The upcoming Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., will turn the already restricted airspace around the nation’s capital into a virtual no-fly zone for general aviation April 12 and 13.
The FAA has issued a flight advisory imposing additional flight restrictions in the Washington special flight rules area (SFRA), which includes airspace in a 30-nautical-mile radius around the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport VOR/DME, and the flight restricted zone (FRZ) within it. The SFRA will be almost completely closed to GA from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time each day. No GA flights will be allowed into the FRZ during the two-day period.
In the SFRA, GA aircraft on active IFR flight plans will be permitted to arrive or depart only Dulles International Airport, Baltimore Washington International, or Manassas Regional/Davis Airport (only when the tower is operational). No GA flights will be authorized to transit through the SFRA.
All aircraft authorized to operate within the SFRA during the period of additional restrictions must be on an active IFR flight plan, have a discrete transponder code assigned by ATC, and remain in continuous communications with ATC. Pilots should prepare for the additional restrictions during the summit and check notams before each flight. For complete details, see the advisory.
