Nuclear Security Summit Means Extensive Airspace Restrictions

The United States Government will host a Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC on April 12 and 13, 2010. At the request of the Department of Homeland Security and as part of the airspace security measures, the Washington Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) will be modified with additional flight restrictions during the hours of 0800-2200 local each day. The Washington Metropolitan Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) will be modified with additional flight restrictions during the period of 0800 local April 12 thru 2200 local April 13.

Pilots should be aware that the 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. 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, special instructions, or procedures announced in the 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 Washington 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 interests of national security. Specifically, the DC SFRA is that airspace, from the surface to but not including FL180, within a 30 NM radius of 385134N/0770211W or the DCA VOR/DME. During the hours of 0800-2200 local each day, April 12-13, the following are authorized:

• DOD and Law Enforcement/Air Ambulance operations within the DC SFRA with prior coordination and approval from the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC).
• General Aviation aircraft on an active IFR flight plan may arrive and/or depart the following airports only:
• Dulles International Airport (IAD)
• Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
• Manassas Regional/Davis Airport (HEF) (Only when the control tower is operational)

Title 14 CFR Part 135, Part 121 and 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), Model Security Program (MSP) or All-Cargo International Security Procedure (ACISP), Private Charter Standard Security Program (PCSSP) and DOS Foreign Aircraft issued a diplomatic clearance are authorized to operate within the DC SFRA.

No General Aviation IFR/VFR flights will be authorized to transit through the DC SFRA. Pilots are advised not to file flight plans merely to transit the SFRA.

For the following airports, the provisions of FDC NOTAM 9/4399 and 14 CFR Part 93, VFR traffic pattern operations and egress procedures are temporarily suspended during the time of the NOTAM.

• Barnes (MD47)
• Flying M Farms (MD77)
• Mountain Road (MD43)
• Robinson (MD14)
• Skyview (51VA)
• Vint Hill Farms Station (04VA)

The provision of FDC NOTAM 9/4402 and 14 CFR Part 93, as it pertains to the Leesburg Maneuvering Area, will remain operational. Additionally, IFR arrivals and departures are authorized.

The Washington, DC FRZ is that airspace depicted beginning at the Washington /DCA/ VOR/DME 311 degree radial at 15NM 385931N/0771830W, thence clockwise along the DCA 15NM arc to the DCA 002 degree radial at 15NM 390628N/0770432W, thence southeast via a line drawn to the DCA 049 degree radial at 14NM 390218N/0765038W, thence south via a line drawn to the DCA 064 degree radial at 13NM 385901N/0764832W, thence clockwise along the 13NM arc to the DCA 276 degree radial at 13NM 385053N/0771848W, thence north to the point of beginning, excluding the airspace within a 1NM radius of Freeway Airport /W00/ Mitchellville, MD. From the surface up to but not including FL180. The FRZ is within and part of the Washington SFRA.

During a period from 0800 Local April 12, thru 2200 local April 13, the following operations are authorized:

• DOD and Law Enforcement/Air Ambulance operations are permitted only with prior coordination and approval from the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC).

Title 14 CFR Part 121 and CFR Part 129 regularly scheduled commercial passenger carriers operating into and out of Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) operating under the Transportation Security Administration Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (AOSSP), Full All-Cargo Aircraft Operator Standard Security Program (FACAOSSP) or Model Security Program (MSP) are authorized to operate in the DC FRZ. DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP) operations are authorized for arrivals and departures are authorized. ALL aircraft MUST coordinate with and receive approval from the Air Security Operations Center (ASOC) prior to arriving and/or departing from Andrews AFB (ADW) or Davison Army Airfield (DAA). A PPR does not authorize entry into the FRZ.

Foreign aircraft issued a Department of State diplomatic clearance, are authorized to operate into and out of Andrews AFB (KADW) ONLY.

The provisions of FDC NOTAM 9/4399 and 14 CFR Part 93, pertaining to the Maryland 3 airports known as Washington Executive Airport/Hyde field (W32), Potomac Airfield (VKX) and College Park Airport (CGS), are temporarily suspended. Aircraft operations will not be permitted during the period of 0800 local April 12 thru 2200 local April 13.

All aircraft authorized to operate within the SFRA/FRZ shall:

• Be on an active IFR flight plan.
• Have a discrete transponder code assigned by ATC.
• Remain in continuous two-way communications with ATC.

Aircraft Entering/Operating within the SFRA/FRZ without authorization may be intercepted and diverted to: Easton, MD (ESN), Stafford, VA (RMN) or Carroll County, MD (DMW) Airports for questioning by Federal Law Enforcement Officers.

The following Operations are not authorized from 12 thru 13 April, ANYWHERE within the SFRA/FRZ;
Flight training, practice instrument approaches, aerobatic flight, glider operations, parachute operations, ultralight, hang gliding, lighter than air operations, balloon/moored balloon operations, agriculture/crop dusting, animal population control flight operations, banner towing operations, utility line/pipeline inspection flights, model aircraft operations, model rocketry, maintenance flight’s and unmanned aerial systems.

All flight waivers to operate within the SFRA/FRZ are temporarily suspended during the time of this NOTAM, except waivers beginning with ELO, GOV or SPO.

The NOTAM discussed in this advisory may change with little or no notice. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs frequently for possible changes prior to operations in the area. Pilots are strongly advised to contact a Flight Service Station at 1-800-WXBRIEF (1-800-992-7433) prior to flight to check for all current NOTAMS.

FMI: www.faa.gov