudes, hours of use and controlling agency for restricted areas and MOAs shown on that chart?

  1. In the airport data block of the nearest towered airport
  2. In the special use airspace table printed on the chart
  3. Inside each boundary, beside the area's name
Show answer and explanation

B. In the special use airspace table printed on the chart

Sectional charts carry a special use airspace table that lists each area's altitudes, times of use and controlling agency. Airport data blocks show airport information, not special use airspace details. The label inside the boundary gives the area's identifier, while the operating details are in the table.

Source: FAA Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide (July 2026)

Military training routes
2. A remote pilot sees a route labeled VR1257 crossing a planned survey area. What does VR1257 tell the pilot?

  1. It is flown under VFR, and no segment is above 1,500 ft AGL
  2. It is flown under IFR, and at least one segment is above 1,500 ft AGL
  3. It is a Victor airway for civil traffic
Show answer and explanation

A. It is flown under VFR, and no segment is above 1,500 ft AGL

VR means the route is flown under VFR, and a four-digit number means no segment is above 1,500 ft AGL, so fast military jets may pass low over the site. IR routes are flown under IFR, and a route with a segment above 1,500 ft AGL has a three-digit number. Victor airways are labeled with a V and a number, such as V25.

Source: AIM 3-5-2

Wildlife refuges
3. What minimum altitude are pilots requested to maintain over charted national wildlife refuges, parks and wilderness areas?

  1. 1,000 ft AGL
  2. 500 ft AGL
  3. 2,000 ft AGL
Show answer and explanation

C. 2,000 ft AGL

Pilots are requested to keep at least 2,000 ft above the surface over charted wildlife refuges, parks and wilderness areas to reduce noise and disturbance. The 1,000 ft and 500 ft figures are not the requested minimum for these areas. A drone held to 400 ft AGL cannot meet this request, so remote pilots should check the land manager's rules and avoid disturbing wildlife.

Source: AIM Chapter 7, Section 4 (flights over charted wildlife refuges, parks and forest service areas); AC 91-36D

Restricted area
4. In Figure 20, a remote pilot wants to photograph the shoreline inside R-5302B on the Albemarle Sound. What must be obtained before entering it? (uses Figure 20, open the free chart lesson)

  1. Nothing, as long as the drone stays below 400 ft AGL
  2. An ATC authorization through LAANC
  3. Permission from the using or controlling agency
Show answer and explanation

C. Permission from the using or controlling agency

R-5302B is a restricted area, shown by blue hatched lines. Under 14 CFR 107.45 a small UA may not operate in a restricted area without permission from the using or controlling agency. Staying below 400 ft AGL does not exempt the flight, and LAANC handles controlled airspace near airports, not entry to restricted areas.

Source: FAA-CT-8080-2H, Figure 20; 14 CFR 107.45

Restricted area
5. In Figure 26, area 1 lies inside the blue hatched boundary of Restricted Area R-5403. What does a remote pilot need before flying there? (uses Figure 26, open the free chart lesson)

  1. Only a check that the Devils Lake East MOA is not active
  2. A LAANC authorization from the nearest control tower
  3. Permission from the using or controlling agency
Show answer and explanation

C. Permission from the using or controlling agency

Part 107 forbids operating in a restricted area without permission from the using or controlling agency. Checking MOA status does not cover a restricted area, which carries hazards such as firing or military testing. LAANC grants access to controlled airspace near airports; it is not permission to enter restricted airspace.

Source: FAA-CT-8080-2H, Figure 26; 14 CFR 107.45

Special use airspace information
6. In Figure 26, a remote pilot wants to learn whether R-5402 and R-5403 are active. What does the chart itself suggest? (uses Figure 26, open the free chart lesson)

  1. Call 1-800-972-8824, as printed in the box near New Rockford
  2. Call Jamestown tower on 118.425
  3. Monitor Tomlinson CTAF 122.9 for activation calls
Show answer and explanation

A. Call 1-800-972-8824, as printed in the box near New Rockford

The boxed note near New Rockford says for information on R-5402 and R-5403 call 1-800-972-8824. Jamestown has no control tower, and 118.425 is its ASOS weather broadcast. A CTAF at a small airport is not where restricted area status is published.

Source: FAA-CT-8080-2H, Figure 26; Chart Users' Guide; 14 CFR 107.45

Military Operations Area
7. In Figure 26, the magenta label DEVILS LAKE EAST MOA marks a Military Operations Area. What does a remote pilot need to fly inside it? (uses Figure 26, open the free chart lesson)

  1. Permission from the controlling agency, the same as for a restricted area
  2. No permission is required, but the pilot should check whether it is active and watch for military aircraft
  3. A LAANC authorization, because a MOA is controlled airspace
Show answer and explanation

B. No permission is required, but the pilot should check whether it is active and watch for military aircraft

A MOA separates military training from IFR traffic, and VFR pilots, including remote pilots, may operate in it without permission. Checking whether it is active and keeping a sharp lookout is the prudent step. Permission is needed only for restricted and prohibited areas, and a MOA is not a class of controlled airspace that needs LAANC.

Source: FAA-CT-8080-2H, Figure 26; AIM 3-4-5; 14 CFR 107.37

Alert area
8. In Figure 69, area 6 lies inside Alert Area A-632C, labeled CONCENTRATED STUDENT JET TRAINING. What does a remote pilot need to fly there? (uses Figure 69, open the free chart lesson)

  1. No permission, but extra vigilance, because many training jets may be operating and the drone must yield
  2. Permission from the using agency, as for a restricted area
  3. A rule-based limit of 200 ft AGL for all drones inside the alert area
Show answer and explanation

A. No permission, but extra vigilance, because many training jets may be operating and the drone must yield

An alert area warns of a high volume of pilot training or unusual activity, but no permission is needed to enter it. The remote pilot must see and avoid and give way to manned aircraft. Permission is required only for restricted and prohibited areas, and no regulation sets a 200 ft limit in alert areas.

Source: FAA-CT-8080-2H, Figure 69; AIM 3-4-6; 14 CFR 107.37

Military training route
9. In Figure 26, the label IR678 appears west of Sutton. What is it? (uses Figure 26, open the free chart lesson)

  1. An instrument military training route with at least one segment above 1,500 ft AGL
  2. A visual military training route flown only at or below 1,500 ft AGL
  3. A restricted corridor that needs permission from the using agency
Show answer and explanation

A. An instrument military training route with at least one segment above 1,500 ft AGL

IR means an instrument (IFR) military training route, and a three-digit number means at least one segment is above 1,500 ft AGL. Routes with four-digit numbers are flown at or below 1,500 ft AGL, so the first distractor describes a different route type. MTRs are not restricted areas, but fast low jets may use them, so remote pilots should keep watch.

Source: FAA-CT-8080-2H, Figure 26; Chart Users' Guide; 14 CFR 107.37

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Sources

How this page was made: written by Certloom Learning from the sources above, with the rules checked against the current regulation text. Practice items are original questions from the app's reviewed bank. Spot an error? certloomlearning@gmail.com.