Originally Posted by
BDGERJMN
Shack, well said!
Although I always did question mutual use airspace in the TRACOM environment once I had enough experience to know better(student solos/midair potential etc.), the old addage of thats the way we do it so let's continue to do it seems to work for the most part but certainly could be done a bit different. For those that question that environment because of the AF upbringing I would submit it's just what you're used to. USN/USMC training and fleet squadrons alike generally utilize mutual use airspace in addition to exclusive use airspace. It provides alot of flexiblity to OPS shops for 1v1, FCF, FAM/FORM type flights. Arguably it's next to impossible to work AIC in that type of airspace so we tend not to do that. The TRACOM environment in my experience as a student and as an IP at the FRS level is so fluid and changes so often that 'hard scheduling' that many sorties in assigned airspace invariably becomes a train wreck especially when competing with multiple squadrons/wings for that airspace. Sure it could be managed better at the ODO level but generally it seems to work.
All the airspace comments are true - but I DO like the way it is done on the east coast (USN/USMC) better than out here on the west coast.
Off Beaufort/Oceana - there was mutual use airsapce - but the Wing/MAG tried to schedule that airspace by squadron so it was *somewhat* scheduled and you could work around. Then there was the hard scheduled exclusive use areas (the Xray areas) where as the Yankee areas were always mutual use. Out here in the *weird* coast and the R-2508 airspace it is how UAL T38 explains - just first come, first serve, grab what you can, and work around everyone else airspace. YUCK!
Almost weekly hazreps and or stories to share about NMACs and close calls or work arounds.
USMCFLYR
PS - that explanation wasn't for you BDGERJMN, I know that you know how it all works