Narrative:

I was working radar at the fnt/lan sectors. There was weather in the sector. The steelhead MOA was active from 060b220. Aircraft X took off from mtc into the MOA. On departure aircraft X was given a block altitude 070b080; and a deviation west of course and direct to the entry point when able. About 10 miles south of the entry point; I cleared aircraft X into the MOA and switched communications. About 2 minutes later we noticed that aircraft X was 1;000-2;000 ft above his block. Coordination was accomplished. It is my opinion that the way we clear the military into the MOA is an unsafe situation. The way we are required to clear an aircraft is to issue an altitude to maintain after the aircraft is inside the MOA. The phraseology is; 'aircraft X is cleared into the alpena complex via the steelhead MOA/atcaa maintain 060b210 while within the confines of steelhead; radar service is terminated contact black talon.' it is easy to see how this can add to the confusion of an already work intensive flight. Recommendation; the phraseology should be changed to give the aircraft the altitude to maintain until entering the MOA. The aircraft already are told the altitudes of the MOA/atcaa before takeoff. Recommendation; 'aircraft X is cleared into the alpena complex via the steelhead MOA/atcaa maintain (aircraft altitude) until inside the confines of steelhead radar service is terminated contact black talon. I think this change will save a lot of confusion and increase safety.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZOB Controller voiced concern regarding the facility phraseology used to inform military aircraft of MOA entry instructions. The reporter noted that the phraseology is confusing for the pilots and indicates an altitude assignment; which is not the case.

Narrative: I was working RADAR at the FNT/LAN Sectors. There was weather in the sector. The Steelhead MOA was active from 060B220. AIRCRAFT X took off from MTC into the MOA. On departure aircraft X was given a block altitude 070B080; and a deviation west of course and direct to the entry point when able. About 10 miles south of the entry point; I cleared aircraft X into the MOA and switched communications. About 2 minutes later we noticed that aircraft X was 1;000-2;000 FT above his block. Coordination was accomplished. It is my opinion that the way we clear the military into the MOA is an unsafe situation. The way we are required to clear an aircraft is to issue an altitude to maintain after the aircraft is inside the MOA. The phraseology is; 'Aircraft X is cleared into the Alpena complex via the Steelhead MOA/ATCAA maintain 060B210 while within the confines of Steelhead; RADAR service is terminated contact BLACK TALON.' It is easy to see how this can add to the confusion of an already work intensive flight. Recommendation; the phraseology should be changed to give the aircraft the altitude to maintain until entering the MOA. The aircraft already are told the altitudes of the MOA/ATCAA before takeoff. Recommendation; 'Aircraft X is cleared into the Alpena complex via the Steelhead MOA/ATCAA maintain (aircraft altitude) until inside the confines of Steelhead RADAR service is terminated contact BLACK TALON. I think this change will save a lot of confusion and increase safety.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.