[JYO] New notam permits traffic pattern operations in Washington ADIZ

Feb. 13 — The FAA late this afternoon responded to AOPA safety and 
operational concerns over the implementation of the ADIZ surrounding 
Washington by issuing <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2001/010915tfr.html#3/1244";>notam 
3/1244</A>. The revised notam addresses safety 
concerns posed by pilots by allowing frequency changes to the common traffic 
advisory frequency (CTAF) to "self-announce" intentions when operating in the 
traffic pattern. The revised language states that pilots conducting 
traffic-pattern operations will be exempt from the ATC communication 
requirement provided they monitor the airport CTAF. However, pilots will 
still be required to file and activate a flight plan and be required to 
"squawk" a discrete transponder beacon code. "This notam addresses a critical 
safety concern of pilots," reported Heidi Williams, manager of Air Traffic. 
"We immediately responded by working with the FAA to have the notam language 
revised."

AOPA has compiled a list of <A 
HREF="http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2001/010915tfr.html#3/1244_qna";>commonly
 asked questions and answers</A> relating to 
the notam.


3/1244 PART 1 OF 4 FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WASHINGTON DC. THIS IS A MODIFICATION 
OF INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY ISSUED IN FDC NOTAM 3/1106. EFFECTIVE 0302101100 
UTC (0600 LOCAL 02/10/03) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 
99.7, SPECIAL SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS; AND 91.139, EMERGENCY AIR TRAFFIC RULES; 
THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE IN EFFECT. PART I. DEFINITIONS. A. THE 
WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA AIR DEFENSE IDENTIFICATION ZONE (DC ADIZ) FOR 
PURPOSES OF THIS NOTAM ONLY, IS THAT AREA OF AIRSPACE OVER THE SURFACE OF THE 
EARTH IN WHICH THE READY IDENTIFICATION, LOCATION, AND CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT IS 
REQUIRED IN THE INTERESTS OF NATIONAL SECURITY. SPECIFICALLY, THE DC ADIZ IS 
THAT AIRSPACE, FROM THE SURFACE TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180, WITHIN THE OUTER 
BOUNDARY OF THE WASHINGTON DC TRI-AREA CLASS B AIRSPACE AREA; AND THAT 
ADDITIONAL AIRSPACE CONTAINED WITHIN AN AREA BOUNDED BY A LINE BEGINNING AT 
383712N/0773600W; THENCE COUNTER CLOCKWISE ALONG THE 30-MILE ARC OF THE DCA 
VOR/DME TO 384124 N/0762548W; THENCE WEST ALONG THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE 
WASHINGTON DC TRI-AREA CLASS B AIRSPACE AREA TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. END 
PART 1 OF 4 WIE UNTIL UFN

PART 2 OF 4 FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WASHINGTON DC. B. THE WASHINGTON DC 
METROPOLITAN AREA FLIGHT RESTRICTED ZONE (FRZ) IS DEFINED AS AN AREA BOUNDED 
BY A LINE BEGINNING AT THE WASHINGTON (DCA) VOR/DME 300 DEGREE RADIAL AT 15 
NM (385655N/0772008W) THENCE CLOCKWISE ALONG THE DCA 15 NM ARC TO THE DCA 022 
DEGREE RADIAL AT 15 NM (390611N/0765751W) THENCE SOUTHEAST VIA A LINE DRAWN 
TO THE DCA 049 DEGREE RADIAL AT 14 NM (390218N/0765038W) THENCE SOUTH VIA A 
LINE DRAWN TO THE DCA 064 DEGREE RADIAL AT 13 NM (385901N/0764832W) THENCE 
CLOCKWISE ALONG THE DCA 13 NM ARC TO THE DCA 282 DEGREE RADIAL AT 13 NM 
(385214N/0771848W) THENCE NORTH VIA A LINE DRAWN TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING; 
EXCLUDING THE AIRSPACE WITHIN A 1 NM RADIUS OF FREEWAY AIRPORT (W00) 
MITCHELLVILLE, MD, FROM THE SURFACE UP TO BUT NOT INCLUDING FL180. THE FRZ IS 
WITHIN AND PART OF THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN ADIZ. PART II. THE 
FOLLOWING PROCEDURES APPLY WITHIN THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN ADIZ: A. 
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PART II. B., BELOW, NO PERSON MAY OPERATE AN AIRCRAFT, 
INCLUDING ULTRALIGHT VEHICLES, CIVIL AIRCRAFT, AND PUBLIC AIRCRAFT, IN THIS 
ADIZ, UNLESS, IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER APPLICABLE RULES OF 14 CFR CHAPTER I, 
THE AI RCRAFT OPERATOR ENSURES THAT THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS ARE MET: END 
PART 2 OF 4 WIE UNTIL UFN

