FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)Airspace and Operating RequirementsHard
A remote pilot reviewing a sectional chart for an upcoming flight notices a route labeled 'IR 1076' crossing the planned operating area. What does this designation indicate?
- AAn IFR Military Training Route flown by military aircraft, often at high speed and low altitude.
- BA restricted area requiring prior permission from the FAA before any flight.
- CAn instrument refueling corridor reserved exclusively for commercial airline traffic.
- DAn international reporting boundary used for cross-border UAS coordination.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. An IFR Military Training Route flown by military aircraft, often at high speed and low altitude.
'IR' denotes an IFR Military Training Route, while 'VR' denotes a VFR Military Training Route. These routes are used by military aircraft for low-altitude, high-speed training. A four-digit route number (such as 1076) indicates the route includes segments flown at or below 1,500 feet AGL, requiring extra vigilance for UAS operations in the area.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Restricted areas use an 'R-' prefix with a number, not 'IR' route notation.
- C. There is no FAA designation called an 'instrument refueling corridor'; this distractor is fabricated.
- D. Military Training Routes have no connection to international reporting or cross-border UAS coordination.
Military Training Route (MTR)
Routes used by military aircraft for low-altitude, high-speed training flights, charted as IR (IFR) or VR (VFR) routes on sectional charts.
- IR = IFR Military Training Route; VR = VFR Military Training Route
- Four-digit route numbers indicate some segment at or below 1,500 ft AGL
- Three-digit or fewer numbers indicate a segment above 1,500 ft AGL
- UAS pilots should exercise caution near charted MTRs due to fast, low military traffic
Memory trick: 'IR flies by Instruments, four digits fly low' — 1076 means low-altitude risk.