Violations Still Occur... But They Can Be Avoided!

Ever since federal security officials imposed an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) around the Washington, DC area in March 2003, general aviation pilots have been getting better and better about not making mistakes and operating as required in the ADIZ and its inner "no-fly" Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ).

However, two high-profile incursions into the FRZ during a recent one-week period raised security concerns and prompted a renewed pilot education campaign by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

"It’s been five years since this ‘temporary’ flight restriction was imposed and local pilots have learned to just deal with it," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "But it’s been long enough that pilots from outside the region flying through the Mid-Atlantic may need a not-so-subtle reminder."

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has developed and sent to every fixed base operator within 400 miles of Washington, DC, posters and other materials to remind pilots that they are within one gas tank’s range of the National Capital Region and some of the most tightly controlled airspace in the nation. The materials include posters and kneeboard-sized checklists that tell pilots what the requirements are for operating around Washington, DC and how to comply.

In addition, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s Know Before You Go online airspace course is available free of charge to all pilots, not just AOPA members, and includes a section on flying in and around the Washington ADIZ. The course is available at the FMI link below.

"The federal aviation regulations say it all – a pilot in command must be familiar with all available information for every flight," said Bruce Landsberg, executive director of the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. "There’s simply no excuse for ADIZ incursions to still be happening five years later. But they are, so we’re taking it upon ourselves to help re-educate pilots."

FMI: www.asf.org/kbyg