Private Pilot Flight Training and Instruction Flight Training Article Library | Back To 4VFR.COM Military Training Routes (MTR) If you find that your flight will intersect an MTR route, be sure to have the FSS run a check on its activity schedule as part of your preflight. Routing or separation protects IFR pilots. MTR allow military flights to operate at higher speeds than are normally allowed below 10,000 feet. Light gray lines on sectional for military training without 250-kt speed restriction. VFR listed as VR#### (4 numbers) at or below 1500 of surface. Terrain following only if visibility is over 5 nautical miles. IFR listed as IR### (three numbers) is usually flown above 1500’. Speeds above 250 knots are relatively common. Actual flight width covers several miles especially where the lines intersect. FSS should have current status list and should be contacted if routes conflict with your route of flight. Consider all routes hot and requiring clicking eyeballs. Military speeds will be in excess of 250 knots. At 250 knots it only takes 14.4 seconds for an aircraft to ‘bloom’ full size on your windshield. MTR routes extend for ten miles to each side of the thin gray line shown on the sectional. The width varies for each segment and is not depicted. As part of your weather briefing the FSS will give you MTR information within 100 miles of your flight route but you must ask. MTR information should be asked of a weather briefer any time you make a cross-country flight that will take you in the vicinity of a MTR. The information you get will include the times and altitudes of activity. Written by Gene Whitt Flight Training Article Library | Back To 4VFR.COM