Montana's New No-Fly Zone for Army Gunnery Practice
Published Date: 7/23/2025
Rule
Summary
A new restricted area called R-4601 is set up near Townsend, MT, so the Montana Army National Guard and the 40th Helicopter Squadron can safely practice aerial gunnery. This means local pilots and residents should watch out for training flights in the Limestone Hills area. No extra costs or big schedule changes for the public, just safer skies for military training.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Local pilots and residents: watch for training
You who live near Townsend, MT, or fly locally should watch for military training flights in the Limestone Hills area because restricted area R-4601 has been established there for aerial gunnery practice. The rule means pilots and nearby residents may see increased training activity over the LHTA near Townsend.
Military units gain training airspace
The Montana Army National Guard and the 40th Helicopter Squadron can use restricted area R-4601 in the Limestone Hills Training Area to conduct aerial gunnery training. This officially provides those units the ability to carry out the described training activities in that area.
No public cost or schedule changes
The document says there will be no extra costs or big schedule changes for the public from establishing R-4601, so local residents and the general public are not expected to face new fees or major disruptions. The main effect described is safer skies for military training.
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