PART 3 OF 4 FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WASHINGTON DC. 1. THE AIRCRAFT IS EQUIPPED 
WITH AN OPERABLE TWO-WAY RADIO CAPABLE OF COMMUNICATING WITH ATC ON 
APPROPRIATE RADIO FREQUENCIES; 2. THE FLIGHT CREW ESTABLISHES TWO-WAY RADIO 
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE APPROPRIATE ATC FACILITY BEFORE OPERATING IN THIS 
ADIZ AND THE FLIGHT CREW MAINTAINS THE CAPABILITY OF CONTINUING TWO-WAY RADIO 
COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE APPROPRIATE ATC FACILITY WHILE OPERATING IN THIS 
ADIZ; AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN AN AIRPORT TRAFFIC PATTERN AT NON-TOWERED 
AIRPORTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE ATC COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENT, PROVIDED THEY 
MONITOR THE AIRPORT CTAF. 3. THE FLIGHT CREW, PRIOR TO OPERATING WITHIN CLASS 
B, C, OR D AIRSPACE THAT IS WITHIN THIS ADIZ, RECEIVES A SEPARATE ATC 
CLEARANCE TO ENTER THE CLASS B, C, OR D AIRSPACE; 4. THE AIRCRAFT IS EQUIPPED 
WITH AN OPERATING TRANSPONDER WITH AUTOMATIC ALTITUDE REPORTING CAPABILITY AS 
SPECIFIED IN 14 CFR SECTION 91.215; 5. PRIOR TO OPERATING THE AIRCRAFT IN 
THIS ADIZ, THE FLIGHT CREW OBTAI NS A DISCRETE TRANSPONDER CODE FROM ATC; 6. 
THE AIRCRAFT'S TRANSPONDER CONTINOUSLY TRANSMITS THE ATC ISSUED DISCRETE CODE 
WHILE THE AIRCRAFT IS OPERATING IN THIS ADIZ; 7. PRIOR TO OPERATING AN 
AIRCRAF T IN THE DC ADIZ, PILOTS MUST FILE THEIR FLIGHT PLAN WITH AN AFSS; 
END PART 3 OF 4 WIE UNTIL UFN

PART 4 OF 4 FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WASHINGTON DC. MUST ACTIVATE THEIR FLIGHT 
PLAN PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OR ENTERING THE DC ADIZ; AND CLOSE THEIR FLIGHT PLANS 
UPON LANDING OR LEAVING THE DC ADIZ. B. AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS BY THE U.S. 
MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND AEROMEDICAL FLIGHTS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE 
REQUIREMENTS OF PART II A. PARAGRAPH 7. PART III. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES 
APPLY WITHIN THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN FRZ. A. UNLESS SPECIFICALLY 
AUTHORIZED BY THE FAA IN CONSULTATION WITH THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE 
AND THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, ALL PARTS 91, 101, 103, 105, 
125, 133, 135, 137 FLIGHT OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED WITHIN THE WASHINGTON 
D.C. METROPOLITAN FRZ. B. THESE RESTRICTIONS DO NOT APPLY TO DOD, LAW 
ENFORCEMENT, OR AEROMEDICAL FLIGHT OPERATIONS THAT ARE IN CONTACT WITH ATC 
AND ARE DISPLAYING AN ATC ASSIGNED DISCRETE TRANSPONDER BEACON CODE. END PART 
4 OF 4 WIE UNTIL UFN [See graphic.]


Questions & Answers

Q. Is this "air defense zone" to be a permanent fixture or can we expect 
normal air traffic operations to resume if and when the security threat level 
is downgraded?

