FAA Private Pilot Airplane (PAR)Navigation and Flight PlanningEasy
A pilot is planning a VFR flight and observes a 'PROHIBITED AREA' marked on the sectional chart. What is the defining characteristic of a Prohibited Area?
- AAircraft flight is prohibited for national security or other reasons.
- BFlights are prohibited at certain times of the day or week.
- CFlight is prohibited unless a specific altitude restriction is observed.
- DAll aircraft are restricted to VFR flight rules only.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Aircraft flight is prohibited for national security or other reasons.
A Prohibited Area is designated airspace where flight is prohibited for national security reasons or other purposes related to the public interest. Entry into this airspace is not allowed under any circumstances without prior authorization, which is rarely granted.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This describes a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) or sometimes a Restricted Area with specific activation times, not a Prohibited Area.
- C. This describes a Restricted Area or a specific altitude restriction, not a Prohibited Area.
- D. This is incorrect; Prohibited Areas are generally 'no-fly zones' for all aircraft.
Prohibited Area
Designated airspace where flight is prohibited for national security or other public interest reasons. Entry is not permitted without specific authorization.
- Depicted on sectional charts with a 'P' followed by a number (e.g., P-40).
- Entry is strictly forbidden to all aircraft.
- Established for reasons such as national security, military installations, or sensitive government facilities.
Memory trick: MC PRAWN: Military, Controlled Firing, Prohibited, Restricted, Alert, Warning, National Security.