USAF F-16 Instructor Discusses Flying Into MOAs

On Apr 4, 10:17*am, Larry Dighera wrote:
Here's an interesting subject:

Before I comment, let me assure you that I always contact FSS to learn
the status of any MOAs along my planned route of flight. *I always
either avoid hot MOAs or coordinate transit with the controlling
agency. *I believe this is what a prudent pilot should do.

I've found pilot's opinions and actions with regard to MOAs is very
regional. Those of us that fly in the SouthWest have learned that
flying through hot MOAs is necessary since most of the country is
either MOA or restricted. However, since MOA is specifically joint use
(VFR and military) pilots normally assume that by coordinating with
ATC you can avoid problems. In this case the pilot was talking with
ATC but the F-16 was not. The F-16 choose to jump the pilot without
informing ATC. Its a bit like a guy in a motorcycle swooping around a
guy on a bicycle. I would like have been upset as well. Again, I
realize that pilots from the midwest and east coast will see it
differently because they can just avoid hot MOAs.

-Robert