A. The restrictions are based on the current threat level and will continue 
to be evaluated. Pilots should continue to check notams prior to flight for 
changes.

Q. Has the FAA infrastructure been beefed up to support the increased demands 
that have resulted from the current restrictions? Or should pilots expect 
interminable holds for FSS specialists and constant "stand-bys" from ATC?

A. Staffing demands continue to be evaluated and adjustments are being made 
as necessary to ensure wait times for pilots are minimal.

Q. Must all pilots desiring to enter the ADIZ contact an FSS? Have all FSS 
facilities been briefed on the procedures?

A. All pilots must contact an FSS facility to file a flight plan prior to 
entering the ADIZ and all FSS facilities have been briefed on procedures.

Q. Will local VFR pilots based at airports impacted by the DC ADIZ be 
required to contact ATC via a landline to obtain a squawk code, clearance 
limit and void times, as IFR pilots must do at uncontrolled airports?

A. Pilots based at the DC-3 (College Park, Hyde and Potomac) must use a 
landline. However, pilots departing from other local airports should contact 
the appropriate ATC facility prior to departure.

Q. Will the squawk code be issued upon flight plan acceptance?

A. No. Pilots must call the appropriate facility prior to departure to 
receive a discrete code.

Q. Can flight plans be filed via DUATs?

A. Flight plans CANNOT be filed via DUATs currently.

Q. How strictly will pilots be held to their proposed departure and arrival 
times?

A. Pilots are encouraged to file flight plans as close to departure time as 
practicable.

Q. For arriving aircraft: Will pilots maintain communications with the 
appropriate facility until told to do otherwise or should pilots switch to 
CTAF at some point?

A. Pilots should remain with the appropriate facility until instructed to 
change to another frequency. However, pilots should query ATC if they are 
nearing an airport traffic area and should be changing frequencies to 
self-announce on CTAF.

Q. Will aircraft on IFR flight plans be able to cancel in the air and 
continue VFR as long as they maintain radio contact with the appropriate ATC 
facility and squawk a discrete transponder code?

A. Yes.

Q. For VFR departures, do pilots need to establish two-way communications 
prior to take off? And who should be contacted?

A. Pilots should contact an appropriate ATC facility on the ground. 
Self-announcing on CTAF is establishing communications.

Q. The NOTAM states that pilots have to "activate" their flight plan "at the 
appropriate time." For VFR departures, would that be before or after takeoff, 
by radio, with FSS?

A. It is recommended that pilots activate their flight plan prior to 
departure. However, they can request a frequency change to FSS to activate 
the flight plan once in the air if necessary.

Q. After a VFR departure, will a pilot have to contact the appropriate 
facility to establish two-way communications?

A. Pilots departing non-towered airports should self-announce their 
intentions via the CTAF frequency while in the traffic pattern. When 
departing the pattern, pilots should then contact the appropriate ATC 
facility.

Q. Is it sufficient to contact the appropriate ATC facility to air file a 
flight plan prior to entering the ADIZ?

A. Pilots should file the flight plan with an FSS and be sure to establish 
two-way communication, receive and squawk a discrete transponder code and 
obtain a clearance into the associated airspace prior to entering the ADIZ.

Q. If the pilot must execute lost communications procedures, should he exit 
the area immediately or continue on to our destination?

A. Pilots should continue on to their intended destination knowing they may 
have an escort. The escort is only there to assist. Pilots should continue to 
follow lost communications procedures and squawk 7600.

Q. When arriving at a towered airport on an IFR flight plan, normally the 
tower will close the flight plan. Will this still occur?

A. Pilots landing on an IFR flight plan at a towered airport will 
automatically have the IFR flight plan closed without any additional actions 
necessary by the pilot. However, VFR pilots will still need to call FSS to 
cancel a VFR flight plan.

Q. Will pilots out of the area need to call Leesburg FSS directly or can they 
file flight plans via their local FSS station?

A. Pilots are to call the appropriate FSS for their area.

Q. Are there currently any provisions to "flush" non-electric (no transponder 
and no radio) out of affected airports?

A. Currently the FAA does not have a plan to flush these aircraft without 
electrical systems but if there is a need to assist these aircraft owners, 
AOPA needs to here from you via our technical hotline.

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