A Guide to Compatible Planning Near the Nellis Complex

Introduction

Welcome to the Nellis Complex compatible land use planning mapping portal. This website provides information enabling property owners, residents, developers, and other interested parties to be aware of and understand potential compatibility concerns when considering new development or using land around the Nellis Complex. It also contains actions that can be taken to address such concerns.

This website was created as a follow-up to the Nellis Complex Compatible Use Plan (CUP), which was completed in March 2021. The CUP is a compatible land use planning tool that was developed through the collaborative efforts of a comprehensive set of stakeholders including Clark County, Lincoln County, Nye County, the City of Las Vegas, the City of North Las Vegas, the Town of Beatty, the Air Force, the public, and other stakeholders. Through the CUP, compatible and incompatible land uses and activities were identified around the Nellis Complex and assessed for potential impacts on property owners and Air Force missions. The outcome of the plan was a set of recommended strategies to guide compatible land use and growth around the Nellis Complex. The strategies are designed to support military operations, protect property owners, and help the region’s economic growth opportunities.

For more information on the CUP, click the buttons below to download the documents.

Nellis Complex Overview

The Nellis Complex directly employs approximately 15,000 people and supports an additional 50,000 people as dependents or military retirees. There are roughly 9,800 Active Duty military personnel; 1,500 Reserve/Air National Guard members; 2,100 civilians; and 1,400 contractors employed by the complex. Nellis AFB, Creech AFB, and the NTTR are important components of the local, regional, and state economies, contributing an annual economic impact of over $5.25 billion.


Interactive Mapping Tool

The interactive map can be used to generally assess whether your property lies within one of the Nellis Complex Military Compatibility Areas described below. For further information about whether your property is within one of these footprints, contact the Clark County Comprehensive Planning Department or other appropriate jurisdiction planning department depending where your property is located.

Disclaimer: This product is for informational purposes and may not have been prepared for or not be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. It does not represent an on-the-ground survey and represents only the approximate relative location of property boundaries, Nellis Complex Military Compatibility Areas/mission footprints, and other data.

What is Compatibility Planning?

In relation to military readiness, compatibility can be defined as the balance or compromise between community needs and interests and military needs and interests. The goal of compatibility planning is to promote a collaborative environment in which both community and military entities communicate and coordinate in the identification and implementation of mutually supportive actions that allow both parties to achieve their objectives.

Mission activities conducted on and around the Nellis Complex can impact or be impacted by surrounding communities if incompatible land uses are developed. Examples of potential impacts of the Air Force mission include noise and vibration from aircraft and the risk of an aircraft mishap. Conversely, the military mission is susceptible to hazards and other incompatible uses created by certain types of civilian development or activities, such as vertical obstructions to air space; uses that attract birds causing safety concerns; and civilian drone operations where aircraft fly.

How to Find Out More Information

More information on the specific military mission footprints that relate to compatible uses are described on this site, under the “Compatibility Area” headings for each installation.


Nellis AFB

Nellis AFB is organized under Air Combat Command. Often referred to as the "Home of the Warfighter," Nellis AFB houses the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC), which manages the largest and most demanding advanced air combat training mission in the world. Nellis AFB provides realistic advanced composite strike force training for the U.S. Air Force, other armed services, and air and ground units from allied nations. Air combat training capabilities can accommodate virtually every type of aircraft used by the Air Force, air and ground units from the Army, Navy, and Marines, and air units from allied nations. Units and organizations based at Nellis AFB also perform operational tests and evaluations of weapon systems, develop, and evaluate combat tactics for pilots, and maintain combat-ready forces for worldwide deployment.

Nellis AFB Compatibility Areas

The Nellis AFB Compatibility Areas are the geographic areas around the base associated with different types of operational activities. Mission activities conducted on and around Nellis AFB may negatively impact or may be negatively impacted by surrounding communities if incompatible land uses are developed near operational areas. Examples of potential mission impacts on surrounding communities include noise and vibration from flight activities and the risk of an aircraft accident. Conversely, military missions are susceptible to hazards and other incompatibilities created by certain types of civilian development and/or activities. These incompatibilities can include obstructions to airspace, or the location of noise sensitive uses in high noise zones. Understanding the spatial patterns of compatibility zones as defined by mission footprints is essential to promoting compatible and informed land use decisions.

