I often fly over restricted area R-6413 near Green River, UT (on the Denver sectional chart). I get a DUATS briefing before flying and if there is no NOTAM that the area is active, I fly there. The area has not been active for over 30 years. The chart says the "Time of Use" is by NOTAM 48 hrs in advance. I thought I was OK if there was no NOTAM.

I had a pilot friend tell me that I must call the contact facility (Denver CNTR on 134.5) before flying in the area or I risk losing my license. He has been flying much longer than me so I'm concerned.

What is the correct procedure for R-6413?

John R

Pick up the phone and call Denver Center.
I'll bet they don't know either ....but at least you called.

It's pretty simple if you're in contact with the controlling agency in this case Denver Center just ask them if that area is hot or cold and that you'd like to transit if possible. They will either tell you it's active NO or inactive and they will give you the usage parameters.

I frequently use R-2515 (Edwards) in glider and/or power. Sunday and holidays are the most likely permitted days there. I I contact Joshua Approach (in the air) they always give me airspace use at or above 6000' msl when they do. They will want you to squawk a discrete code.

Always plan your flight around the airspace if they let you go through then that's a plus.

Restricted areas:
FAR part 73, subpart B :restricted areas"
AIM 3-4-3 "restricted areas"

skypony wrote:
I had a pilot friend tell me that I must call the contact facility (Denver CNTR on 134.5) before flying in the area or I risk losing my license. He has been flying much longer than me so I'm concerned.

John R

I'm guessing that he probably meant if you mess up the NOTAM you're in trouble so you'd better call to cover your bases.

It's pretty simple, per the FAR part 91:

"(a) No person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area (designated in part 73)
contrary to the restrictions imposed, or within a prohibited area, unless that person has
the permission of the using or controlling agency, as appropriate."

I lived in Green River for Most of my life.
It's true the airspace hasn't been active for 30 some odd years.
The missile base in green river shut down many moons ago and I have no idea why they keep the restricted area on the map. The only thing I can possibly think of is they may reactivate in times of war????

All you need to do legally is check notams.(Although you probably have better odds of winning the lottery than the airspace being hot)

If it's not hot your good to go.

It's pretty simple, per the FAR part 91:

"(a) No person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area (designated in part 73)
contrary to the restrictions imposed, or within a prohibited area, unless that person has
the permission of the using or controlling agency, as appropriate."
It's pretty simple, per the FAR part 91:

only parially right nmflyguy

according to 73.13

"no person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area between the designated altitudes and during time of designation, unless he has the advance permission of :
(a) the using agency described in 73.15; or
(b) the controlling agency described in 73.17.


So where the published "time of use is by notam 48 hours in advance" you don't need permission to use the airspace.

Fly on

SE6601KF wrote:

It's pretty simple, per the FAR part 91:

"(a) No person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area (designated in part 73)
contrary to the restrictions imposed, or within a prohibited area, unless that person has
the permission of the using or controlling agency, as appropriate."
It's pretty simple, per the FAR part 91:

only parially right nmflyguy

according to 73.13

"no person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area between the designated altitudes and during time of designation, unless he has the advance permission of :
(a) the using agency described in 73.15; or
(b) the controlling agency described in 73.17.


So where the published "time of use is by notam 48 hours in advance" you don't need permission to use the airspace.

Fly on

I don't think we're disagreeing, but my statement is more than "partially right" ... the FAR quote I refernenced stated,
" ... contrary to the restrictions imposed" ... the "restrictions" involve altitudes (as a minimum) but which may also be qualified or modified by published time periods, or NOTAM, or other variable as well.

As a practical matter, it's always a good idea to call up Center, on the ground or in the air, before penetrating any Restricted Area. It's easy to do, and also gets one on the record for having checked. Not just to avoid a citation, but in some instances the military is potentially doing some very dangerous stuff within the restricted areas, like missile launches or testing out laser weapons and such .. "better safe than sorry" is the operative consideration.

I'd hate to meet up with a missile mid-air because some bureaucrat "forgot" to publish the NOTAM 48 hours in advance.

I think contacting the controlling center is a damn good idea.

I often fly in the vicinity of a couple of R-xxxx areas. One occupied by C-17's C-130's and various rotary wing aircraft and one with artillery and rocket propelled ordinance in the air.

The FAA is the least of my worries in these areas.

Tom, I'm guessing that you're referring to the R6703 restricted areas near McChord/Ft Lewis. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing either the McChord or Grey AAF ATIS will let you know if they're hot. When either R-6701 or A-680 (aka "OLF Coupeville") up near me is hot, that info is part of the NAS Whidbey ATIS recording.

Eric

Yep, Grey gives the status of their Restricted areas. And the controlling agency is listed on the chart for others.

My point was flying into those areas without knowing if they are hot or not can be seriously bad for your health.

TD