AIM ¶ 3-5-2 — Military Training Routes

National security depends largely on the deterrent effect of our airborne military forces. To be proficient, the military services must train in a wide range of airborne tactics. One phase of this training involves “low level” combat tactics. The required maneuvers and high speeds are such that they may occasionally make the see-and-avoid aspect of VFR flight more difficult without increased vigilance in areas containing such operations. In an effort to ensure the greatest practical level of safety for all flight operations, the Military Training Route (MTR) program was conceived. The MTR program is a joint venture by the FAA and the Department of Defense (DoD). MTRs are mutually developed for use by the military for the purpose of conducting low-altitude, high-speed training. The routes above 1,500 feet AGL are developed to be flown, to the maximum extent possible, under IFR. The routes at 1,500 feet AGL and below are generally developed to be flown under VFR. Generally, MTRs are established below 10,000 feet MSL for operations at speeds in excess of 250 knots. However, route segments may be defined at higher altitudes for purposes of route continuity. For example, route segments may be defined for descent, climbout, and mountainous terrain. There are IFR and VFR routes as follows: IFR Military Training Routes-(IR). Operations on these routes are conducted in accordance with IFR regardless of weather conditions. VFR Military Training Routes-(VR). Operations on these routes are conducted in accordance with VFR except flight visibility must be 5 miles or more; and flights must not be conducted below a ceiling of less than 3,000 feet AGL. Military training routes will be identified and charted as follows: Route identification. MTRs with no segment above 1,500 feet AGL must be identified by four number characters; e.g., IR1206, VR1207. MTRs that include one or more segments above 1,500 feet AGL must be identified by three number characters; e.g., IR206, VR207. Alternate IR/VR routes or route segments are identified by using the basic/principal route designation followed by a letter suffix, e.g., IR008A, VR1007B, etc. Route charting. IFR Enroute Low Altitude Chart. This chart will depict all IR routes and all VR routes that accommodate operations above 1,500 feet AGL. VFR Sectional Aeronautical Charts. These charts will depict military training activities such as IR and VR information. Special Military Activity Routes (SMARs) may also be charted on the VFR Sectional Chart, showing the extent of the airspace allocated to the associated IFR Military Training Routes within which the Department of Defense conducts periodic operations involving Unmanned Aircraft Systems. These aircraft may be accompanied by military or other aircraft that provide the pilots of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems visual observation information about other aircraft operations near them. Further information on SMAR charting can be found on the border of the printed VFR Sectional Chart and in the FAA Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide available online at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guide/ . Area Planning (AP/1B) Chart (DoD Flight Information Publication-FLIP). This chart is published by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) primarily for military users and contains detailed information on both IR and VR routes. DoD FLIP- Department of Defense Flight Information Publications describe IR/VR routes through charts and narratives, and the FAA provides information regarding these routes to all users via IFR and VFR charts. MTR information from the FLIP is available for pilot briefings through Flight Service. (See subparagraph f below.) Availability of MTR information. Pilots may obtain preflight MTR information through Flight Service (see paragraph 5-1-1 , Preflight Preparation). MTR routes are depicted on IFR En Route Low Altitude Charts and VFR Sectional Charts, which are available for free download on the FAA website at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/ . Nonparticipating aircraft are not prohibited from flying within an MTR or SMAR; however, extreme vigilance should be exercised when conducting flight through or near these routes. Pilots, while inflight, should contact the FSS within 100 NM of a particular MTR to obtain current information or route usage in their vicinity. Information available includes times of scheduled activity, altitudes in use on each route segment, and actual route width. Route width varies for each MTR and can extend several miles on either side of the charted MTR centerline. Route width information for IFR Military Training Route (IR) and VFR Military Training Route (VR) MTRs is also available in the FLIP AP/1B along with additional MTR (slow routes/air refueling routes) information. When requesting MTR information, pilots should give the FSS the MTR designation of interest, their position, route of flight, and destination in order to reduce frequency congestion and permit the FSS specialist to identify the MTR or SMAR that could be a factor.