Noise

What Are Noise Zones?

To help property owners, developers, and planners anticipate noise levels around military airfields and airports, day-night average sound level (DNL) noise contours are modeled in increments of decibels (dB), with associated noise contours representing the farthest points away from an airfield where each DNL can be expected. The DNL measure is considered a reliable measure of community sensitivity to aircraft noise and has become a standard metric used to map aircraft noise impacts. The geographic expanse between DNL contours — where different land uses are considered compatible or not recommended based on noise sensitivity — are called Airport Environs Subdistricts.

Aircraft noise levels at Nellis AFB are influenced by several factors including weather, flight frequency, aircraft type, flight altitude, and flight paths. NOISEMAP noise modeling software was used to develop the DNL noise contours at Nellis AFB ranging from 65 to 80 DNL, with the 85 DNL contour being the loudest. The Airport Environs Subdistricts for noise are made up of the area between noise contours increasing in increments of five dB. The current noise contours for Nellis AFB were developed in 2017, and may change in the future if flight missions at the base change.

Is Your Property Affected?

Properties in Airport Environs Subdistricts are likely to experience higher noise levels than properties outside the subdistricts, and noise-sensitive land uses may be negatively impacted. Before developing new land uses or expanding existing ones on property near Nellis AFB, owners and developers should know whether the property is located in an Airport Environs Subdistrict and what steps they may wish to take to reduce interior noise levels.

To find out whether your property is in a noise zone, contact the Clark County Comprehensive Planning Department at (702) 455-4314 or the City of North Las Vegas Planning and Zoning Department at (702) 633-1537, depending which jurisdiction your property is in.


Safety Zones

What Are Airfield Safety Zones?

There are three types of airfield safety zones associated with Nellis AFB’s runways and one safety zones for helicopter landing pads.

Clear Zone (CZ)

The CZ begins at both ends of each runway. The CZ for Runway 03L / 21R measures approximately 3,960 feet wide by 3,715 feet long, and the CZ for Runway 03R / 21L measures approximately 3,715 feet wide by 3,715 long. The CZ is the area that has the highest potential of an aircraft incident. It is recommended that no development occur in a CZ unless needed to enhance the safe operation of aircrafts. All the CZs are contained within the boundary of Nellis AFB.

Accident Potential Zone I (APZ I)

The APZ I is the area beginning at the end of each CZ that is farthest from the end of the runway. The APZ I for Runway 03L / 21R measures approximately 3,960 feet wide by 6,190 feet long, and the APZ I for Runway 03R / 21L measures approximately 3,715 feet wide by 6,190 feet long. There is a lower probability of accidents in an APZ I than in a CZ and, therefore, fewer recommended restrictions.

Accident Potential Zone II (APZ II)

The APZ II is the area that begins at the end of each APZ I that is furthest from the end of the runway. The APZ II for Runway 03L / 21R measures approximately 3,960 feet wide by 8,670 feet long, and the APZ II for Runway 03R / 21L measures approximately 3,715 feet wide by 8,670 feet long. The accident potential in an APZ II is even further reduced, and some additional development types are allowed. However, land uses that result in the congregation or clustering of people should be discouraged.

Helicopter Safety Zones

The helipad CZs measure 300 feet wide by 300 feet long, which is composed of 150 feet to each direction from the helipad centerpoint. The APZs extend 150 feet on both the east and west sides of the CZ boundary and 200 feet on the north and south sides. The helipad CZs fall entirely within the boundary of Nellis AFB. The majority of the APZs are within the boundary of Nellis AFB, except for a very small corner of the northern APZ that extends very slightly past the boundary over undeveloped land. There are two areas within the airfield environment that are specifically designated for helicopter landing operations: the Jolly Pad and Transient Pad.

Is Your Property Affected?

