As the bright sun rises, an F–22 taxies out with an F–15 chase plane to continue test and evaluation flights. Later in the day, a B–2 and an F–117 test new weapons, while F–16s, T–38s, KC–135s, and myriad other aircraft carry out their daily missions. Civilian aircraft undergoing tests occasionally visit as well. Where is this place? Edwards Air Force Base, California, a hotbed of U.S. technological advances in aviation. The base is legendary, and the endeavors of the test pilots who have flown these skies are the stuff pilots’ dreams are made of.
Located about 60 miles north of downtown L.A., the base is surrounded by desolate desert on all sides. This is perfect flight-test territory. The weather here is severe VFR about 360 days a year, and there is a large area of restricted airspace. Late last year, several general aviation aircraft made incursions into the restricted airspace around Edwards—including two incidents during flight-test operations and one during a live-fire gunnery exercise.
R-2508, also known as "The Complex," spans from just south of the Muroc Dry Lakebed to just south of Bishop, California. The west border is over the Sierra Nevada Mountains; to the east is Death Valley. However, the majority of the complex is not comprised of restricted airspace, but rather of military operating areas (MOAs) below 18,000 ft msl. That means VFR fliers can, and frequently do, transit the airspace. There are many small airfields beneath the complex used by GA, including Mojave Airport (home of the Rutans). In addition, GA fliers transit the airspace on trips to many West Coast attractions. Flying through the complex’s MOAs requires extra attention to the radios, looking outside more often for military traffic, and studying the airspace before entering.
Before you enter any MOA, it’s wise to be in contact with the controlling agency and to squawk 1200. Joshua Control (High Desert Tracon) monitors the complex’s MOAs. I say monitors, and not controls, because a MOA is VFR-only, and the rules of "see and avoid" apply. Joshua is responsible for all the complex’s MOAs, but there are four other main MOAs. Contact Joshua on 133.65 MHz for entry into Isabella; 126.55 MHz for Owens; 123.95 MHz for Saline; and 120.25 MHz for Panamint. There are also four major restricted areas that you must avoid, unless you are given specific clearance to transit. They are R-2515 (the Edwards AFB main test area controlled by Sport Control on 132.75 MHz); R-2524 (the "Echo" bombing range); R-2502N and E (the Fort Irwin gunnery ranges); and R-2505 and R-2506 (the China Lake bombing ranges). The description of each restricted area should be enough to explain why unauthorized entry could be hazardous to your health. Occasionally, late at night and on weekends, Joshua may allow you to transit the restricted areas if they are cold.
Within the MOAs are several choke points where extra vigilance is needed. The busiest area is in the Isabella MOA, from Rosamond (Highway 14), to Mojave, to California City, to Inyokern Airport, and west toward the Tehachapi Pass. Mojave, host to the National Test Pilot School, has all types of high-performance and vintage aircraft operating from the airfield, and has many airliners in temporary storage. California City and Tehachapi are major West Coast centers for glider activity. Cal City also has a parachute jump school. Additionally, Inyokern Airport is adding scheduled air-carrier service to Los Angeles International. And this is only the civilian traffic—the military is the primary user of the MOA. Several low-level routes traverse between R-2515 and the Tehachapi Pass. Military jets using these routes will be at 500 feet agl minimum and at speeds of 400 to 500 knots. From the Tehachapi Pass northbound to Isabella Lake is the main air refueling track for test aircraft. Refueling occurs at 15,000 feet msl and above, but the jets transiting to and from the track must descend to return to Edwards AFB. Just north of California City lies Kohn Lake, normally a dry lake bed. This is a great visual reference that military jets use as a "work" area, and transit to it from R-2515 and back again. Usually the jets are at higher altitudes, but occasionally they descend below 10,000 feet msl.
However, the busiest area in the Isabella MOA is Cords Road. Just north of Mojave and south of California City is a group of dirt roads running east to west. The middle road is Cords Road. Three miles north and south of this road (a six-mile-wide corridor) is the Cords Road test area. Edwards AFB jets use this area from 500 feet agl and above at speeds of 250 to 600 kt. Luckily, most of this activity takes place inside R-2515. Many times the test missions will exit into the Isabella MOA as far west as the Tehachapi Pass. This puts the traffic over Highway 58 between Mojave and Tehachapi. The best way to transit this area is to cross the road on a perpendicular heading to minimize your exposure to military traffic. Ask Joshua Control if Cords Road is active and, if so, at what altitudes. If it is active, listen for traffic advisories and turn on all external lights; you’ll be more visible.
The Owens MOA has its own high-traffic point. Several low-levels cross Owens Lake on generally east-west headings. A few of these low-level routes continue up the east side of the Owens Valley, only turning to the southeast near the complex’s northern border near Bishop. Incidentally, the low-levels used in the complex are not printed on sectionals, and FSS is not notified of their activation because they are part of the MOA airspace.
A small MOA corridor exists between the R-2524 and R-2505 ranges, connecting the Isabella and Panamint MOAs. This is called the Trona Gap. Several low-levels cross through this area. Additionally, if military fliers are not participating in the activities in R-2524 and R-2505, they too must transit using the Trona Gap.
Civilian fliers use this gap to go to Death Valley or as a shortcut to Las Vegas from the west. This places everyone in a narrow corridor. Again, talk to Joshua for radar service and turn on your lights. Occasionally, the Trona Gap will close and become a controlled firing area; that means missiles are being launched between the two restricted areas. This makes it very important that you talk to Joshua prior to transiting the Trona Gap. FSS will also have that information, if you ask for it.
You can find more detailed information on the R-2508 Complex and Edwards Air Force Base on the Internet ( www.edwards.af.mil/psafety/, then click on "Flight Safety"). The airspace information is under "Mid-Air Collision Avoidance (MACA)" and "R-2508 Complex Guide."
What about visiting Edwards AFB? Although GA aircraft cannot land on the field unless on official business and with proper written permission, Rosamond Airpark, William J. Fox Field, and Mojave Airport are civilian fields located nearby. The Edwards AFB public affairs office usually can set up a tour of the base flightline and the lake bed every Friday at 10 a.m. You must call in advance at 661/277-3517. The Edwards AFB museum can also be visited by the public; its number is 661/277-8050. NASA Dryden is located on the north side of the field and provides a great tour of its facilities; call 661/258-3449.
Being a safe pilot means arming yourself with all the information required to make proper decisions during a flight and building strong situational awareness. Transiting the complex presents a pilot with a unique situation. It can safely be accomplished by obtaining the proper information first.
Maj. Bill Koukourikos, AOPA 874800 , is the chief of flight safety at Edwards Air Force Base. He has logged 3,400 hours, mostly in military jets. He holds a commercial pilot certificate with instrument and multiengine ratings.
Have you enjoyed an interesting flying experience in California? Send story ideas or written manuscripts to: California Flying, AOPA Pilot, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701.
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