An MOA (Military Operations Area) is airspace designated for military aircraft to conduct training activities like combat maneuvers, aerial combat exercises, and high-speed low-altitude flying. Civilian aircraft aren't necessarily banned from flying there, but during active military training you'd be sharing that airspace with fast, unpredictable, low-flying military traffic.
MOA is a United States term for military training airspace designated by the FAA. Other countries use different designations, so for the rules where you fly, see our country-by-country drone regulations and the EU/EASA overview.
Key takeaways
- In FAA terms, an MOA is airspace set up to separate non-hazardous military flight activity from IFR traffic. It is not a prohibited or restricted area.
- VFR aircraft are not denied access, but the FAA tells pilots to use extreme caution when military activity is under way. A drone pilot has even less ability to see and avoid a fast jet.
- Whether an MOA is active changes frequently, so confirm the status before you fly instead of relying on the chart alone.
- The safest plan is to avoid an active MOA and the area around it.
What an MOA is, and what it is not
The FAA's Pilot's Handbook describes an MOA as airspace established outside Class A airspace to separate or segregate certain non-hazardous military flight activities from IFR aircraft. The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) lists the kind of activity involved: air combat tactics, air intercepts, aerobatics, formation training and low-altitude tactics.
An MOA is a different thing from the stricter special use airspace types:
| Type | What the AIM says |
|---|---|
| Prohibited area | Flight of aircraft is prohibited |
| Restricted area | Flight is not wholly prohibited but is subject to restrictions; entering without authorization from the controlling agency is extremely hazardous |
| MOA | Separates military training from IFR traffic; VFR aircraft are not denied access |
Military pilots flying in an active MOA have exemptions that civilian pilots do not. The AIM notes, for example, that they may exceed 250 knots below 10,000 feet MSL there. That is the practical reason the AIM urges VFR pilots to use extreme caution.
Why it matters for drone pilots
- Aircraft in an MOA may be fast and may be maneuvering at low altitude. A small drone is very hard for a crew to spot, and a drone pilot looking at a screen is unlikely to notice an approaching jet in time.
- MOA floors vary, and the Handbook notes an MOA can extend below 1,200 feet AGL. It excludes the airspace 1,500 feet AGL and below within 3 NM of public-use airports. Read the actual floor and ceiling on the chart rather than assuming a 400-foot drone flight keeps you under the MOA.
- Being allowed to enter an MOA is not the same as being safe in it. Other rules (airspace class, TFRs, airport proximity) apply on top. See the US airspace classes guide.
How to check an MOA
- Find the MOA on a current Sectional or VFR Terminal Area chart. Permanent MOAs are shown there, and each has a name plus a state abbreviation.
- Read its altitude limits and the times of use listed for it.
- Confirm the live status. The AIM says activity status can change frequently and that a pilot can call any Flight Service Station within 100 miles of the area to get current operating hours. Before entering an active MOA, pilots contact the controlling agency for traffic advisories.
- Check NOTAMs for the area and time of your flight; see the NOTAM guide. If you can't confirm the status, treat the MOA as active.
- If it is active, or you can't tell, plan to fly elsewhere or at another time.
Common mistakes
- Reading "not prohibited" as "safe".
- Checking the chart but not the live status.
- Assuming a low drone flight stays below the MOA.
- Using US terminology abroad. Other countries designate military training airspace differently, so check the local official aeronautical information before flying.
FAQ
Is it illegal to fly a drone in an MOA?
The AIM describes an MOA as airspace where VFR aircraft are not denied access, so the MOA designation alone is not a flight ban. Other rules can still apply, and the collision risk is serious, so avoid active MOAs.
How do I know if an MOA is active?
Per the AIM, activity status changes frequently, and Flight Service Stations within 100 miles can give current operating hours. Also check NOTAMs for your flight window.
What is the difference between an MOA and a restricted area?
A restricted area limits flight and requires authorization from its controlling agency. An MOA exists to separate military training from IFR traffic and does not deny VFR access.