The APZ I and APZ II at Nellis AFB extend outside the installation boundary. If you own property within APZ I or APZ II, it may be at a greater risk of potential aircraft mishaps during takeoffs and landings and may be subject to zoning regulations adopted by Clark County. To find out whether your property is in a safety zone, contact the Clark County Comprehensive Planning Department at (702) 455-4314.


Vertical Obstructions

What Are Vertical Obstructions?

Vertical obstructions are objects or structures that encroach into navigable airspace used by the military because of their height. These obstructions may pose safety hazards to both the public and military personnel and may compromise the value of low-level flight training by limiting areas where such training can occur. As a result, military readiness can be negatively affected. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) evaluates vertical obstructions through Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations — commonly known as Part 77 ─ and the FAA and Department of Defense (DoD) have developed imaginary surfaces to identify recommended maximum heights around airfields.

What Are Imaginary Surfaces?

Imaginary surfaces extend around runways in a bowl shape. The imaginary surfaces start at specified heights measured above an established airfield elevation (EAE). Any man-made or natural object that penetrates an imaginary surface is considered an obstruction.

Primary Surface

The primary surface comprises surfaces of the runway, runway shoulders, and lateral safety zones and extends 200 feet beyond each end of the runway. The width of the primary surface for the type of runway at Nellis AFB is 2,000 feet, or 1,000 feet on each side of the runway centerline.

Approach / Departure Clearance Surface

This is an inclined plane, symmetrical relative to the runway centerline, starting at both ends of the primary surface and extending for 50,000 feet. The slope of this surface is 50:1 (50 horizontal feet for one vertical foot) along the extended runway centerline until it reaches an elevation of 500 feet above the EAE (25,000 feet from the starting point). The surface then continues horizontally at this elevation for another 25,000 feet. This surface is the same width as the primary surface where first extending from the end of the runway and then flares uniformly to 16,000 feet wide at its end.

Transitional Surfaces

Transitional surfaces connect the other surfaces to each other, with a slope of 7:1.

Inner Horizontal Surface

This is an oval-shaped plane 150 feet above the EAE. The plane is constructed by scribing an arc with a radius of 7,500 feet about the centerline at each end of the runway and interconnecting these arcs with tangents.

Conical Surface

This inclined surface extends 7,000 feet outward from the inner horizontal surface to 500 feet above the EAE with a slope of 20:1.

Outer Horizontal Surface

This plane is located 500 feet above the EAE. It extends outward from the outer periphery of the conical surface for 30,000 feet.

Helipad Surfaces

The Jolly and Transient helipads also have imaginary surfaces associated with them. These are much smaller than the runway imaginary surfaces, and are made up of only a primary surface, transitional surface, and approach / departure clearance surface. The primary component that goes outside Nellis AFB’s boundaries is the horizontal portion of the approach / departure clearance surface. This extends for approximately 26,200 feet, starting at a width of 750 feet and flaring out to a width of 8,000 feet. The slope of the approach / departure surface is 34:1 until it reaches an elevation of 770 feet above the helipad.

Will Your Proposed Development Create a Vertical Obstruction?

Property owners or developers who propose projects that include structures taller than 200 feet should submit an Obstruction Evaluation form to the FAA to determine whether the structures would constitute vertical obstructions. The FAA may waive height restrictions and approve taller buildings or structures if the obstruction is minimal and certain conditions are met. Vertical obstructions are most likely to occur in the approach/ departure clearance surface. The closer a property is to a runway, the more likely a tall structure will be a vertical obstruction. Vertical obstructions are also a concern in low-level flight areas, which are often close to airfields. Height limitations are associated with each surface to help identify existing and potential obstructions. Structures proposed within the imaginary surfaces should be evaluated based on their height and distance from the airfield to determine whether they pose a vertical obstruction.


