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2 Answers

no clearance from ATC on IFR flight plan due to a “HOT” MOA – “Say intentions”

Asked by: 10028 views Airspace, FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Instrument Rating

I'm on a IFR flight plan, with a planned stop at the Seymour, IN (KSER) airport.  Upon passing Columbus, IN (KBAK) airport, the controller tells me the MOA is hot and ask me my intentions.  He gives me the option to cancel my IFR flight plan (I'm currently above a scattered to broken layer at 6000) or make a 180 degree turn and head north.  Not wanting to head north, I found a hole in the clouds and cancelled IFR and went VFR to my destination.

Any reason why air traffic control could not provide a clearance throught the MOA?

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2 Answers



  1. Gary Moore on Jul 27, 2010

    3.5.4 of the Airmans Information Manual says:

    “Whenever a MOA is being used, nonparticipating IFR traffic may be cleared through a MOA if IFR separation can be provided by ATC. Otherwise, ATC will reroute or restrict nonparticipating IFR traffic”

    Ultimately it’s probably the controllers discretion – perhaps this time – activities in the MOA made it dangerous for him to clear you through the MOA or he – for whatever reason – couldn’t provide IFR separation.

    +4 Votes Thumb up 5 Votes Thumb down 1 Votes



  2. Heather McNevin on Nov 03, 2010

    If an MOA is active, there is some sort of military activity in it.  To be fair, the military must request that airspace and it is published in a NOTAM at least 2 hours in advance.  Once an aircraft, say a fighter, is in an MOA, they are on their own frequency and can do whatever they want to inside that airspace.  Therefore, NO IFR traffic is allowed inside, since they cant be guaranteed protected airspace of 1,000 feet or 5 miles.  If the airspace isnt active, then its just fine to have IFR aircraft fly through it.

    +7 Votes Thumb up 7 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


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