A remote pilot plans a land survey in a rural area overlapping a Military Operations Area (MOA) depicted on the sectional chart. No active NOTAM for the MOA is currently shown. What is the correct approach?

Question

Accepted Answer

Civil aircraft may operate in MOAs, but the pilot should contact the controlling agency to verify whether the MOA is active and what military activity to expect.. Military Operations Areas (MOAs) are airspace where the military conducts training including aerobatics, air combat maneuvering, and high-speed low-altitude flight. Civil aircraft, including sUAS. May operate within MOAs, but doing so during active periods carries serious collision risk. Pilots should contact the controlling ARTCC to verify whether the MOA is active before operating within it.

Answer

MOAs are restricted to military aircraft only: civil drone operations are always prohibited within a MOA.

Answer

MOAs only restrict manned aircraft: drone operations are permitted at any altitude within a MOA without restriction.