Live Ordnance Overflight Corridor

The Live Ordnance Overflight Corridor (LOOC) is a roughly 50-mile corridor between Nellis AFB and the Desert Military Operations Area (MOA) airspace that feeds into the Nellis airspace complex and NTTR. The LOOC is the designated route for military aircraft to transit from Nellis AFB to the MOA with live ordnance. The corridor starts at the northeastern end of Nellis AFB and covers primarily undeveloped land within unincorporated Clark County. Some of the land below is within the City of North Las Vegas. This corridor is a vital component for the military training conducted in the Nellis Complex. Nellis AFB serves as the primary staging and loading area for activities that take place in the NTTR and special use airspace. Roughly 29,000 sorties occur annually between the USAF Weapons School, Red Flag, Green Flag, and participating international allies. Over 70 percent (70%) of these sorties are loaded with live munitions and armament.

Is Your Property Affected?

Properties in LOOC are at a higher risk for mishaps and may be negatively impacted. Before developing new land uses or expanding existing ones, owners and developers should know whether the property is located in the LOOC corridor and what steps they should take.

To find out whether your property is in the LOOC corridor, contact the Clark County Comprehensive Planning Department at (702) 455-4314.


Drone Safety

What Are Drones?

Drones are unmanned aircraft remotely controlled by ground-based operators using wireless communication systems. Drones come in a variety of shapes and sizes and carry out different functions. The military uses highly sophisticated drones, from hand-held to aircraft-sized, and for purposes ranging from surveillance and reconnaissance to tactical and offensive. Civilian drones are typically much smaller than military drones and are most often used for recreational, commercial, or educational purposes. Most civilian drones are multi-rotor designs that use helicopter-style rotors to lift and propel the aircraft; they usually have short- to medium-range capabilities. They can carry small loads like cameras for short distances, adding to their functionality. Some common commercial uses for these types of drones are land survey, aerial photography, and disaster relief support.

Why is the Air Force Concerned About Drones?

Drone operations near the Nellis Complex create two primary concerns for the Air Force — safety and security. Operating drones near the bases, as well as near Harry Reid International Airport and other airports, poses safety risks to pilots, passengers, and the general public due to the risk of aerial collisions and crashes. Drones flown too close to or over the bases also pose security risks, as it is unknown whether they are being used to record operations, other activities or conversations, or whether they are carrying harmful materials such as weapons. These uses may or may not involve nefarious intent but threaten installation security when their purpose is not known.

A DoD policy grants military installations the authority to track, disable, and destroy drones determined to threaten an installation or military mission. Nellis AFB uses various methods to manage drone threats.

How Are Drone Operations Regulated?

The FAA regulates drone usage to ensure safe aircraft operations. FAA regulations limit the use of drones within five miles of large and medium-sized airports and in security-sensitive airspace. The latter includes airspace over military installations, national landmarks, and critical infrastructure such as power plants and transmission lines. The regulations cover two categories of drones: under 55 pounds and over 55 pounds. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rule (14 CFR, Part 107), referred to as the Small UAS Rule, regulates drones under 55 pounds. To operate larger drones, an exemption from the 55-pound weight restriction must be obtained under Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Systems (49 USC 44807). FAA regulations also limit drone operations near airports and military airfields.

The State of Nevada regulates certain types of drone operations and uses and prohibits flight over specific uses under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Title 44 Aeronautics, Chapter 493. In general, Nevada follows FAA drone regulations. The law also prohibits drone operations over critical infrastructure, including military installations such as Nellis AFB (NRS 493.106).


Bird/Wildlife Strike Hazards

What is a Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard?

Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) refers to a possible collision between an animal (usually a bird) and an aircraft. Bird strikes can cause significant damage to aircraft and, in some cases, may render aircraft completely irreparable. Such damage results in delayed air missions and may result in injury or loss of life to aircrews and passengers. Bird strikes can threaten the safety of Nellis AFB pilots and the local community and increase operating costs for the installation.

Nellis AFB maintains a BASH Reduction Plan to monitor and manage potentially harmful bird activity around the airfield. The plan documents that there is a bird strike hazard at Nellis AFB and in its vicinity due to resident and migratory bird species and that daily and seasonal bird movements create various hazardous conditions for military flight operations.

Is Your Property Affected?

