New ATC Management Scheme In Effect
From the NBAA...
The 2005 Presidential
Inauguration on Thursday is expected to bring a significant
increase in air traffic operations through the airports serving the
Washington DC metropolitan area, particularly Washington-Dulles
(IAD) and Baltimore-Washington (BWI). The Federal Aviation
Administration's (FAA's) Air Traffic Control Traffic Management
System has developed plans to address arrival delays during the
days leading up to the Inauguration, to address parking capacities
at impacted airports, and to facilitate departures on the day
following the Inauguration.
During the days leading up to the last Inauguration in January
2001, the three major airports, IAD, BWI, and
Reagan-Washington-National (DCA), experienced approximately a 20%
increase in general aviation operations over their daily averages.
Since 2001, general aviation traffic at BWI and IAD has increased
by more than 60% and 35% respectively. Also, most general aviation
traffic that operated out of DCA in 2001 will this year be
restricted to other airports by increased security measures.
The combination of overall increases in traffic volumes and
concentration of operations into IAD and BWI may greatly challenge
the capacities of those airports and the air traffic control system
serving them. Both IAD and BWI expect to reach capacity for general
aviation long-term parking before the Inauguration. As parking
reaches capacity, if not properly managed, general aviation traffic
could significantly impact scheduled carrier access to and from
terminal gates. Most general aviation traffic is expected to depart
on the Friday morning after the Inauguration. This unusual increase
in departure volume will require the use of alternative departure
routes and altitudes to avoid enroute congestion and airport
delays.
Traffic Management Initiatives: General Aviation Airport
Program (GAAP)
The significant difference between a typical Ground Delay
Program (GDP) and a GAAP GDP is the way delays are assigned to
flights that are unknown at the time of program implementation.
GAAP is an automated initiative specifically designed to manage
situations in which demand does not exceed airport capacity, but is
expected to due to an increase in unknown or "pop-up" traffic.
GAAP is applicable to all IFR traffic operating into the
controlled airport. The Air Traffic Control System Command Center
(ATCSCC) initiates a GAAP and sets the airport arrival rate (AAR)
at an agreed number. When the hourly AAR exceeds the known demand,
GAAP will create "Unassigned Slots" to fully utilize capacity.
These slots are held for future flights that are unknown to the
HOST computer at the time of implementation. All IFR flight plans
that enter the system after implementation of the program will be
assigned the first available Unassigned Slot at or after their
requested time of arrival.
The maximum GAAP delay a flight may receive is 360 minutes. If
airport demand eventually exceeds capacity the program may be
revised, resulting in new controlled times for all known demand,
scheduled or unscheduled.
GAAP has proven successful in effectively managing arrival
demand at airports serving high volumes of unscheduled general
aviation traffic. As with any GDP, flights must depart within a
five- minute window either side of their Controlled Time of
Departure (CDT). If this time cannot be adhered to, a new time must
be obtained from the ATCSCC. GAAP is compatible with all existing
processes including Substitution and Slot Credit Substitution
(SCS).
The ATCSCC in Herndon, VA, will implement GAAP's for both IAD
and BWI. GAAP's will be implemented on the Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday prior to the Inauguration to manage the expected increase
in arrival volume. The GAAP's will be implemented by 0800 EST (1300
UTC) and will likely run until approximately 2300 EST (0400 UTC)
each day. GAAP's will again be implemented for both IAD and BWI on
Friday to balance the arrival volume with the expected high
departure demand.
Potomac TRACON (PCT)
Traffic Management Unit (TMU) in coordination with IAD and BWI, and
the ATCSCC will determine hourly arrival rates (AAR's) for
application in the GAAP's. Modeling of IAD traffic indicates that
if weather conditions do not permit an airport/arrival
configuration with at least an AAR of 90, then delays into IAD will
exceed the 6-hour maximum allowed by the GAAP. In such case, the
GAAP may be transitioned to a standard GDP. If weather conditions
are other than VFR with calm or South winds, then IAD Users should
anticipate significant arrival delays on Tuesday and Wednesday, at
times exceeding 120 minutes, particularly for arrivals after 1400
EST (1900 UTC).
