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{{Short description|Restriction on air traffic around the capital city of the United States}}
[[Image:070727 New Washington ADIZ-FRZ.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.25|The new Washington ADIZ (red line) compared to the old ADIZ (green line).]]

The '''Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area''' (also known as the '''DC SFRA'''{{efn|Pronounced siff-ra.}}) is a circular area around [[Washington, D.C.]] in which additional flight requirements apply. An [[air defense identification zone]] (ADIZ) has existed since February 10, 2003,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/air_traffic/adiz.html |title=AOPA Online: Air Traffic Services Brief: Security Officials Want Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) to be Made Permanent |access-date=2009-01-03 |archive-date=2008-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817085939/http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/air_traffic/adiz.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> around the [[Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area]] to restrict air traffic near [[Washington, D.C.]]

The ADIZ was established as a precursor to the US [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]] in 2003.<ref name=Rotor>{{cite web|url=http://www.rotor.com/membership/rotor/rotorpdf/fall2005/22.pdf|title=FAA Proposes Making D.C. ADIZ Permanent|work=Rotor|page=22|year=2005|author=Chung, Charles K.|format=Regulatory Review|access-date=2014-02-06|archive-date=2013-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130133812/http://www.rotor.com/membership/rotor/rotorpdf/fall2005/22.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has been erroneously connected to the [[September 11 attacks]] as a temporary measure to prevent further attacks.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} It was made permanent in 2008.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-12-16-faa-dc-flights_N.htm | work=USA Today | title=FAA makes special D.C. flight rules permanent | date=December 16, 2008}}</ref>

Despite efforts by the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] to inform pilots of the ADIZ, there are still many unauthorized incursions by unsuspecting pilots. A pilot who violates the boundaries may be intercepted by military aircraft and escorted to the nearest airport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40323858|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206022735/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40323858|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 6, 2020|title=Plane with student pilot violates D.C. air space|website=NBC News|date=22 November 2010 }}</ref><ref name="NZ_Herald_10127237">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10127237 |title=US fighter jets intercept plane near Washington DC |date=24 May 2005 |agency=[[Reuters]] |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |accessdate=2 December 2011}}</ref>

==Creation==
The ADIZ (now known by its components, the Flight Restricted Zone and Special Flight Rules Area) was created by the FAA in response to demands by a working group that became formalized as the National Capital Region Coordination Center. The U.S. Congress has never legitimized these restrictions, and any consideration of opposing the Executive Branch's actions became politically unpalatable in the wake of two mishaps that led to the evacuation of the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]].<ref>Brumfield, Sarah. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/01/us-capitol-evacuated-aircraft_n_803209.html "US Capitol Evacuated Over Unauthorized Aircraft In Airspace"]. http://www.huffingtonpost.com. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2014.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35440-2004Jul7.html|title = Plane That Caused Capitol Evacuation Nearly Shot Down|date = July 8, 2004|accessdate = June 5, 2014|newspaper = The Washington Post|publisher = |last = Hsu|first = Spencer}}</ref> One involved a plane carrying [[Ernie Fletcher]], the [[governor of Kentucky]], which led to an evacuation in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNN|title=Capitol Evacuated Before Reagan Procession|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/09/capitol.evacuation/|accessdate=2008-04-20|date=June 9, 2004}}</ref> The other, almost a year later, involved a [[Cessna 150]] flown by a student pilot accompanied by a pilot who was not familiar with the ADIZ rules, using an outdated chart.

==Location==
[[Image:ADIZ reference points.jpg|thumb|right|The old official entry and exit reference points for the ADIZ.]]
[[File:DCA-VOR-DME.jpg|thumb|Photo of the DCA VOR/DME Ground Station located on the Ronald Reagan National Airport.]]
The original Washington ADIZ was roughly co-extensive with the [[Airspace class#United States|Class B airspace]] around Washington. On August 30, 2007, the dimensions of the ADIZ were changed to a {{convert|30|nmi|mi km|adj=mid|-radius}} circle centered on the [[Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport]] (DCA) [[VHF omnidirectional range|VOR]]/[[Distance Measuring Equipment|DME]] (located at {{coord|38|51|34|N|77|2|11|W}}), with a small triangular cutout for [[Leesburg Executive Airport]] (JYO). This change reduced the size of the ADIZ by {{cvt|1800|sqmi}} and removed 33 airports from its coverage.

