Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 3500; Flight Crew Type 2300
Other / Unknown
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Chart Or Publication; Aircraft; Airspace Structure
Flight planned and obtained a briefing via ForeFlight. I specifically checked airspace NOTAMs and noted that restricted area R-4301 was going to be active the next day from 0500 through 1200. It was not NOTAMed as active for the day of my flight. Departed in the afternoon VFR and was cruising at 6;500 MSL when I found myself on top of an overcast layer. I contacted Minneapolis Center and received a popup IFR clearance for my descent. After receiving my clearance from Center I was informed of a possible airspace violation and given phone [number] to call once on the ground. I talked to Mr. X at Minneapolis Center and explained to him about my checking NOTAMs. He said he had checked NOTAMs and found the same thing I did but that their facility had been informed and was treating it as active. He took my number and told me he would call back if he had any questions or found anything out. He called back about 45 minutes later and told me that in the margin of the VFR sectional it is noted as active daily for a certain time period. (I don't remember the times he said.) I explained to him that I use current charts obtained through ForeFlight and displayed on an iPad; (backed up by an iPhone.) These electronic charts do not allow me to see the margins of the charts. In the future I will avoid R-4301 unless in contact with Center and given a clearance. I would suggest that since the margins are not viewable on electronic charts that active times for special use airspace be placed on the chart in vicinity of the airspace and that airspace NOTAMs note the active times daily; as having occasional times noted as active could lead one to believe it is inactive when not NOTAMed.
General Aviation pilot reports entering R-4301 after finding no NOTAMs indicating an active status during preflight. ATC is contacted for an IFR clearance for descent through clouds and the reporter is informed that the area is hot. It is discovered that in the margin of the VFR sectional it is noted as active daily for a certain time period but the margin is not displayed on most electronic display devices.