Airborne Pick-Ups/Destination Changes
Arriving aircraft that request airborne IFR clearances into IAD
or BWI, and arriving IFR aircraft filed into other airports that
request to change destination to IAD or BWI will be required to
accept the same delays being encountered by other aircraft already
in the applicable program. While a GAAP is in place, this will be
the next available unassigned slot, which may result in up to a
360- minute delay.
While a standard GDP is in place, this will be the average delay
under the program for the estimated time of arrival. PCT
controllers will be instructed not to issue clearances into IAD or
BWI until coordination with the ATCSCC and/or Washington ARTCC has
been accomplished.
Recommendation: Non-scheduled IAD Users should plan to arrive
early in the week, Monday or Tuesday, and to arrive between the
hours of 0800 EST (1300 UTC) and 1400 EST (1900 UTC) to minimize
the likelihood of encountering significant delays.
Recommendation: Users can check availability of GAAP Unassigned
Slots and the average delay of all flights by accessing the
"Products" page on the ATCSCC's website.
At BWI, arrival capacity and demand are such that significant
arrival delays are not anticipated under the GAAP planned for the
days leading up to the Inauguration.
Departure Routes
BWI and IAD share many common departure fixes on routes out of
the Washington DC-Baltimore metropolitan airspace. To manage
enroute air traffic control sector volume, departure restrictions
are often required over these exit fixes during periods of peak
departure demand.
In addition to the expected large increase of non-scheduled
departures on the Friday morning after the inauguration, there may
also be compacted demand for departure route altitudes below FL290
as this will be the second day of Domestic Reduced Vertical
Separation Minima (RVSM) implementation. Aircraft operators that
have not been authorized to operate under RVSM will be restricted
to routes at or below FL280. A large number of scheduled-carrier
operations out of IAD and BWI are expected to be unauthorized for
RVSM and will so be sharing departure routes with non-scheduled
flights below FL290.
Several traffic management initiatives are planned to
accommodate this unusually high volume and compacted departure
demand on Friday morning.
GAAP's will be in place for both BWI and IAD on Friday. The
AAR's for both airports will be set to the maximum level practical
to provide appropriate arrival demand while accommodating and
favoring the high departure demand. The resulting terminal capacity
available for departures is expected to be adequate to meet demand
off IAD and BWI between the hours 0800 EST (1300 UTC) and 1400 EST
(1900 UTC).
After 1400 EST, the normal, scheduled carrier demand in and out
of IAD routinely exceeds the terminal capacity and there will be
little unused capacity available for unscheduled departures. The
FBO's at IAD and BWI have been asked to request the departure plans
of their customers as they arrive to include their ETD,
destination, and RVSM capability. The FBO's will forward this
collected information to the PCT TMU. By Wednesday evening, it is
hoped that a relatively complete view of Friday morning's departure
demand will have been collected.
On Thursday, at 1100 EST (1600 UTC), a special planning telcon
will be conducted by the ATCSCC with the concerned enroute and
terminal facilities, to determine what departure routes may require
relief from excess demand and what alternative routes will be
implemented. It is planned to use established alternative routes
developed for severe weather avoidance to accommodate departure
demands.
Following the Thursday FAA Telcon, at 1200 EST (1700 UTC) a
special telcon will be held with FAA and Users to discuss Friday
departures and brief alternative route plans. A Planning Telcon
will also be schedule for 0515 EST (1015 UTC) on Friday morning,
January 21 to coordinate any changes from weather, demand, etc.
These plans and routes will also be shared with Users through
the ATCSCC's regularly conducted Planning Telcons. Users may also
access information about reroutes on Friday morning at the ATCSCC
website.
The Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZDC) will be
responsible for coordinating the rerouting of filed flight plans.
Attached are preferred departure routes for most popular
destinations that non-scheduled Users should file. Users that file
incorrect, non-preferential routes may experience significant
delays while they await re-clearance. Expected departure volume
will prohibit airborne rerouting.
