Special Airspace

There are several special airspace areas in Iceland, including recreational, training, prohibited, and restricted areas. In general, most are uncontrolled, but some are near or underly controlled airspace.

For aircraft flying to such areas, one may adapt typical VFR phraseology as needed. For example:

🎧 (TF-)ISN, right turn towards Austursvaedi, 1500ft, winds 170 degrees 8 knots, Runway 19, cleared for takeoff.

Some regions require ATC approval to enter. In such cases, provided there is no reason the aircraft may not enter that airspace, TWR may tell aircraft they are “cleared to enter [NAME OF AREA]”

Once the aircraft is approaching a special airspace area, then one should:

• Tell them “frequency change approved.” This means they should monitor UNICOM, as well as maintain listening watch on any other frequencies as required by some restricted areas
• Add appropriate text to the ATIS as required by local operating procedures to indicate that traffic is active in that area. E.g., "GLIDERS OPERATING AT SANDSKEID."
• Coordinate with relevant neighboring ATC (e.g., TWR with APP) to notify them of traffic known to be in certain areas.

See the Iceland AIP, ENR 5 (particularly 5.1 and 5.2) for information regarding such areas.