Military Operations Area (MOA), Restricted and Prohibited Airspace

MOAs, Restricted, and Prohibited SUA

This topic covers the purpose of and entry requirements of military operations areas, restricted airspace and prohibited airspace.

Lesson Notes

Military Operations Areas (MOA) are areas of airspace designed to separate IFR traffic from military traffic. You do not need to talk to ATC to enter, or be on a flight plan. You definitely should, however, if the MOA is active. Aircraft could be moving very fast, maneuvering and changing direction rapidly.

Restricted Airspace and Prohibited Airspace cannot be entered while they are active, unless approved by the controlling ATC facility. Prohibited airspace is established to keep airplanes away from areas of national security. For example, most of Washington D.C. is surrounded by Prohibited Airspace. Restricted airspace is established to keep pilots away from potentially dangerous activity (e.g. military live firing, bomb tests, radioactivity, etc.)