New Improved Military Training Routes KML File -- Includes Puppies

After noticing that the FAA had reduced the line length of their Military Training Route text file from 553 characters to 520 characters in their April release, I knew that I had some cleanup work. They also created a new type of record, separating out the agency data from the base MTR record into its own type. Database folks would call these tables. Who says they government can't change? This makes creating the KML a little easier, because I'd rather parse more record types with fewer fields than fewer record types with more fields.



Fun facts:

• Pretty much everything the FAA writes is in ALL CAPS.


• There are about 400 "noise-sensitive" areas that our military pilots need to know about, including at least nine chicken farms.


• There are about 39 "CONGRESSIONAL" noise-sensitive areas, including several "CONGRESSIONAL (EXTREMELY) NOISE SENSITIVE AREA".


• There is at least one "CONGRESSIONAL NOISE SENSITIVE AREA (CATTLE FARM)" at N36-28.8 W80-27.5. Who knew that sonic booms make milk go sour?


• Puppies! "ROUTE SEGMENTS A TO B AND B TO C CLOSED 1 MARCH THROUGH 30 MAY ANNUALLY DUE TO NEW BORN SILVER FOX PUPS." We'll forgive the grammar for puppies.

I am working on creating a KML sub-set to include just Congressional noise-sensitive areas, so we can all know which areas to avoid.

File Format Improvements:

• SOP and other data are not commingled between IR and VR routes with the same number. Route Type and the number are a composite key.


• Now includes terrain-following operations notes, if applicable


• When you click on a line, you get a table of data rather than all freeform text.


• When you click on a waypoint, you can see the Navaid distance and radial.


• Waypoints are now star shapes instead of the stock pushpins.

The new Military Training Route file is in the KML Archive. The filename starts with "MTR".

NOT FOR NAVIGATION. CONTAINS UNVERIFIED DATA.