===Flight Restricted Zone===
Within the ADIZ is an even more sensitive zone designated the ''Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone'' (DC FRZ). The DC FRZ extends approximately {{cvt|13|-|15|nmi|mi km}} around the DCA VOR/DME. Flight within the FRZ is restricted to governmental, certain scheduled commercial and a limited set of waivered flights. Two general aviation airports (known as the "Maryland 3" or the "DC 3") are located inside the DC FRZ: [[College Park Airport]] (CGS) and [[Potomac Airfield|Potomac Airport]] (VKX).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?cID=55 |title=ALC-55: Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) – online course |publisher=FAASafety.gov |date=2011-11-29 |accessdate=2013-11-07}}</ref> [[Washington Executive Airport|Washington Executive/Hyde Field]] (W32) closed permanently in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boatman |first=Julie |date=2022-12-07 |title=Hyde Field Closes, Bringing 'The DC3' Down to Just Two |url=https://www.flyingmag.com/hyde-field-closes-bringing-the-dc3-down-to-just-two/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=FLYING Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Public opposition==
Pilots' groups, led by the [[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association]] ([[AOPA]]), have argued that the ADIZ is unnecessary and has a harmful effect on the economy of small airports and aviation-related businesses in and near the ADIZ.<ref>"ADIZ training rules too broad, won't fix problem, AOPA says": http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2006/060907adiz.html</ref> Pilots involved in law enforcement have described the ADIZ as a "major, unnecessary burden on pilots and air traffic controllers with almost no increased security benefit."<ref name="aopa">{{cite web|url=http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2005/051012adiz.html|title=More than 21,100 comments against the ADIZ|accessdate=5 May 2010}}</ref> AOPA and other groups are hoping to persuade Congress to lift or ease the ADIZ restrictions from Washington airspace – or at the very least to dramatically improve its operational aspects.

In 2006, the FAA issued a [[Notice of Proposed Rulemaking]] (NPRM) docket number 17005 concerning making the temporary rules permanent. Over 20,000 responses were received, the vast majority of them in opposition to making the temporary rules permanent.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|title=From ADIZ to SFRA: Now It's Permanent|date=February 2009|page=10}}</ref> There were two public hearings held by the FAA in the Washington, D.C., area on the NPRM. All speakers were opposed to making the NPRM permanent.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} The FAA published transcripts of the public hearings. The transcripts were later withdrawn from the public as they were alleged to contain Sensitive Security Information, but were returned following review.<ref name="aopanews">{{cite web|url=http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2006/060412adiz.html|title=ADIZ transcripts back in public view|accessdate=5 May 2010}}</ref>

==Subsequent changes==
On August 30, 2007, the FAA implemented new rules for air traffic controllers and issued revised [[NOTAM]]s for pilots flying in the ADIZ. Although the NOTAMs and FAA procedures state that no radar services will be provided to pilots unless requested, air traffic controllers at Potomac TRACON are providing such services. This is due to a memorandum from the Potomac TRACON Air Traffic Manager to air traffic controllers stating that a certain paragraph (2-1-2) of the Air Traffic Control handbook (7110.65) is still applicable when providing ATC Security Services.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ATpubs/ATC/atc0201.html#atc0201.html.1|title = Chapter 2. General Control|date = April 3, 2014|accessdate = June 30, 2014|website = faa.gov|publisher = Federal Aviation Administration|last = |first = }}</ref>

