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

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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. 

fighter aircraft

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.

military operations area

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.

Video Tip: How to perform a Cessna 172 exterior preflight

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The airplane preflight inspection is performed before each flight to ensure that all the required paperwork is on board, that the airplane systems are working properly and that the correct amount of fuel and oil are in the tanks.  It’s your chance to really look the airplane over inside and out to assure yourself that it’s ready to fly because once you’re airborne you just can’t pull over in case something goes wrong. This week’s video tip demonstrates how complete the external preflight inspection on a Cessna 172.

Learn more from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course – Video Training and Test Prep

 

Regional Airline Association (RAA) accepting scholarship applications

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Apply by April 30, 2024

The Regional Airline Association (RAA) will be awarding three, $4,000 scholarships to assist students who are studying for a career in the airline industry.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for the scholarship:

  1. Applicants must be officially enrolled in an accredited college or university in a program leading to a career in the airline industry at the time of application and award.  Applicants will be considered from other programs/majors, if the applicant’s goal of a career in airline management can be demonstrated through work experience or the personal essay;
  2. Applicants must possess a minimum cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale at the time of the application.  A transcript reflecting grades through the previous academic year at college or university must accompany the application.  Highschool transcripts will not be considered. Because of the application deadline, applicants may submit transcripts through fall or winter term 2023/2024;
  3. A resume outlining the applicants work experience, extracurricular and/or community activities;
  4. A career essay, up to 350 words, describing the applicant’s interests in the airline industry;
  5. A college or university faculty recommendation must accompany the application.
  6. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States.

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.raa.org/scholarship/.

pitot

Quiz: Understanding the airplane Pitot-Static System

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The pitot-static system is the source of valuable flight information for the pilot. But how does it work and what instruments are affected? Take this quiz to find out if you have mastered the finer details of the pitot-static system.

1. Which instrument(s) will become inoperative if the static vents become clogged?
1. Which instrument(s) will become inoperative if the static vents become clogged?
Correct! Wrong!
2. If a flight is made from an area of low pressure into an area of high pressure without the altimeter setting being adjusted, the altimeter will indicate
2. If a flight is made from an area of low pressure into an area of high pressure without the altimeter setting being adjusted, the altimeter will indicate
Correct! Wrong!
3. What does the red line on an airspeed indicator represent?
3. What does the red line on an airspeed indicator represent?
Correct! Wrong!
4. What altitude does the altimeter indicate?
4. What altitude does the altimeter indicate?
Correct! Wrong!
5. Which instrument will become inoperative if the pitot tube becomes clogged?
5. Which instrument will become inoperative if the pitot tube becomes clogged?
Correct! Wrong!
6. The pitot system provides impact pressure for which instrument(s)?
6. The pitot system provides impact pressure for which instrument(s)?
Correct! Wrong!
7. Altimeter setting is the value to which the barometric pressure scale of the altimeter is set so the altimeter indicates
7. Altimeter setting is the value to which the barometric pressure scale of the altimeter is set so the altimeter indicates
Correct! Wrong!
8. Which condition would cause the altimeter to indicate a lower altitude than true altitude?
8. Which condition would cause the altimeter to indicate a lower altitude than true altitude?
Correct! Wrong!
9. If, while in level flight, it becomes necessary to use an alternate source of static pressure vented inside the airplane, which of the following should the pilot expect?
9. If, while in level flight, it becomes necessary to use an alternate source of static pressure vented inside the airplane, which of the following should the pilot expect?
Correct! Wrong!

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Pitot-Static System You got out of 9 right!

Want to brush up on your flight instrument knowledge? Check out Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course

dust devil

Dust devils present significant aviation risks

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dust devil

Dust devils post significant aviation risks.

Dust devils present significant hadzards to aviation and have been present in more than 170 accidents the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated since 1982 according to an NTSB Aviation Safety Alert (SA-088) on the topic. The spiraling updraft of a dust devil can oncur under clear skies and warm conditions especially in areas with flat terrain such as the Southwest US. Given their strenth (which can be comparable to a tornado) and often invisible presence, dust devils can create suden and unexpected and severe turbulence which can lead to loss of control.

While dust devils containing debris can be obvious, for those with no debris, a shadow can still be created depending on the angle of the sun. And in some environments, dust devils leave tracks or marks on the ground which can offer clues to their presence, size and direction. It’s recommended that pilots always stay vigilant for the potential existence of dust devils and consider maintaining higher altitudes in areas of higher risk.

Learn more in this NTSB video.

Pilot checking fuel during a cold winter.

Update to engine failure accident advisory circular

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The FAA recently published an update to Advisory Circular (AC) 20-105, Reciprocating Engine Power-Loss Accident Prevention and Trend Monitoring.

This AC discusses the circumstances surrounding engine power-loss accidents and provides recommendations on how those accidents can be prevented. The AC also provides generic data collection charts to assist with setting up a reciprocating engine trend monitoring program to improve and track both engine and related system reliability over the recommended operating life of the engine.

Despite improvements in engine design and performance over the years, engine system malfunctions remain the defining event for personal flying accidents. Many of these accidents are the result of the pilot’s mismanagement of engine controls and improper preflight planning. The FAA believes many of these engine power-loss accidents can be avoided if the owner/operator institutes a comprehensive training program for pilots and mechanics and incorporates a trend monitoring program.

Checking for fuel contaminates is among the AC preflight recommendations.

Among the recommendations is for pilots to depart with each fuel tank filled to capacity when possible as an accurate measure of total fuel as fuel gauge accuracy varies widely, especially in smaller aircraft. When it is not practical to depart with full fuel tanks, pilots should employ a method of measuring the amount of usable fuel on board the aircraft that does not rely entirely on the fuel gauge, such as a pre-calibrated fuel dipstick.

fueling

The AC recommends departing with full fuel whenever possible.

Another cause of engine failure is allowing the engine to run past the manufacturer’s recommended TBO. TBO time is a reliable estimate of the number of hours the engine should perform reliably within the established engine parameters and still not exceed the service wear limits for overhaul for major component parts, such as the crankshaft, cam shaft, cylinders, connecting rods, and pistons. The FAA recommends TBO be observed by owners or operators becuase n overhaul at TBO will help ensure safety and reliability, and an engine overhaul at TBO is usually less expensive than an engine that has been run an additional 200 or 300 hours.

To access the complete AC 120-105(c), click here.