By Andy Durbin
Most Arizona pilots will have heard that the floors of some MOAs will be, or have been, lowered to the surface. Did you know that fast jets are also operating down to the surface outside of charted MOAs? I didn't until I was walking around at Buzzard Roost after landing there earlier this year. For those that don't know Buzzard Roost, it's a hilltop landing area about 20 NM SE of Payson that is enjoyed by pilots of aircraft with larger than normal tires.
The first flight of two jets passed by maybe 500 ft AGL and a bit to the South. I waved but saw no reaction. Some time later I heard more jet engines. This time I picked up the lead aircraft as he approached from the West close to the ridgetops. The lead then dived down to follow the West to East section of the road that runs from the ranch to the junction North of the landing area. The lead passed by the landing area down in the valley and well below my eye level. Number two followed about 500 feet higher. The pair then swept around to the southeast, mostly flying below ridge height.
I didn't positively identify the aircraft, but I suspect they may have been Dornier Alpha Jets. I enjoyed watching them from the ground, but I probably would not have enjoyed having one above and one below, head on, as I turned left base.
Lead of flight two was in the valley below the spinner of my FX-3 in this photo:
After I had submitted the first draft of this article, I was told that Buzzard Roost is close to Military Training Route VR239. I confirmed that by plotting the position of Buzzard Roost (red dot) on the Phoenix sectional chart.
I called Flight Service to ask for information about VR239 activity. It was obvious that this briefer was not often asked about military training routes, and it took him over 15 minutes to find any information. He reported that VR239 was listed as active 0600-2400 local time Monday to Friday and also as notified by NOTAM. He had no information on what specific times it would be in use and suggested that Albuquerque center would have that information.
I plan to assume that fast jets may pass by, or over, Buzzard Roost at high speed and very low level. The next time I head that way, I'll contact Albuquerque to find out if they are in contact with traffic using the route.