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Sussing SUA

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A federal mandate (Section 1085, 2021) requires the FAA and DoD to implement real-time, dynamic status displays for Special Use Airspace (SUA) to enhance safety and efficiency for pilots.
  • Achieving this is complex due to the challenge of acquiring and delivering real-time SUA activation and utilization data, which currently exists fragmented within ATC systems and is not reliably accessible to pilots via current FIS-B products.
  • The FAA is developing solutions including near-term FIS-B enhancements for accurate text status and longer-term graphical SUA displays, as well as a new Aeronautical Common Service (ACS) to feed real-time data to consumer systems via SWIM.
  • Until these improvements are fully implemented, pilots are advised to use sua.faa.gov for planning and, crucially, to contact Air Traffic Control (ATC) directly for the most current, real-time status of imminent SUAs.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Cruising along under IFR, there’s an MOA or restricted airspace ahead. On FIS-B, you pull up a page that shows its size and status: Scheduled in green, activated in yellow, red if in use. The display is as dynamic as visual TFRs that come and go.

Transparent real-time access is helpful during flight planning and while airborne. Transparency increases safety, fosters efficient traffic flow, and helps us fly shorter routes.

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