Aircraft arrival procedures set for June 3 10th annual Fly-In to AOPA headquarters

Aircraft arrival procedures set for June 3 10th annual Fly-In to AOPA headquarters

AOPA has published arrival and departure procedures for the tenth annual Fly-In to AOPA headquarters at Frederick Municipal Airport, Maryland, on Saturday, June 3.

Because of the volume of aircraft expected, safety requires that every pilot know and follow established arrival and departure procedures.

The procedures are somewhat different from previous years but still remain similar to Oshkosh or Sun 'n Fun-type events. A temporary FAA control tower will operate between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. June 3.

Pilots are strongly cautioned to avoid Prohibited Area P-40 (Camp David), 15 nautical miles north of Frederick. Pilots should also have on board a current copy of the Baltimore-Washington VFR Terminal Area Chart.

VFR arrival procedures

Arrivals from north of Interstate 70

Listen to ATIS on 119.2 or 109.0, then monitor FDK Approach on 120.95. Proceed to the tank farm north of I-70 (near the former Woodbine Gliderport, EMI VOR 207°/8.9 nm, or N39° 22.4' W77° 02.2'). Aircraft should slow to 90 knots and maintain 1,500 feet msl prior to reaching the tank farm. Slower aircraft unable to maintain 90 knots should fly at optimum speed and watch for aircraft passing on right. Faster aircraft unable to safely operate at 90 knots should maintain 120 knots and 2,000 feet msl. Aircraft unable to safely operate at 120 knots, contact the tower on 119.95 for special instructions or use standard IFR procedures.

From the tank farm, fly heading 280° to intercept I-70 before reaching the town of Mount Airy, Maryland. Watch for merging traffic from the left.

Arrivals from south of Interstate 70

Listen to ATIS on 119.2 or 109.0, then monitor FDK Approach on 120.95. Plan to intercept Interstate 70 well east of the town of Mount Airy, abeam the tank farm. Watch for converging traffic from the north. Slow to 90 knots and maintain 1,500 feet msl prior to reaching I-70. Slower aircraft unable to maintain 90 knots should fly at optimum speed and watch for aircraft passing on right. Faster aircraft unable to safely operate at 90 knots should maintain 120 knots and 2,000 feet msl. Aircraft unable to safely operate at 120 knots, contact the tower on 119.95 for special instructions or use standard IFR procedures.

Follow I-70 to Mt. Airy. Watch for merging traffic from the right.

After reaching Mt. Airy

Follow I-70 westbound to the town of New Market (EMI VOR 254° / 15.4 nm, N39° 23.1' W77° 16.7') and monitor FDK Approach on 120.95. (No-radio aircraft follow preceding aircraft and look for light gun signals from FDK Tower.)

Approaching New Market, expect instructions from Frederick Approach. Do not transmit unless requested or to report an emergency. Controllers will call traffic using aircraft type and color. Rock your wings to acknowledge and accept instructions.

Follow instructions to the assigned runway and monitor Frederick Tower on 119.95. After landing, turn off at the first available taxiway unless otherwise instructed, monitor AOPA Unicom on 122.85, and follow ground directors to parking. VFR flight plans may be closed with AOPA Unicom.

VFR holding

Should Frederick Approach instruct arriving aircraft to hold, the following procedures apply, depending upon position. If instructed to hold:

• Prior to reaching the tank farm or I-70, pick and circle a landmark, watching for other aircraft;
• Between Mt. Airy and New Market, follow the published rectangular holding pattern south from New Market to the drag strip, then east to the Damascus water tower, then north to Mt. Airy as shown on the Fly-In procedures map; or
• If already past New Market, follow the last ATC instruction and monitor tower on 119.95.

IFR arrivals

IFR arrivals can expect delays during MVFR or IFR weather. The ILS Runway 23 approach will be in use. If the airport is VFR, be prepared to fall in line with arriving VFR traffic. After landing, follow ground directors to parking and monitor AOPA Unicom on 122.85.

VFR departures

Monitor AOPA Unicom on 122.85, taxi along parking rows to the nearest paved taxiway, then follow ground directors to departure runway. Once in line for takeoff, monitor Frederick Tower on 119.95. During high-density departure times, flagmen at the runway will clear pilots for takeoff.

On departure, reduce (if safe) to climb power for noise abatement and climb to at least 1,500 feet msl as quickly as safely possible. Unless otherwise instructed by ATC, fly straight out for two miles before turning on course.

IFR departures

IFR flight plans should be filed as far in advance as practicable. Pilots are strongly urged to file preferred routes listed in the FAA's Fly-In notam and available from the temporary flight service station in the AOPA exhibitors' tent. Baltimore or Dulles controllers will not accept air files during periods of high IFR activity.

Call Baltimore Clearance Delivery on 126.9 for clearance, monitor AOPA Unicom on 122.85, taxi along parking rows to the nearest paved taxiway, and follow ground directors to departure runway. Once in line for takeoff, contact Frederick Tower on 119.95 and advise of your IFR status, destination, and number in line for takeoff.

Arrival/departure instructions and map are available on AOPA Online. Pilots can obtain a copy by mail by calling 888/462-3976.

00-2-013

April 20, 2000