AOPA Executive Testifies On ADIZ Problems And More

(AOPA Senior Vice President for Government/Technical Affairs, Andy Cebula, testifies before Congress Thursday on general aviation security. One important aspect of his testimony will be what the AOPA considers the utter failure of the Washington ADIZ. Here are some excerpts. --ed.)

It is absolutely essential, that any security requirements do not eliminate the very industry they are designed to protect. If that occurs, the terrorists have won. Many pilots are asking this very question about the airspace restrictions in the Baltimore-Washington, DC area (National Capitol Region). Just last week, over 5,000 pilots visited our headquarters in Frederick Maryland and the most discussed topic was the flight restrictions around the National Capitol Region. 

Expanded Use Of Temporary Flight Restrictions

To understand the general aviation perspective on the National Capitol Region airspace, it is important to recognize that prior to 9-11, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) were issued, but were typically smaller, shorter duration, and did not come with the severe penalties for violations. Today, a pilot can face FAA enforcement action including the loss of their pilot certificate and the extreme prospect of loosing their life by being shot down for violating a TFR. As an example of the magnitude of airspace restrictions, anytime the president travels a 30-mile TFR is established. Last year there were over 200 of these TFRs.

National Capitol Region - Airspace Restrictions

While much of the emphasis on general aviation has been access to Washington Reagan National Airport and this Committee is to be commended for its work to reopen this airport to general aviation the majority of AOPA members are concerned about the airspace restrictions around the National Capitol Region. As illustrated in the chart, there are two areas of airspace restrictions on general aviation operations created since 9-11, the inner ring Flight Restricted or "No Fly" Zone (FRZ) and the outer Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Flight Restricted Zone - Sensitive Areas Of The Nation's Capitol

In the days following 9-11 the FAA implemented a total ban on general aviation operations in the 15-mile radius FRZ, sometimes referred to as the "No-Fly-Zone" that extends from ground level to 18,000 feet around Washington, DC. In February of 2002, the FAA partially lifted this ban by allowing limited operations at College Park and Potomac Airports, as well as Hyde Field in Maryland. Until then, no general aviation aircraft could operate to or from these airports, referred to as the "DC-3" unless the aircraft was based at the airport prior to 9-11 AND the pilot has undergone FBI fingerprinting and criminal history record check before being permitted to operate under very strict flight rules. This meant that all three general aviation airports were closed to all but 300 based aircraft since 9-11.

For many AOPA members the DC-3 airports were the aviation access point to the Nation's Capitol, essentially the light aircraft operator's Washington Reagan National Airport. That is why we were pleased when the TSA in February of this year allowed vetted transient pilots to apply to operate at the DC-3 airports. These pilots must undergo the same rigorous background check as pilots based at the airport. Pilots are required to complete an FBI fingerprint background check and security training prior to receiving a unique PIN code to operate in the FRZ.  Underscoring the importance of these airports to AOPA members, just this past weekend, over 180 pilots took advantage of the opportunity to complete two of the three required steps by participating in a seminar held during AOPA's Fly-In.

FMI: www.aopa.org