[JYO] Closed Washington, D.C.-area airports not forgotten

Closed Washington, D.C.-area airports not forgotten
SFRA in progress to allow operations in near future

Jan. 18 — There is hope for pilots at the three Maryland airports that still 
remain closed to general aviation operations. In a conference call this 
afternoon, FAA briefed the airport owners and operators, along with AOPA and 
other industry representatives, on progress toward a special flight rules 
area (SFRA) that would permit operations at College Park (CGS), Potomac 
Airfield (VKX), and Washington Executive/Hyde Field (W32) airports near 
Washington, D.C. These airports have remained closed since September 11, and 
AOPA has continued to urge FAA and homeland security officials to restore 
operations since then.

"I've heard personally from members how important it is to reopen these 
airports, located so close to the nation's capital and in AOPA's backyard," 
said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "The plan that FAA and the airport operators 
are crafting is a good first solution to a very difficult security 
situation."

FAA has made significant progress in negotiations with security and military 
officials, who have agreed to the concept of reopening the airports with 
strict security controls and specific flight rules. These procedures are now 
being drafted into a SFRA, which will ultimately have to be approved by the 
Secret Service. The SFRA may be ready within a few weeks, pending security 
approval.

The plan would first apply only to aircraft based at the three airports prior 
to September 11.

Pilots based at these airports would first have to clear a background and 
security check. Once approved to operate from one of three airports, each 
flight would have to be on a specially verified flight plan (IFR or VFR) and 
follow prescribed routes in and out of the flight restriction area 
surrounding Washington, D.C. Special procedures would be in place to ensure 
the identity of the pilot operating the aircraft.

"When this SFRA is issued, it will offer some relief for pilots and business 
owners who have been so severely affected for four long months," said Boyer. 
"While not yet the ideal solution, this resumption of limited operations is 
the first step toward rebuilding the general aviation industry at these 
valuable airports. AOPA will continue to push for full restoration of all 
operations."

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