Two recent additions to the list of special flight rules areas are worth studying, even if you never go near them. Thankfully, the FAA has training available.

By Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside

Airspace designations, along with what is and isn’t permissible inside specific areas, are perennial sources of frustration and confusion among pilots of even considerable experience. Once one’s understanding develops beyond the different classes and past special use airspace, there’s always the issue of how to deal with airspace in which more and different rules or procedures apply.

In recent years, special flight rules areas, SFRAs, have been created to ease the flow of traffic and prevent unsafe

The Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area, depicted at right, expands the securityrelated airspace around the nation’s capital. Compared to the old rules and procedures, the results are better organized and less intimidating.

conditions at the Grand Canyon and at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The dimensions, rules and procedures for these areas are clearly documented in various places, including FAR Part 93, the FAA’s Airport/Facility…