14 CFR § 187.3 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s187.3"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 187.3 - Definitions."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "187.3"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "K"
subchapter_name: "ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS"
part_number: "187"
part_name: "FEES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "31 U.S.C. 9701; 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 106(l)(6), 40104-40105, 40109, 40113-40114, 44702, 45301."
regulatory_source: "Docket 8347, 32 FR 12051, Aug. 22, 1967, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "187"
---


# 187.3 Definitions.

For the purpose of this part:

*Great circle distance* means the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the Earth.

*Overflight* means a flight through U.S.-controlled airspace that does not include a landing in or takeoff from the United States.

*Overflight through Enroute airspace* means an overflight through U.S.-controlled airspace where primarily radar-based air traffic services are provided.

*Overflight through Oceanic airspace* means an overflight through U.S.-controlled airspace where primarily procedural air traffic services are provided.

*U.S.-controlled airspace* means all airspace over the territory of the United States, extending 12 nautical miles from the coastline of U.S. territory; any airspace delegated to the United States for U.S. control by other countries or under a regional air navigation agreement; or any international airspace, or airspace of undetermined sovereignty, for which the United States has accepted responsibility for providing air traffic control services.

[Docket FAA-2015-3597, Amdt. 187-36, 81 FR 85853, Nov. 29, 2016]