The ATCSCC, ZDC, and PCT will be staffing dedicated Departure
Directors, Area Coordinators, and other positions throughout the
week specifically to coordinate the expected increased traffic
volume. These positions will coordinate with the BWI and IAD Towers
via the DC Metropolitan Hotline used for Severe Weather events.
Users who have been previously issued the listen-only passcode will
be able to access the Hotline with their regular number. Other
Users, FBO's, etc., may listen-only to the Hotline by calling the
ATCSCC line, 703-925-5387 and entering the passcode 2444# (the
pound sign is entered after the passcode)
Recommendation: Non-scheduled Users should provide their FBO's
no later than Wednesday evening with their planned ETD's and
destinations to ensure that adequate departure routes are
available.
Recommendation: Non-scheduled Users planning to depart on Friday
should plan to make their departures between the hours of 0800 EST
(1300 UTC) and 1400 EST (1900 UTC), particularly out of IAD, to
minimize the likelihood of encountering significant delays.
Recommendation: All non-scheduled users should ensure
they file only via preferred departure routes, even if alternative
routes have been proposed for their specific destination. ZDC TMU
Departure Directors will ensure coordination is accomplished for
specific flights that require reclearance off preferred routes to
an alternative route. Aircraft requiring route corrections
resulting from incorrect flight crew filing can expect significant
delay.
Recommendation: IAD, JYO and HEF Departures: Aircraft
which use a N or TN call sign departing these airports are
prohibited by security procedures from routings via SWANN, PALEO,
or DAILY intersections. N and TN aircraft departing these airports
whose attached, applicable preferred departure routes show:
- SWANN as a first fix, should file WOOLY V214 SWANN, then via
preferred route;
- PALEO as a first fix, should file WOOLY V44 SIE, then via
preferred route;
- DAILY as a first fix, should file HAFNR GVE, then via departure
route shown on
attached routes for "N and TN Departures off IAD, JYO, and HEF over
DAILY"
- Traffic to the Caribbean should file via GVE, then offshore or
via WOOLY V44 SIE B24
Airport Surface Movement And Parking: Both IAD and BWI airports
expect to fill all available aircraft parking capacity before
Thursday's Inauguration. In similar past
events, as unscheduled landing traffic exceeded parking capacity,
taxiways became blocked and airports experienced gridlock resulting
in significant delays.
Ground Movement Coordinators: At both IAD and BWI, the FBO's
will have representatives in the Airport Traffic Control Towers to
coordinate arrival aircraft parking.
These coordinators will maintain contact with the ATCSCC and
facility TMU's to provide realtime status of remaining parking
capacity and airport ground movement constraints.
BWI Prior Permission Required (PPR)
BWI Airport management
will issue a PPR NOTAM on Monday, January 17, 2005 advising general
aviation aircraft planning to use BWI during Inauguration week that
prior permission to land is necessary. This is to ensure BWI has
available ramp space for an arriving aircraft before the aircraft
arrives and is on the ground at the airport. Signature Flight will
be the entity who is contacted and who will grant the PPR
approval.
Note: BWI Signature Flight Support: Phone: 410-859-8393;
Fax: 410-850-9042
BWI Temporary Parking Areas: (see attached airport diagram) The
entire length of
BWI Taxiway Q will be closed during Inauguration week. The portion
between Taxiway K and the approach end of Runway 15L will be used
for aircraft parking and the remaining portion will be used to
queue aircraft waiting to enter the GA Ramp. This will require all
departing aircraft who utilize Runway 15L/33R to taxi across Runway
15L/33R and then use Taxiway S to reach either Runway 15L/33R.
BWI Drop-And-Go Areas
BWI North Cargo spot F-17 will be reserved as a Drop-and-Go spot
in the event the GA Complex becomes congested or otherwise
unavailable, and it is necessary for an itinerate aircraft to drop
its passengers and immediately depart. Signature Flight Support
personnel and passenger vehicle must be at spot F-17 when/if this
situation occurs. IAD TEMPORARY PARKING AREAS: (see attached
airport diagram) Two FBO's at IAD provide services to general
aviation traffic, Signature Flight Support and Piedmont Hawthorne.
Both FBO's have been delegated additional areas on the airport to
provide temporary parking for the expected increased demand.