Effective February 9, 2009, any pilots flying [[Visual flight rules|VFR]] within a {{convert|60|nmi|km|adj=on}} radius centered on the ADIZ are required to complete training about the ADIZ. This training can be completed online through a course called "Navigating the New DC ADIZ" (now "DC Special Flight Rules Area").<ref>{{cite web|title=FAA Safety Website|url=http://www.faasafety.gov|accessdate=22 September 2014}}</ref> Pilots may also complete the required training by attending a seminar offered at a [[Flight Standards District Office]]. Pilots must obtain a certificate which proves that the training has been completed. This certificate is not required to be carried with the pilot, but must be produced when requested from law enforcement or other agencies. Pilots flying [[Instrument flight rules|IFR]] are not subject to this requirement.<ref name="aopatraining">{{cite web |url=http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/articles/2008/080814adiz.html |title=ADIZ training requirement fraught with problems, AOPA says |date=August 14, 2008 |accessdate=5 May 2010}}</ref>

On February 17, 2009, the status of the ADIZ was scheduled to change from a [[temporary flight restriction]] to a permanent [[special flight rules area]].<ref name="aopanews2">{{cite web |title=D.C. ADIZ becomes federal regulation |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2008/december/14/d-c-adiz-becomes-federal-regulation |date=December 14, 2008 |access-date=March 12, 2019}}</ref> On February 6, 2009, White House officials declined a request to postpone the implementation.<ref name="AoPAnews3">{{cite web |url=http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/region/2009/090212dc.html |title=Pilot's license plate makes statement against D.C. airspace |date=February 12, 2009 |accessdate=5 May 2010}}</ref>

In February 2012, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012<ref name=Act>{{cite web |url=http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20120130/CRPT-112HPRT-HR658.pdf |title=FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 |accessdate=2013-11-07}}</ref> required a joint plan to be submitted in 180 days by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense.

<blockquote>The plan shall outline specific changes to the D.C. Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area that will decrease operational impacts and improve general aviation access to airports in the National Capital Region that are currently impacted by the zone.<ref name=Act /></blockquote>

In June 2014, Leesburg airport traffic was granted authority to perform local traffic pattern practice without a SFRA plan filed while operating under tower control without departing the pattern.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=AOPA Pilot|date=October 2014|page=93|title=DC's special flight rules Do pilots rate it "Most Feared"|author=Alton Marsh}}</ref>

==Laser warning system==
[[File:NORAD, Laser Warning System, 1.jpg|thumbnail|This is a graphic to show what the NORAD Laser Warning System would look like.]]
[[File:NORAD, Laser Warning System, 2.jpg|thumbnail|This is what the NORAD Laser Warning System would look like in an aircraft that entered restricted airspace.]]
In May 2005, [[North American Aerospace Defense Command|NORAD]] started using a laser warning system to warn pilots that cross into restricted airspace. The bright laser beams, which flash red-red-green, are easily seen, even during daylight. The laser beams can be seen {{convert|15 to 20|mi|km|0}} away. Other pilots are unlikely to see the lasers because, when activated, the directional beams are pointed at the aircraft that has crossed into restricted airspace. Multiple lasers could be activated. These lasers do not harm the eyes of aircrew or passengers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Security Notams and TFRs locator |url=http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/notams.html#5/4121 |accessdate=24 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lasers set to help protect D.C. airspace| website=[[The Washington Times]] |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/may/17/20050517-093729-2556r/?page=all |accessdate=24 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lasers to warn pilots in restricted D.C. airspace|website=[[CNN]] |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/04/15/laser.warn/index.html|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[North Warning System]]
* [[Distant Early Warning Line]]
* [[Aviation in Washington, D.C.]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://tfr.faa.gov FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions]
* [http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/Chap5/aim0506.html FAA Intercept Procedures]
* [http://www.aopa.org/safetycenter/courses/vws/ Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association – Lasers]
[[Category:Air Defense Identification Zone]]
[[Category:Air traffic control in the United States]]
[[Category:Aviation in Washington, D.C.]]

Washington, D.C., Special Flight Rules Area - Revision history

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