Section 6. IR Route Use

1. SCHEDULING

1. Each IR route must have a designated military unit responsible for scheduling all military flights intending to use the IR route. If the designated military unit does not have a continuous point of contact; i.e., a unit subject to deployment or a unit not available during normal work days (ANG unit working Wednesday-Sunday), then an alternate scheduling agency must be designated. All flights on the IR route will be scheduled through the primary or alternate scheduling agency.
2. The scheduling activity must confirm on a daily basis (to the extent practicable, prior to 2400 hours) with the tie-in FSS of the planned utilization of the route. Unless otherwise agreed to, such scheduling must be accomplished at least 2 hours prior to use. Scheduling agencies must provide an hourly schedule for each route which includes route number, aircraft type and number, proposed entry/exit time, and altitude. Scheduling agencies should make every effort to pass changes as soon as possible to the tie-in FSS when a particular route is closed or a scheduled aircraft cancels.

1. For special missions such as ORI, IR scheduling may occur well in advance of route use. In such cases, the scheduling unit may require a written confirmation prior to actual route utilization by the using unit.

1. LETTERS OF AGREEMENT − IR

1. A letter of agreement, when required, must be concluded between the military scheduling activity and the ARTCC/CERAP/HCF in whose area the IR originates. This ARTCC/CERAP/HCF responsibility may be performed by any affected ATC facility if so coordinated and agreed to. The letter of agreement, governing special conditions of use and procedures, must be authorized (signed) by the affected ATC facility air traffic manager and the military representatives of the originating/scheduling activity.
2. Each IR will have a designated military office responsible for scheduling all military flights, regardless of command/service, for use of the IR. IRs must not be used for military training unless scheduled. When the use of an IR is requested by a military user, the military scheduling activity has the responsibility for scheduling the flight and advising the user of the operational procedures contained in the letter of agreement.

1. TIE−IN FLIGHT SERVICE STATION

The tie-in FSS for the scheduling activity is specified in FAA Order JO 7110.10, Flight Services. Tie-in FSSs must be on the ARTCC/CERAP/HCF distribution list to receive copies and changes to all letters of agreement concerning IRs.

1. ADVISORY AND OPERATIONAL STATUS MESSAGES

When requested by the scheduling activity, ATC may relay advisory/operational messages to participating aircraft.

1. FLIGHT PLAN REQUIREMENTS

1. All IR operations must be conducted on IFR flight plans or approved altitude reservations.
2. Unless otherwise agreed to, flight plans must be filed in accordance with the following format:

1. The entry fix in terms of fix/radial/distance (FRD), route designator, and exit fix in terms of FRD followed by the balance of the route of flight. The entry and exit fix must be associated with a fix on the route, and the entry fix must be prior to the exit fix on the route.

1. Routes having re-entries for a single Electronic Scoring Site (ESS) must contain the entry or alternate entry fix in terms of FRD, the route designator followed immediately by a plus sign (+), either the letter “R” (1st ESS) or “S” (2nd ESS), and a digit indicating the number of re-entries.

1. Routes having re-entries for two ESS sites must contain the entry/alternate fix in terms of FRD, the route designator followed immediately by a plus sign (+), the letter “R” and a digit indicating the number of re-entries on the first ESS, immediately followed by a second plus sign (+), the letter “S” and a digit indicating the number of re-entries on the second ESS.

1. ESS routes must be entered and exited at the respective primary fix. Alternate ESS routes must be entered/exited at the alternate entry/exit fix. The routes must be identified by an individual name.

1. Remarks.

1. The remarks portion of a flight plan containing an IR must be consolidated into groups containing the following data if appropriate. Information contained in the route of flight section of the military flight plan need not be repeated in the remarks section.

1. Group One.

1. IR designator; e.g., IR101.
2. The letter “E” and a four-digit time group indicating the entry/alternate entry time.
3. The letter “X” and a four-digit time group indicating the exit/alternate exit time.

1. Group Two. Any other remarks not contained in Group One may be separated by blank spaces, dashes, or slant bars for the sake of clarity.

