Significantly for these working plane close to navy bases, nevertheless, there may be one other type of airspace utilized by the navy that’s nearly unknown to the final aviation neighborhood and isn’t even technically categorised as SUA. These areas are referred to as Low Altitude Tactical Navigation areas or LATNs. They don’t seem to be talked about within the Aeronautical Data Guide, usually are not charted, usually are not talked about in notams, and are largely unknown, even to FAA controllers. No coordination between the navy and the FAA is required for them and you may solely examine these areas in U.S. Air Pressure inner paperwork.
LATNs are designed to permit navy plane to conduct VFR operations outdoors of designated SUA and to permit them to keep away from flying over the identical terrain repeatedly as they’d on navy coaching routes— this offers them with a extra reasonable coaching setting.
Though a LATN space could seem like a thriller to some pilots, it’s really outlined airspace that doesn’t prohibit GA and that may solely be utilized by navy plane following an evaluation of the native space that determines whether or not the navy VFR flights could have a major affect on civil aviation. (Whereas uncommon, a proper environmental evaluation, together with alternative for public remark, can comply with that native evaluation.)
The bottom line is that navy plane working in LATNs should adhere to the federal aviation laws and the identical VFR climate and velocity restrictions as civilian pilots. This implies no aggressive navy maneuvering such as you may see in a MOA. They’re, fairly merely, VFR visitors that occurs to be navy.
That mentioned, LATNs do have an effect and nonetheless current some stage of threat, since plane working in them could be flying at low altitudes (sometimes between 500 and 1,500 ft) and at comparatively excessive velocity—as much as 250 knots. Moreover, a low-flying Fairchild Republic A–10 or Lockheed Martin C–130 would doubtless take the typical, unsuspecting GA pilot abruptly.
This may particularly be a priority for civilian pilots conducting crop-dusting, aerial firefighting, helicopter, and different low-level operations. Sizzling air balloons, glider operations, unmanned plane system operations, and different aviation actions that happen off airport can be affected.
LATNs could be established anyplace in U.S. airspace, can be utilized (or not used) every day, and sometimes cowl a pretty big space. Nevertheless, they’re normally situated close to main navy coaching complexes, giving pilots at the least some clue as to the place to count on them.
If you’re involved about encountering navy plane in these areas, or need extra info on an encounter you have got had, pilots (or anybody else for that matter) can inquire with the general public affairs workplace on the nearest navy base. Actually, if you happen to function an plane at low altitude in the identical area as a base, AOPA recommends proactively reaching out for extra info. Often, the general public affairs contact info is available on every base’s web site and most bases will share details about LATNs if requested. Additionally it is a good suggestion to ask concerning the wing’s Mid-Air Collision Avoidance program, which offers precious details about their flying operations.
Though there is no such thing as a required coordination with the FAA, an environmental evaluation and accompanying documentation (in accordance with 32 CFR Half 989, Environmental Impression Evaluation Course of (EIAP)), is required to create a LATN. This normally leads to public engagement within the type of draft and closing environmental assessments being revealed.
The overwhelming majority of Division of Protection officers are desirous to be good neighbors and can do their greatest to make lodging if their flights could also be a difficulty. For instance, navy models frequently work with farmers who’ve fields needing aerial remedy, or who’ve cattle giving beginning, throughout sure occasions of the yr. When they’re made conscious, pilots will make sure that to keep away from these areas throughout these occasions.
As a aspect be aware, contacting a base’s public affairs workplace with any associated aviation issues is welcomed—answering questions from the general public is why these places of work exist.
One final twist: Many of those navy plane are working underneath an FAA exemption (offered by way of a change to FAR 91.225(f)(1) in 2019) that enables for “delicate authorities mission[s]” to fly with out utilizing ADS-B Out. For almost all of GA pilots utilizing automation within the cockpit, and for the numerous that depend on ADS-B for collision avoidance, this and the presence of LATNs ought to function one other reminder to all the time hold your eyes outdoors the cockpit, notably when flying VFR close to navy bases.
—By Jim McClay, AOPA director of airspace, air visitors, and safety
