Washington Special Flight Rules Modified For The Speech Tuesday

The planned 2016 State of the Union Address in Washington, DC is scheduled for January 12, 2016 between the hours of 2000 to 2300 local time. At the request of the Department of Homeland Security and as part of the airspace security measures for the event, the FAA will be modifying the Washington Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) and Washington Metropolitan Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) with additional flight restrictions.

Pursuant to 49 USC 40103(B), The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies the airspace defined in these NOTAMs as "National Defense Airspace". Any person who knowingly or willfully violates the rules concerning operations in this airspace may be subject to certain criminal penalties under 49 USC 46307. Pilots who do not adhere to the following procedures may be intercepted, detained and interviewed by Law Enforcement/Security Personnel. Any of the following additional actions may also be taken against a pilot who does not comply with the requirements or any special instructions or procedures announced in this NOTAM:

• The FAA may take administrative action, including imposing civil penalties and the suspension or revocation of airmen certificates
• The United States government may pursue criminal charges, including charges under Title 49 of the United States Code, Section 46307
• The United States government may use deadly force against the airborne aircraft, if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat.

The following restrictions will apply:

The DC SFRA is that area of airspace over the surface of the earth where the ready identification, location, and control of aircraft is required in the interest of national security. Specifically, the DC SFRA is that airspace, from the surface up to but not including FL180, within a 30 NM radius of the DCA VOR/DME (385134N/0770211W).

Only DOD and Law Enforcement/Air Ambulance operations authorized by the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC) are permitted within the DC SFRA. Prior coordination and approval must be obtained from the ASOC at 866-598-9524.
Coordination calls will not be accepted more than 48 hours in advance of the NOTAM effective time. Only authorized CFR Part 121 and CFR Part 129 regularly scheduled commercial passenger and all-cargo flights that MEET OR EXCEED the Transportation Security Administration approved Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Full All-Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP), Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP) All Cargo, Model Security Program (MSP) or All-Cargo International Security Procedure (ACISP) and DOS Foreign Aircraft issued a diplomatic clearance are authorized to operate within the DC SFRA.

Part 135 and Part 91 aircraft on an active IFR flight plan may arrive and/or depart Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Manassas Regional/Davis Airport (HEF) ONLY.

Part 91 IFR/VFR flights are not authorized to transit through the DC SFRA, with the exception of IFR aircraft landing BWI, IAD or HEF.

The provisions of 14 CFR 93.345 which authorize egress procedures for the following airports are suspended during the time of this NOTAM:

• A. Barnes (MD47)
• B. Flying M Farms (MD77)
• C. Mountain Road (MD43)
• D. Robinson (MD14)
• E. Skyview (51VA)

The provisions 14 CFR Part 93.339 which authorize VFR traffic pattern operations at SFRA airports are suspended during the time of this NOTAM. The provisions of FDC NOTAM 4/9152, which authorize ingress/egress procedures for Leesburg Airport (JYO) are suspended during the time of this NOTAM.

Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft (aka Drones), Aerobatic Maneuvers, Glider Operations, Parachute Operations, Ultralights, Lighter than Air/Balloon/Moored Balloon, Agricultural/Crop Dusting/Spraying, Animal Population Control, Banner Towing, Utility/Pipeline Patrols, Aircraft/Helicopters operating from a ship or private/corporate yacht, Model Rockets, or Maintenance Flights, Flight Training/Practice Approaches are prohibited – including DOD, Law Enforcement and Air Ambulance.

(Image provided with FAA NOTAM)

FMI: www.faa.gov