How many miles must aircraft operations be separated from SUA and ATCAA below FL600?

Aircraft operations must be separated from Special Use Airspace (SUA) and Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA) below Flight Level 600 by a minimum of 3 miles. This distance is established to ensure safe operations around these designated airspaces, which may contain military operations or other special activities that could pose risks to civilian aircraft. Maintaining this separation provides a buffer zone to mitigate the potential for conflicts and enhance overall safety for all air traffic.

The requirement for a 3-mile separation is grounded in regulatory guidelines designed for effective traffic management and safety, recognizing that aircraft can maneuver differently and may not always be visible on radar. It allows air traffic controllers to adequately manage airspace usage while considering the dynamic nature of airborne operations within and surrounding these special airspaces.