AOPA is urging pilots to review and submit comments to the FAA by Feb. 1 on an Air Force proposal to establish a temporary military operations area near Lima, Ohio.
The temporary Stinger MOA has been proposed by the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard, based in Toledo; it would be in effect from June 7 to Aug. 6. The airspace would be used by the unit’s F-16 fighters at altitudes from 6,000 feet msl up to but not including Flight Level 180 for practice of air combat maneuvering and urban close-air support.
The temporary MOA would be in use Tuesdays through Saturdays during the effective period at times specified in the FAA’s airspace study notice. Four hours advance notice would be provided by notam prior to activation, the notice said.
AOPA has concerns about the potential for general aviation IFR traffic facing delays in the area when the temporary MOA is in use. The association plans to submit comments on the proposal, said Rune Duke, AOPA director of airspace and air traffic.
The Air Force informed AOPA that it worked with the FAA “to find an area where there would be limited impact to civil traffic, but close enough to reduce the fuel burn” of training operations, Duke said.
Members are encouraged to submit comments to the FAA by Feb. 1 by email. Please share your comments with AOPA.
