Plan Would Add To Massive Military Airspace Over NV

On the heels of our report regarding concerns pilots in Georgia have over a possible expansion of a military operations area, or MOA, into their state, comes word the Air Force wants to create a huge new Military Operations area over eastern Nevada... a 24-hundred square mile training area for F-16s flying out of Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

That doesn't sit well at all with a lot of the people living under the proposed MOA -- and not just pilots. Officials in Nevada's White Pine County say limits on building heights would nix plans for two proposed power plants and a wind-power farm.

In Ely, the airport manager says it would interfere with airport operations and kill a burgeoning glider business.

"To the general aviation pilot, the (restricted military area) looks like a no trespassing sign," airport manager Dan Callaghan told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Officials at Hill say the Air Force could adjust the limitation on structural height. As for GA and sport aviation problems... the Air Force says they'd be minimal at most, although one air force official said the newly-proposed range would be closed to all but military flights eight times a year, for a week at a time.

The FAA has twice turned down proposals from Hill to add MOAs in either Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. This time around, the proposal has the attention of Nevada Senator Harry Reid, who says he plans to meet with Air Force officials this week to talk about the idea.

If approved, the new MOA would be a big addition to military airspace over Nevada. Some officials estimate about half the state is already covered by military training areas.

FMI: www.af.mil