FAA Wavier in MOAs?

Hi all,

This is my first post on this forum! I am doing research for my TRA L1, having finally decided to jump into high power after many years of putting it off.

I realize that this question has nothing to do with L1 certification (or any other certification). I have joined my local club, and plan on launching at their field.

However, I also would like the opportunity to go it alone. In principle, I dislike the idea of always being constrained to one area. I have the information I need to apply for an FAA wavier - it is pretty straightforward. Just to be very clear: I have absolutely no intension of breaking any FAA regulations.

Question: How does the FAA grant/mediate waivers for MOA zones (Military Operations Areas)? Some parts of the USA have very large MOA zones that span thousands of square miles of Federal land (e.g. BLM land). For example, in my area of southern Arizona, MOA fill most of the blank spaces on the FAA maps between the VFR lines. Do not confuse MOA is restricted airspace. They are not the same.

I’m not a pilot. But, I know that any private pilot can fly into a MOA by first checking to see if that MOA is active. If it is not, then that airspace is open.

How would/could this work for a FAA wavier within a MOA? Or are waivers within MOAs rejected out of hand?

Does anyone know?

Thanks!

Waivers are granted in a MOA. An example of a possible restriction may be that it could only be on a Sat or Sun. There are threads on this site regarding the issue. Do a search of MOA in the search box upper right. Also, there is more info available if you do a Google search.

OROC's waiver is in a MOA. The Juniper North MOA.
We just need to coordinate with the local wings to make sure they are not flying when we want to.
We stand down when they are in the air.
We DID, ONE TIME, have an agreement allowing us to continue flight ops staying under their 10k hard deck, but that is not the usual deal.

Titan II said:

Waivers are granted in a MOA. An example of a possible restriction may be that it could only be on a Sat or Sun. There are threads on this site regarding the issue. Do a search of MOA in the search box upper right. Also, there is more info available if you do a Google search.

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Thanks. I searched for MOA and waivers and came up empty handed. I’ll give it another go.

That’s great to hear. Potential restrictions are completely understandable. I’m guessing that many of the MOA are often unused.

FredA said:

OROC's waiver is in a MOA. The Juniper North MOA.
We just need to coordinate with the local wings to make sure they are not flying when we want to.
We stand down when they are in the air.
We DID, ONE TIME, have an agreement allowing us to continue flight ops staying under their 10k hard deck, but that is not the usual deal.

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I’m guessing special agreements probably have a lot to do with the wing commander. Greasing the wheels on the mil side probably could go a long way in facilitating that.

Thanks!

Amplifying the above a little. My club’s waiver activation process includes calling a couple of bases and asking if they will be using routes X or Y during the time we’ll be flying. They usually say no. Once I got a call back that they would be flying over us at 4:00, and asked if we would be done by then. Fortunately we didn’t conflict.

boatgeek said:

Amplifying the above a little. My club’s waiver activation process includes calling a couple of bases and asking if they will be using routes X or Y during the time we’ll be flying. They usually say no. Once I got a call back that they would be flying over us at 4:00, and asked if we would be done by then. Fortunately we didn’t conflict.

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So, were you requested to contact the base as part of the wavier, or did you do this on your own?

I’m just wondering if the requirement came from the FAA - they may have a better idea of which bases to contact.

Not sure the FAA cares, but as stated above, it's part of our activation/de-activation process to call the wings.

We do talk to them early in the season and try to work around their known dates when scheduling our launch dates.

Before every launch they get a call early in the week to check their scheduled usage and they get priority.
Then they are part of the "we're starting" and "we're done" phone call list too.

Serac said:

So, were you requested to contact the base as part of the wavier, or did you do this on your own?

I’m just wondering if the requirement came from the FAA - they may have a better idea of which bases to contact.

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FredA said:

Not sure the FAA cares, but as stated above, it's part of our activation/de-activation process to call the wings.

We do talk to them early in the season and try to work around their known dates when scheduling our launch dates.

Before every launch they get a call early in the week to check their scheduled usage and they get priority.
Then they are part of the "we're starting" and "we're done" phone call list too.

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It's part of our SOP, but I think it's also written into the waiver. We call the bases at the same time we give the first call to FAA to activate the waiver. They invariably say they don't know what's going to fly over the weekend, so we call back again the day before launching. I'm pretty sure the first call puts those routes into a "don't use unless we really, really need it" list as they plan their weekend training.

I was wondering why you wanted to fly in the Mall of America. Then I read your post....... nevermind.

SDramstad said:

I was wondering why you wanted to fly in the Mall of America. Then I read your post....... nevermind.

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LOL! That would probably be one if the top 50 worst places...

SDramstad said:

I was wondering why you wanted to fly in the Mall of America. Then I read your post....... nevermind.

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Great way to introduce rocketry to the masses! Or not!?!

Thank, all, for your input and humor. This helps me plan!