Camp David Restricted Airspace Grows This Weekend
Ah, the government... always eager to help, and with such
impeccable timing, too! Pilots planning to attend the Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association's 18th annual Fly-In and Open House
should use extra care when planning and executing their flights
into Frederick Municipal Airport on Saturday, as the FAA plans to
expand the P-40 prohibited area northwest of the field.
The FAA posted NOTAM 8/9903 Monday,
expanding P-40 from June 6-8... exactly the times pilots will be
flying to and from FDK, which lies 14 nautical miles from the
center of the restricted zone. AOPA notes the expanded no-fly zone
makes it more vital than ever that pilots know exactly where they
are, and where their flight path will take them.
"By all means, come to our Fly-In," said AOPA President Phil
Boyer, "but be very thorough in your pre-flight planning. Our goal
is zero airspace incursions in spite of the challenges thrown our
way."
"AOPA is already seeking ways to alleviate the issue," added
Andy Cebula, AOPA executive vice president of government affairs.
"We are speaking directly with the FAA and security agencies to
make sure they understand the potential trap they've created for
Fly-In visitors."
AOPA is using every communication avenue available to make
pilots aware of the temporary flight restriction. "We have already
posted information on our Web site," said Boyer. "We are sending
emails to every single member for whom we have an address east of
the Mississippi River, and to every FBO and flight school in the
same area. We're putting information about the restriction on the
automated weather broadcasts that pilots will listen to as they
prepare to land at or depart from Frederick Municipal Airport. In
short, we're doing what we do every day – taking every step
we can to help pilots abide by airspace rules and regulations, and
keep the skies safe."
In addition, AOPA has enlisted the help of the Civil Air Patrol
to make sure pilots are aware of the restrictions. The CAP National
Headquarters has asked squadrons east of the Mississippi River to
station members at airports on Saturday morning and ask pilots if
they are headed to the Washington, DC area, and ensure they are
aware of the expanded P-40 area.
"AOPA has committed to donate $5,000 to CAP if we meet our goal
of zero airspace incursions," said Boyer.
When it expands, the prohibited area grows from a 3 nm radius to
a 5 nm radius. In addition, pilots flying in the ring from 5 nm to
10 nm must be on an active IFR or VFR flight plan, be in positive
radio contact with air traffic control, and use an ATC-assigned
discrete transponder code. Pilots who violate the airspace can
expect to be intercepted by the U.S. Air Force and questioned by
the U.S. Secret Service, and can expect enforcement action by the
FAA.
All pilots flying into or departing from Frederick Municipal
Airport during the P-40 expansion (1500 EDT, Friday, June 6 until
1300 EDT, Sunday, June 8) should monitor the Guard frequency, 121.5
MHz. And as always, check NOTAMs before each and every flight.
The FAA will operate a temporary air traffic control tower at
Frederick Municipal Airport on Saturday. Arrival and departure
procedures developed in conjunction with the FAA are available
online here. AOPA has also developed a
graphic (above) to show the correct arrival traffic flow to avoid
the prohibited area.
And finally, to be prepared in case a pilot does accidentally
violate the airspace restriction and pick up a fighter escort, the
AOPA Air Safety Foundation has developed an intercept procedures
card, available online here (.pdf).
"Early indications are that we're going to have great weather
this Saturday, so by all means, come," said Boyer. "Just make sure
you're fully aware of the procedures and the restrictions. Let's
show the FAA and the security folks just how conscientious pilots
really are."