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Special Use Airspace (SUA)
Airspace of defined dimensions where activities must be confined or where limitations are imposed on aircraft not participating in those activities. Types include prohibited, restricted, warning, military operations (MOA), alert, and controlled firing areas; status is often verified via NOTAMs and charts.
Related Terms
- StallAn aerodynamic condition where the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack and can no longer produce sufficient lift to sustain flight. A stall can occur at any airspeed, in any attitude, and at any power setting — it is always caused by exceeding the critical angle of attack.
- Standard BriefingA complete Flight Service weather briefing requested within about six hours of departure when the pilot has not already received a full briefing. It is the detailed package used to evaluate route weather, hazards, winds, and operational information before a go/no-go decision.
- Supplemental OxygenOxygen provided to crew or passengers to prevent hypoxia at altitude. For unpressurized Part 91 flights under 14 CFR 91.211, required minimum flight crew must use oxygen after more than 30 minutes above 12,500 feet cabin altitude, continuously above 14,000 feet, and every occupant must be provided oxygen above 15,000 feet. FAA guidance also encourages earlier use, especially at night.
- TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast)A weather forecast in coded format issued for airports, covering a 24 or 30 hour period. TAFs predict wind, visibility, cloud cover, and significant weather changes. Pilots use TAFs alongside METARs for flight planning decisions.