Ask a CFI: Can a pilot fly through a MOA?

If operating under visual flight rules (VFR), yes, a pilot may fly through a military operations area (MOA) without receiving a clearance or communicating with ATC; however, it’s important to understand the risks and activities present within an active MOA. If operating under instrument flight rules (IFR), you likely will be routed around an active MOA, but not necessarily. In effect, MOAs are always joint use in that VFR aircraft are permitted, and IFR aircraft may be routed through the airspace by agreement between controlling and using agencies.

What is an MOA?

A military operations area (MOA) is airspace established below 18,000′ MSL to separate non-hazardous military flight activities (air combat maneuvers, air intercepts, low altitude tactics, etc.) from IFR aircraft and to identify for VFR aircraft where these activities are being conducted. For IFR traffic, procedures are established to accommodate instrument arrivals and departures at affected airports and the MOA must exclude the airspace 1,500 feet AGL and below within a 3 NM radius of airports available for public use. 

An MOA is airspace designed to separate non-hazardous military flight activities from IFR aircraft and to identify for VFR aircraft where these activities are being conducted.

How are MOAs identified?

Permanent MOAs are charted on Sectional, VFR Terminal Area, and En Route Low Altitude charts. Temporary MOAs can be established which are not charted, but the military is responsible for publicizing the exercise within 50 miles of the affected airspace.

Information on MOAs can be found on the sectional chart and be contacting the controlling agency or flight service.

How can a pilot get more information on MOAs?

Information on MOAs can be found on the sectional chart and be contacting the controlling agency or flight service.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed.Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

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