Note: IAD Signature
Flight Support: Phone: 703-572-0001; Fax: 703-572-0011
AIRINC: 131.87
IAD Piedmont Hawthorne: Phone: 800-926-0150; Fax:
703-661-0152
AIRINC/UNICOM: 129.77
General aviation arrivals should contact their respective FBO's
approximately 20 minutes before landing for their parking
assignments. Upon landing, arriving flights should inform IAD
Ground Control of their parking assignments. IAD Ground will
provide taxi instructions the correct area. Arriving flights should
expect to taxi directly to their assigned remote parking, where
their FBO will provide shuttle service to their facility. Arrivals
will not be able to drop-off passengers in front of their FBO's
before parking.
As at BWI, demand for
IAD parking is expected to exceed capacity. IAD is now one of the
busiest airports in the nation for scheduled carrier operations.
The combination of high-volume scheduled traffic and restricted
airport movement area, as run- up blocks and taxiways are released
for parking, will make IAD particularly prone to gridlock.
IAD will not be administering a PPR program as at BWI. Instead
the FBO's will coordinate closely with FAA Traffic Management
through their Tower Coordinator to monitor remaining parking
capacity. When full parking capacity has been reached, or if
Drop-and-Go traffic begins to impact access of scheduled carrier
traffic to the midfield gates, the ATCSCC may be required to
implement a Ground Stop for all arriving General Aviation traffic
until additional parking or ramp space becomes available. While
parking reservations are not being conducted at IAD, operators are
strongly encouraged to advise their preferred FBO of their
intentions for planning
IAD may also implement Ground Metering/Gate Hold (IADT frequency
121.75) procedures for midfield, scheduled operations to manage
departure traffic access to airport movement areas.
Special Security Flight Restrictions
IAD, BWI, and their satellite airports are all within the
Washington DC Metropolitan Area Air Defense Identification Zone
(ADIZ) and many routes to/from these airports pass near the
Washington DC Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ).
Several NOTAM's prescribe special restrictions and prohibitions
affecting flights within this airspace, including FDC NOTAM 3/2126,
effective March 31, 2004.
Recommendation: All flight crews planning to operate in
this area should ensure that
they are thoroughly briefed on special procedures and
restrictions.
There will be special flight restrictions, in addition to
established ADIZ and FRZ flight
procedures, in place for the Inauguration on Thursday, January 20.
2005. No general aviationlights will be authorized within the DC
ADIZ between the hours of 1000 EST (1500 UTC) and 1800 EST (2300
UTC) except for IFR flights landing/departing only IAD or BWI.
Alternate Airports
The following airports serve as alternates for IAD and BWI and
will have parking and services available:
NOTE: PCT has remote frequency capability at FDK and ESN on
126.9 and at GAI on 121.6. Pilots are encouraged to use this
capability to cancel their IFR clearances on arrival and to receive
the IFR departure clearances.
Manassas (HEF)
HEF is served by an FAA Airport Traffic Control Tower. Airport
management has delegated Taxi-Lane Delta between Taxiways Echo and
Foxtrot for additional transient parking. Approximately 57
transient spaces were still available for reservations as of
January 5, 2005. For reservations, contact either Dulles Aviation
at 703-361-2171; or Jet Services at 703 361-7267. Specific airport
information for the week of the Inauguration may be viewed at
Leesburg (JYO)
Approximately 30 transient spaces were still available for
reservation as of January 5, 2005. For reservations contact
Piedmont-Hawthorne Aviation at 800-336-0219.
Martin State (MTN)
Approximately 30 transient spaces were still available for
reservation as of January 9, 2005. For reservations contact Avitat
at 410-682-8810. Pilots landing MTN are advised to contact UNICOM
122.95 approximately 3 miles out and to advise FBO of their ETA and
need for Inauguration parking.
Frederick (FDK)
Approximately 20 transient spaces were still available for
reservation as of January 5, 2005. For reservations, contact
Frederick Aviation at 301-662-8156. Pilots landing FDK are advised
to contact UNICOM at 122.725 on approach to advise ETA and receive
Inauguration parking instructions.