Special use airspace includes which categories?

• A. Prohibited, restricted, warning, military operations, and alert areas
• B. Controlled, uncontrolled, advisory
• C. Class A airspace
• D. Open airspace

Answer: (A)

Special use airspace covers areas where activities could be hazardous to nonparticipating pilots and therefore require special procedures or permissions. The category names listed—Prohibited areas, Restricted areas, Warning areas, Military Operations Areas, and Alert Areas—are the standard types of this airspace.

Prohibited areas are off-limits to all aircraft. Restricted areas permit entry only with authorization or under specific conditions, because activities may be hazardous. Warning areas are similar to restricted zones but extend over international waters and can present hazards to navigation without ATC control. Military Operations Areas exist to separate nonmilitary air traffic from training activities; you may encounter them with or without active military operations, so pilots monitor and adjust as needed. Alert Areas indicate high volumes of pilot training or unusual operations where extra caution is advised.

Other terms you might hear refer to different concepts in airspace structure (like general classifications or open airspace), but they aren’t parts of the special use airspace framework.