What should a pilot do to find out if an MOA is active?

To determine if a Military Operations Area (MOA) is active, the most reliable approach is to check the legend for the special use airspace phone number. This is essential because each MOA has designated phone numbers that can provide real-time updates about its status, allowing pilots to obtain the necessary information regarding the times the MOA is active or inactive.

Consulting a flight schedule for the area may not yield accurate or up-to-date information, as schedules can be subject to changes and not reflect the dynamic nature of military operations. Referring to the airport operations desk or contacting local flight schools might provide some general advice or insight, but they may not have access to the latest specific information regarding MOA activity. Therefore, using the official contact number from the airspace legend is the most direct and effective means to verify if an MOA is currently active.