Sevenfold expansion proposed for Evers MOA

According to a project summary, the proposed lateral and vertical expansion of the Evers MOA would provide airspace needed to achieve “effective and accurate simulation of several F-16C mission sets” for training pilots of the 113th Wing, a unit of the District of Columbia Air National Guard based at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

AOPA supports the military’s mission but believes that expanding the Evers MOA located south of Elkins, West Virginia, from 635 square miles to more than 5,000 square miles, and lowering its floor to 1,000 feet above the ground would have an “excessive impact on general aviation and on surrounding airports,” said Rune Duke, AOPA senior director of airspace, air traffic, and aviation security.

“The location of the special-use airspace expansion is a high-traffic area,” he said. “Therefore, AOPA requests that the military reduce the size of the expansion to efficiently accommodate civil airspace users and to limit any economic impact.”

Alternatively, the military could consider a different site for the mission, he said.

 Pilots are encouraged to review the proposal and submit comments to the FAA by February 7. For additional background on GA’s concerns, pilots can refer to informal comments AOPA submitted in 2019 as well as suggestions for addressing the problems identified.

Please send your comments by February 7 to FAA Eastern Service Center, Operations Support Group (AJV-E23), Military Liaison Officer, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337. If possible, please share a copy of your comments with AOPA by email.

AOPA also plans to submit new comments on the proposal.