Clark County regulates certain types of development. More specifically, Aviaries, where birds cannot be released within the specified distances from the air operations area of the following: 5 miles for Harry Reid International Airport, Nellis AFB, Creech AFB, North Las Vegas Airport or Henderson Executive Airport; 10,000 feet for Jean Airport; and 5,000 feet for Overton Airport or any other airport.

If you own property near Nellis AFB, consider whether new development or activity may attract birds. Certain types of land use and water features, such as feed lots, horse stables, grain crops, waste disposal operations, golf courses, wetlands, water bodies, and fishing operations, have greater potential to attract birds and wildlife and should be carefully considered before their development near the bases. If these uses already exist, keeping them sanitary and installing bird-repelling devices such as netting or life-like scarecrows and predator decoys may reduce bird activity.


Creech AFB

Creech AFB is an integral part of the U.S. Air Force’s remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) program. Its units play a direct role in defending the nation by piloting RPAs involved in missions across the globe. Creech AFB is the home of combat-ready Airmen who fly unmanned aircraft systems to support American and Coalition warfighters. As the home to the famed “Hunters” of the 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing, the installation employs the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system, the only aircraft stationed at the base, to provide real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision attack against fixed and time-critical targets. The Hunters conduct unmanned aircraft system initial qualification training for aircrew, intelligence, weather, and maintenance personnel.

In addition to its RPA missions, Creech AFB serves as the aerial training site for the USAF Thunderbirds and is one of two emergency direct airfields for activities that occur at the NTTR.

Creech AFB Compatibility Areas

Noise

The MQ-9 Reaper aircraft stationed at Creech AFB is fairly quiet when it operates, and it does not have a jet engine that would typically produce loud noise during takeoff. While there is some jet aircraft activity that occurs at Creech AFB, such as during Thunderbird training activities, the noise contours developed for the installation are small and mostly contained within the installation boundary.

For more information on noise zones and general compatibility, refer to “Noise” under “Nellis AFB Compatibility Areas.”

Is Your Property Affected?

The 60 dB noise contour extends outside the western boundary by less than a quarter mile. The land under the areas where the noise contour extends outside the boundary is all undeveloped. To find out whether your property is in a noise zone, contact the Clark County Comprehensive Planning Department at (702) 455-4314.

Safety Zones

Due to the classification and use of the Runway 08 / 26 (main runway) and Runway 13 / 31 (crosswind runway) at Creech AFB, the associated airfield safety zones for each are different. For Runway 08 / 26, the CZ measures approximately 3,750 feet wide by 3,730 feet long, the APZ I measures approximately 3,748 feet wide by 6,220 feet long, and the APZ II measures approximately 3,750 feet wide by 8,710 feet long. For Runway 13 / 31, the CZ measures approximately 1,250 feet wide by 3,740 feet long, the APZ I measures approximately 1,250 feet wide by 3,120 feet long, and the APZ II measures approximately 1,250 feet wide by 3,120 feet long.

For more information on safety zones and general compatibility, refer to “Safety Zones” under “Nellis AFB Compatibility Areas.”

Is Your Property Affected?

The CZs for the main runway are entirely within the boundary of Creech AFB. The APZs I and II for the main runway extend outside the installation boundaries over undeveloped land. Portions of the APZs are within the NTTR. A portion of the northern CZ for the crosswind runway and the entire APZ I and APZ II extend outside the boundary of Creech AFB but are over undeveloped land within the NTTR and Desert National Wildlife Range with no impacts to private property. The southern CZ for the crosswind runway extends approximately 250 feet past Creech AFB over a portion of U.S. Highway 95. The southern APZ I and II extend outside the installation boundary over land that is currently undeveloped.  To find out whether your property is in a noise zone, contact the Clark County Comprehensive Planning Department at (702) 455-4314.

Vertical Obstructions

For more information on vertical obstruction, imaginary surfaces, and general compatibility, refer to “Vertical Obstructions” under “Nellis AFB Compatibility Areas.”

