Any pilot who flies VFR within 60 nautical miles of the Washington, D.C., VOR/DME must complete the FAA’s one-time special awareness training online course or seminar by Feb. 9, 2009. The FAA’s mandate for training stems from an effort to reduce the number of Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) incursions. “AOPA is extremely disappointed that the FAA is requiring pilots who won’t be flying in the ADIZ to take the training,” said Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs. “The FAA’s mandate sets up an enforcement trap for pilots who aren’t from the D.C. area but who will be passing through or landing within the 60-nm veil.” Read more on AOPA Online.