1. Group One remarks must be formatted in consecutive sequence without blank spaces in accordance with the following:

1. Flight plans where the entire route of flight remains within the ARTCC's area in which the flight departed:

1. Clear weather symbol ( ).
2. IR designator.
3. Group One remarks.
4. Group Two remarks if appropriate.

1. Flight plans where the route of flight enters more than one ARTCC's area and an IR is completed before the aircraft exits the ARTCC's area in which the flight departed:

1. Overcast weather symbol ( ).
2. IR designator.
3. Group One remarks.
4. Clear weather symbol ( ).
5. Group Two remarks if appropriate.

1. Flight plans where the route of flight enters more than one ARTCC's area and an IR is completed after the aircraft has exited the ARTCC's area where the aircraft departed:

1. Clear weather symbol ( ).
2. IR designator.
3. Group One remarks.
4. Group Two remarks if appropriate.

1. Flight plans where the route of flight enters more than one ARTCC's area and an IR is completed after the aircraft has exited the ARTCC's area where the aircraft departed, and the Group Two remarks are concluded before exiting the ARTCC's area in which the flight departed.

1. Overcast weather symbol ( ).
2. Group Two remarks.
3. Clear weather symbol ( ).
4. IR designator.
5. Group One remarks.

1. IR USE DENIAL

ATC facilities should not deny the use of IRs. ATC delays may be imposed when conditions preclude route usage as scheduled. When delays are anticipated, ATC facilities must advise the pilot/scheduling unit of the expected delay and the reasons for the delay.

1. ROUTE ADHERENCE

Pilots must be responsible for:

1. Remaining within the confines of the published route width and altitude.
2. Obtaining a specific ATC entry clearance from the appropriate ATC facility prior to entering the IR.
3. Unless otherwise agreed to in a letter of agreement, obtaining an IFR ATC exit clearance prior to exiting the IR.
4. Adhering to the provisions of 14 CFR Section 91.119 (Minimum Safe Altitude, General). Routes may be flown IFR contrary to 14 CFR Section 91.177 (Minimum Altitude for IFR Operations) when specifically authorized by the appropriate military authority.

1. SPEED AUTHORIZATION

Flight must be conducted at the minimum speed compatible with mission requirements. When exiting an MTR below 10,000 feet MSL, the flight must comply with 14 CFR Section 91.117 (aircraft speed) or the current authorization granted to DoD. (See Appendix 4, Speed Authorization Granted to DoD).

1. ENTRY/EXIT PROCEDURES

All IR entries and exits must be accomplished at published entry and exit points, or published alternate entry and exit points, unless the pilot amends/cancels their IFR flight plan.

1. COMMUNICATION FAILURE

Unless otherwise covered in a letter of agreement, each pilot who has a two-way radio communications failure when operating on an IR (between the entry and exit point) must comply as follows:

1. VFR Conditions. If the failure occurs in VFR conditions, or if VFR conditions are encountered after the failure, each pilot must continue the flight VFR and land as soon as practical. (14 CFR Section 91.185b/DoD IFR Supplement.)
2. IFR Conditions. If the failure occurs in IFR conditions, or if subparagraph a above cannot be complied with, each pilot must:

1. Maintain to the exit/alternate exit point, the higher of the following:

1. The minimum IFR altitude for each of the remaining route segment(s).
2. The highest altitude assigned in the last ATC clearance.

1. Depart the exit/alternate exit point at the altitude determined in subparagraph 1 above; then climb/descend to the altitude filed in the flight plan for the remainder of the flight.

1. LOST COMMUNICATIONS TRANSPONDER OPERATIONS

Refer to transponder procedures in the DoD FLIP, the DoD IFR Supplement, and the AIM.

1. SEPARATION OF PARTICIPATING AIRCRAFT

1. To the extent practicable, IRs should be established for standard ATC services and approved separation applied between individual aircraft.
2. If the provisions of subparagraph a above cannot be applied because of mission requirements, crossing routes, or ATC limitations, routes may be designated for MARSA operations. The procedures for applying MARSA must be contained in the letter of agreement between the scheduling unit and the appropriate ATC facility. Specific MARSA operating procedures must be contained in the DoD FLIP AP/1B and AP/3 narrative description of the route.

1. When MARSA is provided through route scheduling and circumstances prevent the pilot from entering the route within established time limits, it must be the responsibility of the pilot to inform the ATC facility and advise of their intentions.