Last weekend I did a cross country trip in a small airplane. We flew to Bakersfield, California. Not a particularly exciting destination for traditional venues of fun, but there was an IMAC Airplane contest there.
While flying 10,500 at 125mph I notice that we are rapidly approaching some airspace. For those that don’t know, Airspace is the equivalent of lanes on a highway. It separates different types of air traffic so everyone can play nicely. As you can imagine, having 747’s flying around in the same area as Crop dusters could create something of a problem.
As we’re approaching the airspace, I break out a chart and look to see if I can get some more information about it. The GPS was saying RES MOA Mojave. Seemed reasonable enough. The chart confirmed my suspicions that we seemed to be busting this airspace like Chris Hanson on to Catch A Predator.
Now, relatively sure of our whereabouts and the situation, I piped up. “I think we’re in some restricted airspace.” I said to my friend sitting in the left seat. I kind of pointed to the purple line on the GPS, hoping it would add to my credibility. “Well, We’re on flight following, they’d probably let us know.” He said. And that kind of rang true in my mind.
So, I stuck my face back in the chart to find some more information about the MOA, still unsure of what MOA stood for. After burying my face in the chart for another minute I mention again, “I’m pretty sure we’re in this MOA Space here and we’re not supposed to be… and we can fly a couple minutes outside of it pretty easily.” I said. Whilst discussing the merits of what this would accomplish, the radio chimes in, “8 SIERRA ECHO FOXTROT, YOU’VE BREACHED AN ACTIVE MOA AIRSPACE FOR EDWARDS AIRFORCE BASE. TURN HEADING 170 IMMEDIATE LEFT TURN.”
The right wing of the airplane shot skyward as we turned left. In the distance I saw an airport … It was Edwards AirForce base.
As I was standing at the contest Saturday morning it had become clear to me why the MOA was active. A double sonic boom hit my chest pretty hard. It was the Space Shuttle, and it was landing at Edwards Airforce Base that morning. So, you know, My bad and all that.
Oooops