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.

Occasionally, aircraft may intend to fly to such areas. In such cases, one may adapt typical VFR phraseology. For example:

🎧 (TF-)ISN, right turn towards Vestursvaedi, 1500ft, winds 190 degrees 19 knots, Runway 19, cleared for takeoff.

Once the aircraft is approaching a special airspace area, then one may inform 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). ATC should 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."

One should additionally 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.