R-space bust?

[Unregistered]

Suppose a pilot filed an IFR plan, but didn't consult the charts when filing and went on memory from the AOPA flight planner. This pilot later finds out his route of flight clipped the corner of an R space situated between an airforce class C and a commercial class C.

Further, the pilot was under control of the airforce class C controller when he believes he busted the R space, and was then shortly handed off to the commercial class C controller. Neither class C controller advised the pilot of the upcoming R space, or even mentioned it at all.

The pilot realized too late that he may have busted the space, and once home pulls out the charts and finds there to be overlapping "A" and "B" R-spaces, one GND/3200, and the other 3200/FL230. He fires up AOPA flight planner and finds that at certain levels of zoom, only the "A" space is shown, and that is why his memory told him it would be OK to overfly the R-space. Dumb dumb dumb.

The pilot fired off a NASA form post haste.

So, was this a bust?

Should (or will) the controllers on an IFR flight warn pilots of pending R-space incursion?

The pilot HAS learned his lesson on this one, and will trust no one and will ALWAYS consult paper charts before filing a route.

 

[Everskyward]

Should (or will) the controllers on an IFR flight warn pilots of pending R-space incursion?

The restricted airspace probably wasn't hot.

From the AIM 3-4-3 to put your mind at ease.

b. ATC facilities apply the following procedures when aircraft are operating on an IFR clearance (including those cleared by ATC to maintain VFR-on-top) via a route which lies within joint-use restricted airspace.​

1. If the restricted area is not active and has been released to the controlling agency (FAA), the ATC facility will allow the aircraft to operate in the restricted airspace without issuing specific clearance for it to do so.​

2. If the restricted area is active and has not been released to the controlling agency (FAA), the ATC facility will issue a clearance which will ensure the aircraft avoids the restricted airspace unless it is on an approved altitude reservation mission or has obtained its own permission to operate in the airspace and so informs the controlling facility.​

 

[gismo]

No bust. I file through R space all the time. The only issue is that you will be routed over/under/around if it is hot when you get near.

 

[Unregistered]

The restricted airspace probably wasn't hot.

From the AIM 3-4-3 to put your mind at ease.

No bust. I file through R space all the time. The only issue is that you will be routed over/under/around if it is hot when you get near.

Whew, that is a load off, thanks folks. So, when filing, I guess the only thing you shouldn't try to file thru is P-space? All the rest will be ok if not hot and get a re-route if it is?

 

[poadeleted20]

Even P-space isn't an issue for a pilot on an IFR clearance unless the controller screws up. Controllers are forbidden to issue IFR clearances through P-space, TFR's (unless specifically authorized), hot R-areas, and hot MOA's. If you get the clearance, read it back correctly, and execute it as cleared, you are in the clear legally. Of course, if the controller does screw up, and sends you through an active R-area, and you have a mid-air collision with a MK82 500-lb bomb, that doesn't make you feel any better, but your survivors get to collect a lot of money from the US Government.

 

[Anthony]

if the controller does screw up, and sends you through an active R-area, and you have a mid-air collision with a MK82 500-lb bomb, that doesn't make you feel any better, but your survivors get to collect a lot of money from the US Government.

That makes me feel A LOT better.