Flying into DC

C

centralhome

Well-Known Member
My boss needs to go to Washington DC next week. Was wondering what airport any of you have found easiest to get in and out of that have had to fly there?
Thanks
 
Depends your equipment, where your destination is and transportation needs. I have been into Freeway, Gaithersburg, and Dulles. All have been easy to get into and out of.
 
Gaithersburg isnt too bad. I just went IFR and it was cake.

Depending on where your going to in DC or the time there. I've also been into Leesburg once or twice which was pretty easy to deal with, but im not to sure on how long a drive to DC area.
 
Where in DC does he need to go? Into the city proper, or one of the outlying suburbs? The answer to that question, and what sort of access to ground transportation he has, goes a long way toward answering the question.

Also, what kind of aircraft?
 
Not that I really care since it doesn't apply to me but if one never had the special training how would the FAA ever know? Not knowing if it is free or not (I will assume it isn't) this is just another unnecessary money grab by the feds.
 
The course is free, takes about 30 mins and basically it gives the feds another offence to hit you with if you violate the airspace regs around the DC ADIZ. Most IFR guys don't need to worry about it - just don't cancel until you're safely on the ground if you're going into an uncontrolled airport such as JYO.
I would bet no FAA inspector is ever going to ask for it unless they are there to speak to you about a violation of the airspace.

Bp244
 
B200 Hawk said:
Not that I really care since it doesn't apply to me but if one never had the special training how would the FAA ever know? Not knowing if it is free or not (I will assume it isn't) this is just another unnecessary money grab by the feds.
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Takes about 30 minutes. Pretty basic stuff and the controllers are generally pretty accommodating. For the little effort it takes to run through it, its a nice CYA. Those who complete the course have a printout card they keep on them.

I have heard on the frequency people busting the SFRA. Normally it is a N1234, standby, I have a number for you to call, you just entered the SFRA without permission. I understand that someone is escorted down once a week here. In 3 years of flying here, I have only seen it once.
 
ahw01 said:
@killbilly
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killbilly said:
Where in DC does he need to go? Into the city proper, or one of the outlying suburbs? The answer to that question, and what sort of access to ground transportation he has, goes a long way toward answering the question.

Also, what kind of aircraft?
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What am I, chop liver??
Everything kill the billy said, +1.
If you want to come into JYO based on your mission, pm me and I'll give you the local lore. I'll even accept a cup of coffee from the FBO as payment...
 
Runincolorado said:
I understand that someone is escorted down once a week here. In 3 years of flying here, I have only seen it once.
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I saw the Coast Guard helo over Leesburg on Saturday, so this week is covered. I had a helo launched to intercept once, and I was in compliance. I suppose things can become hectic on the TRACON.
 
The best no brainier answer is KHEF, Manassas Virginia. Dulles is usually ok. Gaithersburg has no ramp space for anything of size.
 
Old Dominion Flyer said:
I saw the Coast Guard helo over Leesburg on Saturday, so this week is covered. I had a helo launched to intercept once, and I was in compliance. I suppose things can become hectic on the TRACON.
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Wondering what happened. As long as you don't bust the Class B, JYO has the simplest entry-exit procedure for the SFRA.

Guessing someone squawked 1200....
 
killbilly said:
Wondering what happened. ....
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I was halfway to Bay Bridge from JYO when I successfully changed frequencies but my strip in the TRACON did not. The controller handling me didn't hear the supervisor ask who had the flight, so someone picked up the red phone and launched a helo. I queried Potomac when I heard the Air Force talking to me on Guard, which was apparently the piece of the puzzle they needed. I spoke to the supervisor afterwards and he assured me it was an error on their end. I wonder what, if anything, happened to the controllers involved.
 
Old Dominion Flyer said:
I was halfway to Bay Bridge from JYO when I successfully changed frequencies but my strip in the TRACON did not. The controller handling me didn't hear the supervisor ask who had the flight, so someone picked up the red phone and launched a helo. I queried Potomac when I heard the Air Force talking to me on Guard, which was apparently the piece of the puzzle they needed. I spoke to the supervisor afterwards and he assured me it was an error on their end. I wonder what, if anything, happened to the controllers involved.
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What a dog and pony show we have here...wonder how much this ring of false protection long forgotten by the tax payer is still costing us???
Why doesn't NYC have an SFRA? They got the worst of the attacks...
What do you think the ratio of terrorist stopped to pilots ruined is??
Rant over....
 
Fly into 2W5. They have a relatively new runway and cheaper gas than GAI and HEF. Plus the traffic from Pomonkey to downtown DC is much less than coming up I-95 by Woodbridge...
 
Old Dominion Flyer said:
I was halfway to Bay Bridge from JYO when I successfully changed frequencies but my strip in the TRACON did not. The controller handling me didn't hear the supervisor ask who had the flight, so someone picked up the red phone and launched a helo. I queried Potomac when I heard the Air Force talking to me on Guard, which was apparently the piece of the puzzle they needed. I spoke to the supervisor afterwards and he assured me it was an error on their end. I wonder what, if anything, happened to the controllers involved.
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Wow. That must have been a bit exciting.

bucksmith said:
What a dog and pony show we have here...wonder how much this ring of false protection long forgotten by the tax payer is still costing us???
Why doesn't NYC have an SFRA? They got the worst of the attacks...
What do you think the ratio of terrorist stopped to pilots ruined is??
Rant over....
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The FSDO told me that they actually get more Bravo violations out of HEF each week than SFRA violations. The sectors where I spend most of my time - down around the Brooke VOR and Stafford/Quantico are staffed with some pretty great controllers and it seems like the VFR traffic around here knows the ropes pretty well. Haven't heard a violation down here yet...but maybe I just don't fly enough.

cmhumphr said:
Fly into 2W5. They have a relatively new runway and cheaper gas than GAI and HEF. Plus the traffic from Pomonkey to downtown DC is much less than coming up I-95 by Woodbridge...
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That's a nice little field. I think the gas at VKX is even cheaper though. :-) The problem is the very short runway in the valley surrounded by trees. :)
 
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