MOA
MOA stands for
Military Operating Area
This chicken joint also known as the lords chicken, shares the same 3 letter abbreviation
Chick-Fil-A
What defines a Prohibited Area, and who authorizes its establishment
A Prohibited Area is airspace where no aircraft flight is allowed for reasons of welfare.
What activities typically occur in Alert Areas, and what should pilots expect?
Alert Areas are designated where a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activities occur.
What is National Defense Airspace?
National Defense Airspace is any airspace where special security instructions apply to protect national security, defense resources, or critical infrastructure.
What is the purpose of MOA’s?
An MOA is airspace established to separate certain military activities (like air combat training) from IFR traffic under ATC control.
(Source: AIM 3-4-5)
What is the purpose of a Controlled Firing Area
A CFA is designated to contain activities that could be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft, such as artillery firing, but operations are immediately suspended if an aircraft approaches — so pilots are not required to avoid them.
(Source: AIM 3-4-6)
Can a pilot ever receive clearance to enter a Prohibited Area?
No.
Prohibited Areas are absolutely off-limits at all times to all aircraft — no clearances, no exceptions for normal operations.
(Source: AIM 3-4-2)
Is ATC clearance required to enter an Alert Area?
No.
Alert Areas are advisory in nature. Pilots do not need ATC clearance to enter, but must exercise extreme caution.
(Source: AIM 3-5-6)
How are pilots notified of the existence of National Defense Airspace?
Through NOTAMs issued under 14 CFR 99.7 (Special Security Instructions).
What is the closest MOA to KBQK?
____
Do Controlled Firing Areas (CFAs) appear on sectional charts?
No.
CFAs are not charted because their activities are immediately stopped when nonparticipating aircraft are detected.
(Source: AIM 3-4-6)
How are Prohibited Areas depicted on a sectional chart
Depicted with a blue hashed boundary. Labeled with a “P” followed by a number (e.g., P-40 over Camp David).
(Source: FAA Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide)
How are Alert Areas depicted on sectional charts?
Alert Areas are shown with a magenta hashed boundary.
Labeled with an “A” followed by a number (e.g., A-211).
(Source: FAA Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide)
What happens if a pilot violates National Defense Airspace?
Violations can result in military interception, pilot certificate action, civil penalties, criminal charges, or use of force under emergency protocols.
Can VFR pilots fly through an ACTIVE MOA without a clearance?
Yes. VFR pilots can fly through an active MOA without clearance, but they are encouraged to exercise extreme caution and contact the controlling agency for advisories if possible.
(Source: AIM 3-4-5(c))
Do pilots have to communicate with anyone or get clearance when flying through a CFA?
Since activities in a CFA stop when aircraft approach, no pilot action is needed, no clearance is required, and no communication is necessary.
(Source: AIM 3-4-6
Can a VFR pilot enter a Restricted Area when it is active?
Only if they receive specific ATC clearance.
Without clearance, entry into an active Restricted Area is prohibited.
(Source: AIM 3-4-3(c))
Where are Warning Areas located, and why are they established?
Warning Areas are located over international waters starting 3 nautical miles offshore, and they warn of potential dangers like military operations similar to Restricted Areas — but because they’re over international waters, no FAA jurisdiction exists.
(Source: AIM 3-4-4)
Is National Defense Airspace always associated with Prohibited Areas?
No. While some Prohibited Areas are National Defense Airspace (like P-40, P-56),
NDA can also be temporary (like a TFR for a Presidential visit or major sporting event) without establishing a formal Prohibited Area.
(Source: AIM 5-6-17)
How are pilots advised of MOA activity in flight?
Pilots can determine real-time MOA activity by contacting the controlling ATC facility listed on sectional charts or the Chart Supplement. Sometimes activity is also broadcast on ATIS or FSS frequencies.
(Source: AIM 3-4-5(c))
If a pilot suspects a CFA operation is being conducted unsafely, what should they do?
Report the issue to the nearest Flight Service Station (FSS) or ATC facility after landing.
(Source: FAA common reporting procedures — AIM 7-7-1)
How can a pilot determine if a Restricted Area is active?
By checking the NOTAMs.
Contacting the controlling agency listed on sectional charts.
Sometimes, Restricted Areas have scheduled times of activity published in the Chart Supplement.
(Source: AIM 3-4-3(b))
Sinking Sangye…
Leader loses 200 points.
What size sporting event triggers a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction)?
Any stadium or sporting event with a seating capacity of 30,000 people or more automatically triggers a TFR
3 nautical mile radius
From the surface up to 3,000 feet AGL
Effective one hour before to one hour after the scheduled event time