New Procedures Take Effect November 30th

The FAA has codified special flight rules and flight restrictions for certain aircraft operations in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. A NOTAM scheduled to go into effect on November 30th makes changes in rules that went into effect on February 17th, 2009. Additional special instructions required for operating in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Special Flight Rules Area (DC SFRA), (Subpart V, 14 CFR 93.337), are now published in two NOTAMs, one for the DC SFRA and another for that part of the DC SFRA known as the Leesburg Maneuvering Area.

As part of the new rules, a flight plan will no longer required for egress and ingress procedures in what is known as the Leesburg Maneuvering Area. Aircraft departing the area must squawk transponder code 1226. Pilots departing Leesburg, VA Executive Airport (KJYO) must announce the aircraft call sign, aircraft type and intended departure runway on the published CTAF prior to departure, and must exit the Leesburg maneuvering area via the most direct lateral route while avoiding the SFRA. Pilots need not communicate with Potomac TRACON (PCT) unless otherwise directed.

Aircraft entering at the Leesburg maneuvering area must squawk transponder code 1227 prior to entering the Leesburg maneuvering area to indicate the pilot's intent to land at KJYO. Before entering the Leesburg maneuvering area, pilots must announce the aircraft call sign, aircraft type and runway of intended landing on the published CTAF, and must enter the Leesburg maneuvering area via the most direct route. Arriving pilots also do not need to communicate with Potomac TRACON (PCT) unless otherwise directed.

For flight operations, including ultra light vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), each aircraft must be equipped with at least one operable two-way radio capable of communicating with Potomac TRACON (PCT) on appropriate ATC radio frequencies, as well as an operating transponder with automatic altitude reporting capability as specified in 14 CFR section 91.215.

Pilots should monitor VHF guard 121.5 or UHF guard 243.0, if able.

Except for FAA approved DoD, FAA approved law enforcement, and waivered lifeguard/air ambulance operations flights, all aircraft operating under visual flight rules are restricted to an indicated airspeed of 180 knots or less. If unable, the pilot must contact Potomac TRACON on (PCT) and advise them of the aircraft's operational limitations prior to entering the Leesburg maneuvering area or DC SFRA.

Pilots wishing to conduct traffic pattern operations at KJYO must file a DC SFRA flight plan, obtain and squawk the assigned transponder code from Potomac TRACON (PCT), establish and maintain two-way radio communications with Potomac TRACON (PCT) before entering and while operating in the Leesburg maneuvering area /DC SFRA, and obtain ATC authorization to perform practice approaches from Potomac TRACON (PCT); authorizations will be workload permitting.

As of November 15, 2011, any pilot operating an aircraft under VFR within the DC SFRA who becomes aware of an inability to comply with the requirement to maintain radio contact with ATC must immediately change the transponder code to 7600 and exit the DC SFRA by the most direct route, or if the aircraft departure point is closer, return to the departure point by the most direct route. These procedures do not authorize penetration of any restricted or prohibited airspace.

Aircraft must squawk the ATC assigned transponder code or appropriate Leesburg maneuvering area beacon code at all times. Code 1200 is not permitted at any time within the Leesburg maneuvering area or SFRA.

FMI: www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html