9-2-6

IFR Military Training Routes

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

Except for aircraft operating in the same altitude reservation, clear aircraft into an MTR provided separation will be applied between successive aircraft unless otherwise covered in a letter of agreement between the military scheduling activity and the concerned ATC facility.
Phraseology

CLEARED INTO IR (designator).
MAINTAIN (altitude),

or
MAINTAIN IR (designator) ALTITUDE(S),
or
MAINTAIN AT OR BELOW (altitude),
or
CRUISE (altitude),
and if required,
CROSS (fix) AT OR LATER THAN (time).
Unless otherwise covered in a letter of agreement between the military scheduling activity and the concerned FAA facility, clear aircraft to exit an MTR.
Phraseology

CLEARED TO (destination/clearance limit) FROM IR (designator/exit fix) VIA (route).
MAINTAIN (altitude).
If the provisions of subparagraph a above cannot be accomplished, MTRs may be designated for MARSA operations. To preclude an inadvertent compromise of MARSA standards by ATC, appropriate MARSA application for such routes must be covered in a letter of agreement with the military scheduling activity. Establish separation between aircraft as soon as practicable after operation on the designated MARSA route is ended.
Note

For designated MARSA routes, the military assumes responsibility for separation for MTR aircraft that have passed the primary/alternate entry fix until separation is established by ATC after operations on the MARSA route are completed.
The lateral airspace to be protected along an MTR is the designated width of the route.
Prior to an aircraft entering an MTR, request the pilot's estimate for the route's exit/alternate exit fix, the pilot's requested altitude after exiting and, if applicable, the number of reentries on a Strategic Training Range.
Phraseology

(Call sign) VERIFY YOUR EXIT FIX ESTIMATE AND REQUESTED ALTITUDE AFTER EXIT,
and if applicable,
THE NUMBER OF REENTRIES.
Forward estimates for exit/alternate exit fixes, requested altitude after exit, and, if applicable, the number of reentries on the Strategic Training Range.
Apply the procedures of paragraph 6-1-2, Nonreceipt of Position Report, based upon the pilot's estimate for the route exit fix.
Clearance may be issued to amend or restrict operations on a route for ATC considerations. Where a route has been designated MARSA in accordance with subparagraph c, ATC must not amend or restrict operations in such a manner as to compromise MARSA provisions.
Note

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 his/her intentions.
If an aircraft on an IR experiences a two‐way radio communications failure and you are unable to determine if the aircraft is proceeding VFR in accordance with 14 CFR section 91.185(b) or the aircraft has not been positively radar identified:
1. Provide separation to the destination airport based on the aircraft complying with the following:
  1. Maintain to the exit/alternate exit fix the higher of the following altitudes:
    1. The minimum IFR altitude for each of the remaining route segment(s) remaining on the route.
    2. The highest altitude assigned in the last ATC clearance.
  2. Depart the exit/alternate exit fix at the appropriate altitude specified in subparagraph (a) above, then climb/descend to the altitude filed in the flight plan for the remainder of the flight, or
    Note
    
    In the event of a two‐way communications failure, ATC will be based on the following anticipated pilot action at the exit fix. Unless otherwise covered in a letter of agreement, and if the pilot is unable to comply with the VFR provisions of 14 CFR section 91.185/FLIP IFR Supplement, the pilot will exercise his/her emergency authority, squawk transponder Code 7700, depart the exit/alternate exit fix and climb/descend (continuing to squawk 7700) to the altitude filed in the flight plan. Subsequent transponder operations will be in accordance with paragraph 10-4-4, Communications Failure. Air traffic controller action from the exit fix is as prescribed in paragraph 10-1-1, Emergency Determinations.
  3. Proceed in accordance with the lost communication procedure contained in letters of agreement.
2. Continue to monitor the last ATC assigned discrete code.
  Note
  
  Pilots who experience a two‐way radio failure will adjust their transponder to Code 7700 during climb/descent to altitude filed for the next leg of the flight plan; then change to Code 7600 for a period of 15 minutes. At the end of each 15-minute period, he/she will squawk 7700 for a period of 1 minute; all other times he/she will squawk 7600.
Impose delays, if needed, to eliminate conflict with nonparticipating IFR aircraft when necessary to preclude denial of IR usage. Advise the pilot of the expected length and reason for delay.