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Re. the F-16s in the posted video, I would bet they had you and were just doing what F-16 pilots do - intercepting targets.
As for flying through MOAs, I'll do it all day long if I have good visibility. Active or not. I wasn't a military aviator (didn't have 20-20 uncorrected - presumably necessary for seeing other aircraft), but I'm not sure it's realistic to assume that one will be guaranteed clear airspace if and when they're deployed. So keeping one eye outside can't be a bad feature of training. |
It is such a simple call to the controlling entity to get a squawk code. I have never been "denied", put off, or redirected. Occasionally, they will ask me to maintain a given altitude, or avoid certain ones, or advise if there is a specific training going on along my intended route. The MOA's I usually travel through are in very remote areas so I find comfort in knowing that I have someone on the radio if needed.
Now, that in itself does not guarantee anything, but why not. If I can flight plan conveniently around them, I do so, and it shouldn't surprise anyone that some thought was put into where these are located. There is usually an almost direct route to be found around them. I am sure it is a different story in areas that have a high density of MOA's overlaying their airspaces. |
Pennsacola regional is surrounded by very active MOA's. I once asked a departure controller if he called targets to departing airliners. He said he just called "multiple targets next 5 miles" to the airliners and they were pretty much on their own (see and avoid).
Thank God for the big sky, little airplanes phenomena. |
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I can tell you from experience as a military pilot that looking out for VFR traffic in a MOA is more towards the bottom of our list of things we are concentrating on while flying our busy profiles. And knocking off maneuvers for some bloke flying fat dumb and happy right through the middle because he thinks it's fun causes us to stop what we're doing and it wastes precious time and gas. Some guys may intercept you because they think it's fun and they want to show off. Others may do it out of annoyance as if to say "**** off, dude". It is completely within your rights to fly VFR through a MOA; but it doesn't necessarily mean it's always a good idea.;) Edit: Definitely not a personal attack on you; just wanted to say, be careful out there! |
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Knowing this, I avoid any active MOA and even add a buffer area around them. Although I would be right to fly through an active MOA, I could wind up being dead right. :cool: |
While we are talking about avoiding traffic in MOAs I can not but notice that most near misses happened outside of special use airspace. Military aircraft are a lesser problem since they are small in number. Watch out for all airplanes (and birds). Following is the link to the "See and Avoid" website. You can find the status of SUA and near miss sites.
http://www.seeandavoid.org/ In order to keep myself safe I installed ADS-B in/out. It gives me better chance to see other traffic. In our practice area it is not uncommon to see many airplanes doing flight training, aerobatic, and formation practice in a small area. Of course not all airplanes and no birds show up on ADS-B. Keep vigilant with constant visual scan is a must. I do have a few questions concerning SUA: a. Does military airplanes flying in MOA show up on ATC radar thus displayed on ADS-B? b. How do you obtain controlling agency frequency of a SUA? Foreflight and chart list only the controlling agency name. If there is a airport nearby with instrument approaches, the approach control frequency is on the approach plate. We can not always avoid going through MOAs (sometimes we even operate at an airport inside a MOA). We need to use whatever tools to keep us safe. |
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If we're going to say all GA planes avoid MOAs - in order to save fuel because one of the citizens of the country decided exercise their rights and fly though the airspace - then let's change the rules, and I'll gladly comply. Until then, sounds like we both need to keep our eyes open. And as for those annoyed mil pilots saying "**** off, dude", you better remember why you're flying that mission. It's so we can be free to fly these planes though MOAs. Think about it. |
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Most pilots aren't flying a "mission" in a MOA. They are training so that the can safely execute a mission when required. It's a mandatory part of their training. They are suppose to stop whatever they are doing once they aware of a GA aircraft in the MOA for safety reasons. At least in UPT, they only get two three flights a week. If they have to knock things off due to a GA aircraft flying in an active MOA, they usually have to fly back to base and repeat that training another day putting them behind schedule. Sometimes there is no way around flying through a MOA. In many cases, it doesn't cause a significant delay to fly around a MOA. Or at least coordinate with the after controlling organization. So think about that fresh LT that is struggling to learn a new airframe or their weapon systems, with very limited flying time due sequestration budget cuts, so that they can be well prepared to fly any mission to protect our rights. Would you prefer them to be proficient at their mission or would you rather save a few minutes of flight time? So while it may be completely legal to fly through the MOA, think about the cause and effect. It's not some military pilot hot rodding in his fighter, it's a pilot that is training so they can put their life on the line for us. I would suggest that it's probably best for all to stay out of their way when training. My apologies to those that I may have offended by climbing up on this soap box. |
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