Restricted Area
 

My local airport is near a restricted area that is in operation "By NOTAM 24 hours in advance." This is what is listed in the sectional chart for the area in question.

Does this mean that I can call flight service the night before, and if there is no NOTAM for the restricted area, I am clear to fly through it the next morning with no further clearance or ATC communications?

Sounds like it but I would call FSS or ATC as late as you can to ask before taking off if it was me...

I would get a clearance from ATC to fly through any restricted area - that would be my total CYB advice. Which restricted area is it?

USMCFLYR

2503A and 2503D.

I've flown IFR on V23 dozens of times, and that goes right through 2503D. But sometimes it'd be nice to just go flying along the coast and not make 20 radio calls to 5 controllers.

I used to fly out of CRQ and OCN about 1.5 years ago....

Check the A/FD for the Frequency for "Longrifle Range Control" at Camp Pendleton Airport. It is a VHF frequency as I recall. They are the controlling agency for R2503 and will be able to tell you whether they are "hot or cold". Also check the top of the San Diego Sectional or TAC Chart legend for applicable altitudes. I do not recall specifics (and do not have the chart readily available), but I remember something about R2503 A & D not being a factor as long as the coastal route is flown above or below a certain altitude.

2503D must be new, I don't recall that one.

IIRC, A was for low altitude tacair, B was for artillery (and maybe air too), C was for high alt tacair.

A and B were used for routine marine training ops, C was used rarely (marine pilots are supposed to be down in the mud with the troops, not doing ACM up high.

But yeah, check with LR. I'd be more worried about B...arty rounds can't see and avoid.

Offensive Air Support is one of the core missions of Marine Aviation and control of the air is one of the requirements for effective Close Air Support. Some Marine pilots even ENJOY BFM and ACM :p)

USMCFLYR

you will know when its 'hot'.......i was instructing a night flight in a multi when a back seater stated something along the lines of "what the hell is that". so all of us in the plane were starring out the window when all of a sudden a red line was pointing at something in the mountains. after watching for a bit, found out it was a helicopter shooting at swamp rats(star wars lol). not sure what the chopper was shooting at but looked like fun as long as you weren't on the receiving end of that gun fire.