AOPA Fly-In features consolidated ID process for access to DC-3 airports
 Transient general aviation pilots can have quick access to airports inside the Washington, D.C., flight restricted zone once they go through an initial security and personal identification process. |
AOPA has teamed with the Transportation Security Administration, Baltimore Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), and College Park Airport to allow pilots attending AOPA's Fly-In and Open House to go through a more convenient version of the personal identification (PIN) process that is required for transients to be able to fly into the DC-3 airports - College Park Airport (CGS), Potomac Airfield (VKX), and Washington Executive/Hyde Field (W32) - located in the Washington, D.C., flight restricted zone (FRZ).
Unlike other airports that are open to and welcome transient general aviation pilots, the DC-3 airports were closed to all but based aircraft after the events of September 11, 2001. Transient pilots have only been able to fly into the DC-3 airports since February of this year, and only after they have completed a time-consuming initial security review and been issued a PIN that requires multiple trips to the airport they want to use, a trip to their FSDO, and a trip to Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA).
During Fly-In, June 4, in Frederick, Maryland, pilots can complete two of the three steps required in the process. Those who wish to participate will need to preregister for the sessions so that the Baltimore FSDO can perform a portion of the necessary airman record checks prior to Fly-In.
Pilots will have their government identification documents reviewed by the Baltimore FSDO and watch a security video, thus eliminating two of the trips to the Washington, D.C., area. However, at a later date pilots still will have to make a trip to Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) to get fingerprinted.
AOPA will offer two sessions during Fly-In: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Pilots must present their U.S. government-issued photo identification (driver's license, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, or other appropriate identification), current medical certificate, and pilot certificate.
Those who wish to participate must request a reservation by May 30. (Requests will not be accepted after that date.) Send your request via e-mail to Rob Hackman, AOPA manager of regulatory and certification policy, along with your name, pilot certificate number, and which of the two sessions you want to attend. Pilots' names and certificate numbers will be sent to the Baltimore FSDO to allow officials to complete airman record checks on the applicants prior to Fly-In.
Pilots with a reservation will receive an e-mail with the PIN application form that should be filled out prior to the sessions to speed the process.
May 3, 2005
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