Simviation Forum - What does MOA mean?

Dec 10^th, 2008 at 3:45pm

machineman9 Offline
Colonel
Nantwich, England

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Posts: 5255

Was just talking to someone about the state of Washington for a minute, but they have since gone.

They mentioned something about 'MOA'

the Olympic MOA, have fun when that's hot.... they are a pain MOA's.... when they are hot, you can go in, but expect life to be tough

What exactly is MOA? Presumably something to do with mountains?

Any help?

Cheers.

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Reply #1 - Dec 10^th, 2008 at 4:04pm

C Offline
Colonel
Earth

Posts: 13144

In aviation terms, quite possibly this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Operations_Area

Sound quite similar to our AIAAs (Areas of Intense Aerial Activity) in the UK (such as Lincolnshire AIAA and Yorkshire AIAA), which are normally class G airspace, but have a awful lot of VFR and IFR training traffic.

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Reply #2 - Dec 10^th, 2008 at 4:27pm

machineman9 Offline
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Nantwich, England

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Mmm... That sounds like it could be right.

Some other Google definition was to do with the slope of mountains or something. Both could apply in Olympic National Park area, but the military operations seems to fit what was said best.

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Reply #3 - Dec 10^th, 2008 at 5:50pm

C Offline
Colonel
Earth

Posts: 13144

machineman9 wrote on Dec 10^th, 2008 at 4:27pm:

Mmm... That sounds like it could be right.

Some other Google definition was to do with the slope of mountains or something. Both could apply in Olympic National Park area, but the military operations seems to fit what was said best.

Google is your friend:

Quote:

Olympic MOA.
Located on the Olympic Peninsula, this MOA extends from the Strait of Juan de Fuca south to Hoquiam, and from the Olympic National Park west to the coastline. This area is used for in-flight air refueling training, flight familiarization, and aircraft combat maneuvering.

From:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/pacnorwest.htm

In view of my previous post, it seems they are probably more like UK airspace danger areas and AAR Areas.

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Reply #4 - Dec 10^th, 2008 at 7:15pm

Mobius Offline
Colonel
Highest Point in the Lightning
Storm
Wisconsin

Posts: 4369

MOAs are indeed Military Operations areas. They are essentially areas where military aircraft (mostly fighters and bombers) are given free reign to "fly like they fight" so they can train without having to worry about clearances and talking to ATC. Traffic is allowed into them when they're "hot" (being used by the military) but it is not recommended at all and IFR traffic is re-routed to avoid them. It's a good idea to watch out when you fly near or into a hot MOA because the military pilots aren't going to be watching for you nearly as much as they're watching for their buddies.

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Reply #5 - Dec 11^th, 2008 at 12:00pm

machineman9 Offline
Colonel
Nantwich, England

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Posts: 5255

Oh Google is my friend. Google definitions just left me a little confused.

But yeah, I understand now. Cheers.

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Reply #6 - Dec 11^th, 2008 at 5:18pm

flavio Offline
Colonel
USA

Posts: 157

Mobius wrote on Dec 10^th, 2008 at 7:15pm:

MOAs are indeed Military Operations areas. They are essentially areas where military aircraft (mostly fighters and bombers) are given free reign to "fly like they fight" so they can train without having to worry about clearances and talking to ATC. Traffic is allowed into them when they're "hot" (being used by the military) but it is not recommended at all and IFR traffic is re-routed to avoid them. It's a good idea to watch out when you fly near or into a hot MOA because the military pilots aren't going to be watching for you nearly as much as they're watching for their buddies.

Cant wait till we're the ones in the MOA's Wink

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Reply #7 - Dec 11^th, 2008 at 5:47pm

Mobius Offline
Colonel
Highest Point in the Lightning
Storm
Wisconsin

Posts: 4369

flavio wrote on Dec 11^th, 2008 at 5:18pm:

Cant wait till we're the ones in the MOA's Wink

We're working on it. Wink

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