Air Traffic Services and Technology

Air Traffic Services Brief: Washington, D.C., Flight Restricted Zone/"DC-3" Airports

The issue

General aviation in the National Capital Region (NCR) has suffered greatly due to the implementation of the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ). The FRZ covers approximately the area within a 13-15 nautical mile radius of the Washington, D.C., VOR/DME) and severely limits the operations at three airports located within the FRZ. ADIZ/FRZ Graphic The three airports referred to as the "Maryland Three," or "DC-3," are College Park (CGS), Washington Executive/Hyde Field (W32), and Potomac Airfield (VKX), and each has suffered substantial economic hardship as a result of the imposed restrictions.

The importance to our members

The FRZ airspace and its associated restrictions, initially implemented under SFAR 94 and since codified by the issuance of an interim final rule, require that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) perform background checks and issue a personal identification number (PIN) to pilots using the "DC-3" airports, a process which is both time-consuming and inconvenient for most pilots and extremely prohibitive for pilots outside the Washington, D.C., metro area. Non-vetted pilots penetrating the FRZ are faced with severe penalties including certificate action.

Background

After the events of September 11 2001, massive flight restrictions were implemented throughout the National Airspace System that effectively shut down all flight operations with the exception of military, law enforcement, and emergency-related aircraft operations. Beginning on September 13, 2001, restrictions began to be incrementally lifted; however, Washington, D.C., flight restrictions remained in place. On February 13, 2002, the FAA proceeded with emergency rulemaking that codified the FRZ within 13-15 nm of the DCA VOR/DME. The SFAR allowed provisions for the affected airports to develop security procedures that, if approved by the administrator, would allow based pilots to resume minimal operations pending compliance with the procedures detailed in the SFAR itself. Although the SFAR allowed for some provisions, based pilots were still unable to conduct pattern operations or flight to another affected airport. In addition, transient operations were banned.

Effective February 13, 2005, TSA issued an interim final rule that transferred responsibility for ground security procedures at the "DC-3" airports from the FAA to TSA and authorize transient operations, albeit on a very restricted basis. The FAA issued a revised notam for the Washington, D.C., area, allowing vetted transient pilots to operate in the FRZ airspace.

Overview of PIN issuance process

Procedures for the issuance of a PIN vary slightly at each airport. It is recommended that you contact the airport security coordinator at the airport you intend to use to be issued the PIN.

College Park Airport (CGS)
Mr. Lee Schiek, Airport Security Coordinator
Telephone 301/864-5844; e-mail leeschiek@hotmail.com
www.collegeparkairport.org

Potomac Airfield (VKX)
Mr. David Wartofsky, Airport Security Coordinator
Telephone 301/248-5720; e-mail bigcheese@potomac-airfield.com
www.potomac-airfield.com

Hyde Field (W32)
Mr. Ray Isherwood, Airport Security Coordinator
Telephone 301/297-7388; e-mail rtish1@aol.com
www.hydefield.com

Status

October 16, 2002, AOPA petitioned the FAA and TSA to change current language in SFAR 94 that would allow pilots vetted at College Park, Potomac Airpark, and Washington Executive/Hyde Field to conduct flights to any of the "DC-3" airports provided the operators meet the security provisions set forth by the proposed amended rule. Additionally, the petition requested that vetted pilots be allowed to conduct traffic-pattern operations and transient operations be permitted, provided the operators meet the same security provisions.

February 14, 2003, spurred in part by AOPA's petition, the FAA and the TSA allowed operators based at the "DC-3" airports to fly to other affected "DC-3" airports located inside the special flight rules area by the issuance of Notam 2/2720, as explained in the SFAR 94 renewal.

February 13, 2005, TSA issued an interim final rule that transferred responsibility for ground security procedures at the "DC-3" airports from the FAA to TSA and authorizes transient operations, albeit on a very restricted basis. The FAA issued a revised notam for the Washington, D.C., area, allowing vetted transient pilots to operate in FRZ airspace.

August 4, 2005, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to codify the current airspace restrictions for flight into the FRZ and the Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). Comments on the rule are being accepted through November 2, 2005.

Updated Tuesday, November 06, 2007 3:42:18 PM