AIM
4/3/14
3−4−2
Special Use Airspace
3
−
4
−
5. Military Operations Areas
a.
MOAs consist of airspace of defined vertical
and lateral limits established for the purpose of
separating certain military training activities from
IFR traffic. Whenever a MOA is being used,
nonparticipating IFR traffic may be cleared through
a MOA if IFR separation can be provided by ATC.
Otherwise, ATC will reroute or restrict nonparticipat-
ing IFR traffic.
b.
Examples of activities conducted in MOAs
include, but are not limited to: air combat tactics, air
intercepts, aerobatics, formation training, and
low−altitude tactics. Military pilots flying in an active
MOA are exempted from the provisions of 14 CFR
Section 91.303(c) and (d) which prohibits aerobatic
flight within Class D and Class E surface areas, and
within Federal airways. Additionally, the Department
of Defense has been issued an authorization to
operate aircraft at indicated airspeeds in excess of
250 knots below 10,000 feet MSL within active
MOAs.
c.
Pilots operating under VFR should exercise
extreme caution while flying within a MOA when
military activity is being conducted. The activity
status (active/inactive) of MOAs may change
frequently. Therefore, pilots should contact any FSS
within 100 miles of the area to obtain accurate
real-time information concerning the MOA hours of
operation. Prior to entering an active MOA, pilots
should contact the controlling agency for traffic
advisories.
d.
MOAs are depicted on sectional, VFR Terminal
Area, and Enroute Low Altitude charts.
3
−
4
−
6. Alert Areas
Alert areas are depicted on aeronautical charts to
inform nonparticipating pilots of areas that may
contain a high volume of pilot training or an unusual
type of aerial activity. Pilots should be particularly
alert when flying in these areas. All activity within an
alert area must be conducted in accordance with
CFRs, without waiver, and pilots of participating
aircraft as well as pilots transiting the area must be
equally responsible for collision avoidance.
3
−
4
−
7. Controlled Firing Areas
CFAs contain activities which, if not conducted in a
controlled environment, could be hazardous to
nonparticipating aircraft. The distinguishing feature
of the CFA, as compared to other special use airspace,
is that its activities are suspended immediately when
spotter aircraft, radar, or ground lookout positions
indicate an aircraft might be approaching the area.
There is no need to chart CFAs since they do not cause
a nonparticipating aircraft to change its flight path.
3
−
4
−
8. National Security Areas
National Security Areas consist of airspace of defined
vertical and lateral dimensions established at
locations where there is a requirement for increased
security and safety of ground facilities. Pilots are
requested to voluntarily avoid flying through the
depicted NSA. When it is necessary to provide a
greater level of security and safety, flight in NSAs
may be temporarily prohibited by regulation under
the provisions of 14 CFR Section 99.7. Regulatory
prohibitions will be issued by System Operations,
System Operations Airspace and AIM Office,
Airspace and Rules, and disseminated via NOTAM.
Inquiries about NSAs should be directed to Airspace
and Rules.