
There are two types of military training routes: Military Training Routes - for military flight training at airspeeds in excess of 250 knots. Although activities may be hazardous, international agreements do not provide for prohibition of flight in international airspace. Warning Area - international airspace designated for military activities. Restrictions are placed on all non-participating air traffic. Restricted Area - airspace designated for hazardous military activities including live-firing of weapons. Visual flight rules aircraft are not restricted from operating in military operations areas. The designation informs and segregates non-participating instrument flight rules aircraft from the activity. Military Operations Area - airspace designated for non-hazardous military activity such as acrobatics, air combat tactics and formation training. They are depicted on aeronautical charts for information to non-participating pilots: Low-level airspace used for military flight activities includes:Īlert Areas - airspace which may contain a high volume of pilot training activity or an unusual type of aerial activity, neither of which is hazardous to aircraft. Low-altitude flying training provides this realism and is considered one of the Air Force's highest training priorities. Pilots must have long hours of realistic training to become skilled at low-altitude flight and then must have many more hours of the same training to remain proficient. In combat, many aircraft will operate at altitudes as low as 100 feet and at high airspeeds to defeat ground missile radars and avoid sophisticated surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and enemy fighters. In a world of increasingly sophisticated air defenses, the United States needs to maintain a first-class air force. Exceptions are made when absolutely required and are announced in advance. High speed low-altitude training activities are conducted only in limited, charted airspace. Today's technology, both ours and that of potential foes, has taken flight beyond the range and scope for which those original training areas were designed.Ĭharted airspace includes the various types of low-altitude airspace used for military flight activities and is indicated on most aeronautical charts. Training areas were first assigned to the Air Force in the late 1950s when aircraft were slower, turning patterns were tighter and low-level flying was not considered a useful tactic. The mixture of fast military planes and slower civilian aircraft creates obvious low-altitude training safety concerns. High speed operations include aircraft intercepts, air-to-air combat, close-air support for ground forces and photo reconnaissance. The military uses some airspace below 10,000 feet for training operations and frequently flies at speeds of more than 250 knots. For example, most low-level flying is limited to daylight hours and low-level flying near densely populated areas is prohibited.

The Air Force takes very seriously noise problems associated with low-altitude training. Flight service stations have Department of Defense and sectional charts, the Airman's Information Manual, and other material which publicize the areas. Military training areas and routes are shown in Flight Information Publications and FAA charts.

Pilots should know whether they can enter, where they may fly and whether their flight will be under visual or instrument flight rules. It has set numerous restrictions and tailored its training to reduce noise as much as possible.īoth the military and general aviation - pleasure and small business planes - must take precautions in designated low-altitude airspace. Air Force is committed to safety and to minimizing the collateral noise associated with low-level flying training.
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Full consideration is given to the needs of both national defense and civilian aviation.

airspace and is responsible for the development and enforcement of rules for aircraft flights and for the safe and efficient use of airspace.

The Federal Aviation Administration manages U.S.