Imaginary Surfaces

Due to the classification and use of the Runway 08 / 26 (main runway) and Runway 13 / 31 (crosswind runway) at Creech AFB, the associated imaginary surfaces for each are different. The imaginary surfaces for the main runway are the same dimensions as those for the runways at Nellis AFB. Since the crosswind runway is smaller, some of the associated imaginary surfaces are also smaller:

  • The primary surface is 500 feet on each side of the runway centerline, for a total width of 1,000 feet. Similar to the primary surface of the main runway, it also extends 200 feet past each end.
  • The approach / departure clearance surfaces extend for 50,000 feet beyond the primary surface. However, the width at the starting point is 1,000 feet and the width at the end point is 14,000 feet.
  • The inner horizontal surface, conical surface, and outer horizontal surface for the crosswind runway are the same dimensions as for the main runway.

Will Your Proposed Development Create a Vertical Obstruction?

Property owners or developers who propose projects that include structures taller than 200 feet should submit an Obstruction Evaluation form to the FAA to determine whether the structures would constitute vertical obstructions. The FAA may waive height restrictions and approve taller buildings or structures if the obstruction is minimal and certain conditions are met. Vertical obstructions are most likely to occur in the approach/ departure clearance surface. The closer a property is to a runway, the more likely a tall structure will be a vertical obstruction. Vertical obstructions are also a concern in low-level flight areas, which are often close to airfields. Height limitations are associated with each surface to help identify existing and potential obstructions. Structures proposed within the imaginary surfaces should be evaluated based on their height and distance from the airfield to determine whether they pose a vertical obstruction.

Drone Safety

For more information on how to operate drones safely and legally around Creech AFB, refer to “Drone Safety” under “Nellis AFB Compatibility Areas.”

Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazards

For more information on bird/wildlife aircraft strike hazards and general compatibility, refer to “Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazards” under “Nellis AFB Compatibility Areas.”

Is Your Property Affected?

If you own property near Creech AFB, consider whether new development or activity may attract birds. Certain types of land use and water features, such as feed lots, horse stables, grain crops, waste disposal operations, golf courses, wetlands, water bodies, and fishing operations, have greater potential to attract birds and wildlife and should be carefully considered before their development near the bases. If these uses already exist, keeping them sanitary and installing bird-repelling devices such as netting or life-like scarecrows and predator decoys may reduce bird activity.


Nevada Test and Training Range

The NTTR and its associated airspace complex provides the largest contiguous air and ground space available for peacetime military operations in the free world. The range occupies 2.9 million acres (approximately 4,531 square miles) of land — spanning across Clark, Lincoln, and Nye Counties — 5,000 square miles of airspace that is restricted from civilian air traffic overflight, and another 7,000 square miles of MOA special use airspace that is shared with civilian aircraft. The 12,000-square-nautical mile range provides a realistic arena for operational testing and training aircrews to improve combat readiness. A wide variety of live munitions can be employed on targets throughout the range.

The land is withdrawn from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is used and managed by the USAF. A portion of the NTTR is co-managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as part of the Desert National Wildlife Range. The NTTR provides unique aircraft training capabilities due to its size, remote location, and excellent flying weather. The NTTR is part of DoD’s Major Range and Test Facility Base enterprise, consisting of both installations and ranges. The Major Range and Test Facility Base encompass the largest and most fully equipped ranges, designed to test and evaluate military capabilities to support the DoD acquisition system and sustain combat readiness. The NTTR is a national security infrastructure asset, the management of which is charged to the Air Force but includes activities associated with all DoD entities, as well as the Department of Energy and Homeland Security.

As a Major Range Test Facility Base activity, the NTTR supports the Department of Defense advanced composite force training, tactics development, and electronic combat testing as well as DoD and DOE testing, research, and development. The NTTR, as ROA supports numerous Red Flag and U.S. Air Force Weapons School exercises each year, as well as various test and tactics development missions.  One of the primary objectives of NTTR is to support the USAFWC mission, which is, in part, to develop full spectrum capabilities through responsive, realistic, and relevant testing, tactics development, and advanced training across all levels of war. Two major components of the NTTR mission is supporting test and evaluation (T&E) and training.

