DC-3 airport closed after repeated security violations
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has closed Potomac Airfield, one of the so-called DC-3 airports located within the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) surrounding Washington, D.C. Tuesday's closure followed repeated violations of the security requirements placed on the airport, the agency said.
"AOPA worked hard to get Potomac and the other DC-3 airports reopened to general aviation with special security requirements after the 9/11 closings, and we want to see GA pilots continue to have access to the capital area," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. "We've taken a careful look at the circumstances of this closure, and it boils down to the airport manager and the TSA coming to agreement on the way to resolve the issue."
The airport and pilots operating there are subject to special security rules because of the field's location only 7 miles from the Capitol and within the FRZ. With the immediate closure of the airport, a number of aircraft were stranded.
TSA is working on a plan to allow those aircraft to be relocated while it continues to work with Potomac Airfield management to resolve the problems that led to the closure.
November 3, 2005
