There is a whole range of sectional chart markings depicting restricted and special-use airspace, from military operations areas (MOAs) to prohibited areas, which may already be familiar to you. But there is another type of airspace that is much less common-national security areas.
These areas are established to provide increased security and safety for ground facilities. Unlike MOAs and restricted areas, they are not identified with a name or number, and they do not have specified periods of activity. A national security area should be considered active at all times. Pilots are asked to voluntarily comply with the restrictions of national security areas. When greater security is needed, flight through the areas may be temporarily prohibited. When that happens, a notice to airmen (notam) will be issued to alert pilots to the change.
The horizontal and vertical dimensions of national security areas vary depending on what the areas are intended to protect. The horizontal boundaries are depicted on sectional charts with heavy, dashed magenta lines. The vertical limits are usually included in a notice inside the security area. In this example, the national security area extends from the surface to 2,000 feet msl. That can make this particular area tricky to navigate for low-altitude VFR pilots who wish to avoid the Augusta, Georgia, Class C airspace, which extends from 1,700 to 10,000 feet in the vicinity of the security area. Pilots who wish to transit the area should obtain clearance to travel through the Class C airspace above 2,000 feet or navigate around the national security area.
