Definition
A defined route used by military aircraft to conduct low-altitude, high-speed training flights, often below 10,000 feet MSL and at speeds in excess of 250 knots. MTRs are jointly developed by the FAA and the Department of Defense and are depicted on aeronautical charts as IR (IFR) or VR (VFR) routes followed by an identifying number.
Plain English
An MTR is a charted corridor of airspace where military jets are allowed to fly fast and low for training. Civilian pilots need to know where these routes are so they can watch out for fast-moving military traffic.
Context Anchor
Seen on aeronautical charts and during preflight route planning, especially when a planned flight crosses or passes near a marked military training route.
Why Pilots Care
Civilian pilots need to know these routes to stay alert for high-speed military aircraft that may not be on ATC frequencies or radar.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an MTR is the same as a closed or restricted area. It is a charted route where military training flights may occur, and civilian pilots need to be alert when nearby.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot noticed her route crossed VR-1644 and called Flight Service to check whether the military training route was active that morning.
Example Sentence 2
Military traffic on the MTR was operating at 400 knots below 1,000 feet AGL.