The NTTR supports the USAF Weapons School and “Red Flag” exercises, as well as other major training events. The USAF Weapons School has a graduate level training program as the USAF’s most advanced training program with squadrons dedicated to each weapon system. Red Flag is a realistic major combat exercise involving large‐scale U.S. air forces and allies. Aircraft and personnel from across the country and from allied nations deploy to Nellis AFB under the Air Expeditionary Force concept of large‐scale exercises, incorporating a full spectrum of air and space operations.

NTTR Compatibility Areas

There are several elements that make up the mission footprints that extend outside the NTTR land withdrawal boundaries. These essential elements play a key role in the installation’s viability for sustaining current and future mission operations and should be considered when assessing compatibility.

Restricted Area Airspace

Restricted Areas are established to denote the existence of unusual, often invisible hazards to aircraft such as aerial gunnery, missiles, artillery firing, and ground target attacks. Flying into Restricted Areas may be extremely hazardous for non-authorized aircraft and is legally prohibited. The airspace over the withdrawn land that makes up the NTTR is Restricted Area airspace. All of these areas are used for operations that are hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft; however, during certain times, R-4806E, R‑4806W, R-4807A, R-4807B, and R-4809 are authorized for use by other aircraft with certain restrictions. The Nellis Air Traffic Control Facility is the controlling agency for these Restricted Areas, except for R-4808N and R‑4808S, which are controlled by the Department of Energy.

Military Operations Area Airspace

A Military Operations Area (MOA) is airspace designated outside of Class A airspace that separates certain nonhazardous military activities from instrument flight rule traffic and identifies where these activities are conducted for visual flight rule traffic. Air traffic control assigned airspace (ATCAA) is essentially a MOA at and above 18,000 feet. Training areas within the NTTR and airspace complex are supplemented through the designation of MOAs to the north and east of the Restricted Areas. There are three separate MOAs that make up the non-restricted portions of the airspace complex. The Desert, Reveille North, and Reveille South MOAs support aircraft operations including high-speed operations, supersonic flight at or above 5,000 feet, and abrupt aircraft maneuvers. The Desert MOA is subdivided into an Air Traffic Control transition corridor (Sally Corridor) and three training areas: Elgin, Caliente (Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie), and Coyote (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta). There is ATCAA that overlies the Desert MOA, extending from 18,000 feet and above. Reveille North and South ATCAAs extend from 18,000 to 60,000 feet. Airspace requirements above 30,000 feet above the Reveille North MOA and ATCAA must be requested / scheduled 30 days in advance.

Military Training Routes

Military Training Routes (MTRs) provide low-altitude training space for aircraft and directly support many of the Nellis AFB and NTTR missions. They serve as aerial airspace corridors for maneuvering and operating tactical military aircraft at various altitudes below 10,000 feet and at high speeds. MTRs are divided into two classes: Instrument Routes (IR) and Visual Routes (VR). Military Training Routes are not considered official airspace and are open to civilian use.

Radar High Risk of Adverse Impact Zone

Wind turbines built within the radio frequency line-of-sight of research, development, testing, and evaluation systems can create significant adverse impacts to system operations depending on vertical height, electromagnetic sensitivity and distance from activities conducted on the range. In response to concerns regarding wind energy development impacts to military communication and radar systems, the DoD developed a High Risk of Adverse Impact Zone (HRAIZ) to identify areas where the potential for negative impacts from wind energy turbine development up to 700 feet tall on missions is greatest. This HRAIZ was developed for both the Nellis Complex and the R-2508 Complex in California.


For additional information, contact:

Clark County Comprehensive Planning Department

500 S Grand Central Parkway, Box 551741

Las Vegas NV 89155-1741

Phone: (702) 455-4314


This website was prepared under contract with the Clark County, NV, as a component of the Nellis Complex Compatible Use Implementation. Financial support to develop this website was provided by the Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC). The content reflects the views of Clark County and other project partners and not necessarily those of the OLDCC.