Plan Would Ease Restrictions At Some Airports

Will it shrink... grow larger... or stay exactly the same? Well, if we're to believe rumors flying out of Washington, DC concerning impending changes to the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the nation's capital... it's anyone's guess.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association states federal officials continue to talk about changes to the security zone, a bane to general aviation pilots operating in the area since early 2003. Rumors as to what form those changes may take received new life last week, due to comments made by FAA managers from the Potomac TRACON.

Speaking at a regional pilots forum, the managers state discussions are underway to replace the current "Mickey Mouse-shaped" ADIZ with a 30-nautical-mile-radius circle, centered on the Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) Vortac.

While such a change would only represent a partial reduction in the ADIZ airspace -- and the existing Flight Restricted Zone would remain basically the same -- it would also remove four Maryland airports (Essex Skypark, Martin State, Bay Bridge, and Kentmorr) from the ADIZ. It would also permit less restrictive procedures at Leesburg and Manassas airports in Virginia, according to AOPA.

In response to the latest news, AOPA President Phil Boyer said, essentially, 'place your bets.'

"If I had a dime for every rumor concerning the ADIZ, I'd be a millionaire!" Boyer said. "Since this particular scenario was given by the FAA to pilots and matches some of the other intelligence my staff has been reporting, it seems worthwhile to pass it along."

The rumored solution would continue to place requirements on nearly 1,700 based aircraft and 15 public-use airports.

"Our staff continues to maintain close contact with the FAA, Transportation Security Administration, and the Department of Defense, just a few of the many agencies involved in the ADIZ decision making," Boyer added. "And at this point, we have no official or even unofficial word that this is the final alternative."

The FAA is in the midst of a rulemaking process, which will solidify the airspace rules and regulations for the nation's capital. The agency is still reviewing comments on that proposal, and has until July to make a final decision.

Or not. Further rumors indicate that the date could be extended.

FMI: www.aopa.org, www.faa.gov