Late Thursday night, the FAA postponed the scheduled relocation of aircraft from the New York and Washington, D.C., "no fly" zones. The relocation, originally scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Friday morning, has been pushed back to Saturday.
AOPA has obtained the latest version of the procedures for relocating aircraft from the Washington, D.C., and New York City "no-fly" areas—the temporary restricted areas (TFRs) within a 25-nautical-mile radius of the DCA and JFK VORs. However, pilots are cautioned that the FAA may make last-minute modifications to these procedures. In the latest version available to AOPA, the FAA added airport security information and clarified other parts of the procedures. In summary, pilots must:
- Contact flight service;
- File a flight plan (instrument or visual); and
- Comply with ATC procedures as normally established for IFR operations.
For VFR departures, this means that pilots must have a discrete beacon (transponder) code, an ATC release (not a takeoff clearance) and appropriate frequencies for air traffic control communications. Local airport authorities and FSS will have detailed departure information for each particular airport.
AOPA has posted a "frequently asked questions" list to help pilots understand the procedures.
The first relocation "window" is now scheduled to open at 8 a.m. Saturday for Dulles and Newark satellite airports. Other airports will follow through the day. AOPA will post the full schedule as soon as it becomes available.
AOPA staff will be on-site at both FAA headquarters and at the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) to monitor progress and address issues as they develop.
AOPA's Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA) will be staffed on Saturday to answer member questions about the relocation procedures. If members continue to need more information, the center may be opened on Sunday as well.
AOPA will also update this Web site with the latest information and clarifications.
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