FAA · FAASTeam Safety Articles
DC ADIZ Procedures Checklist
In Brief
What It Addresses
Security services: Identification, communications and security tracking provided by an ATC facility in support of DOD, or other security elements. NOTE:
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Washington DC ADIZ
Special Terms & Procedures
Area Name Nearest major airport) Telephone
Shenandoah Dulles (IAD) 1-866-709-4993
1-540-349-4097
Mount Vernon Reagan National (DCA)
Andrews AFB (ADW)
1-866-599-3874
1-540-349-0493
Chesapeake Baltimore (BWI) 1-866-429-5882
1-540-349-8478
James River Richmond (RIC)
Charlottesville (CHO)
1-866-640-4124
1-540-349-9697
Potomac TRACON Telephone Numbers
ATC Terms Specific to the DC ADIZ:
Security services: Identification, communications and security tracking provided by an ATC facility in support of DOD, or other security elements. NOTE:
Security services do not include basic radar services or any other ATC services. Transponder observed: Used in security airspace to inform a pilot that the aircraft’s assigned beacon code and position has been observed. This transmission does not imply ATC services. It conveys only that the transponder reply has been observed and its position correlated for movement through security airspace.
Remain on the code until you land: Used when Potomac hands an inbound VFR flight off to the tower or authorizes change to advisory frequency for non-towered airports. This term reminds pilots to remain on the assigned discrete transponder code until after landing. NEVER squawk 1200 inside the DC ADIZ. Emergency Procedures:
Transponder failure: An aircraft unable to transmit the ATC-assigned transponder code must contact ATC and comply with all instructions. If unable to contact ATC, the aircraft must exit the DC ADIZ by the most direct lateral route. Intercepts: Review interception procedures in the AIM. If you are intercepted, follow all instructions given by the intercepting aircraft. Monitor 121.5, provide call sign / position, and squawk 7700 unless otherwise directed.
rev. 11/15/07
Procedures for Traffic Pattern Work:
Towered Airport: Request pattern work from tower; squawk 1234, remain in two-way communication with tower.
Non-Towered Airport: File DC ADIZ flight plan; obtain and squawk discrete transponder code, communicate pattern position via published CTAF, and have ability to monitor VHF guard on 121.5 or UHF guard on 243.0
Washington DC ADIZ
Standard Requirements
Activating: A DC ADIZ flight plan to enter/exit the DC ADIZ under VFR activates when the pilot obtains a discrete transponder code except:
Leesburg (JYO) ingress/egress: with CTAF calls
Fringe airport egress: when pilot squawks 1205
Towered airport pattern: with squawk & talk
Non-towered airport pattern: with CTAF calls Closing: The DC ADIZ flight plan closes when the aircraft exits or lands at an airport inside the DC ADIZ.
Requirements to operate to/from, or within the DC ADIZ (effective 0500Z 30 August 2007)
1. Two-way radio 2. Operating transponder with altitude reporting (Mode C) 3. Flight plan appropriate to intended operation:
IFR: IFR flight plan
VFR: DC ADIZ flight plan for all operations, except:
Fringe airport egress (no flight plan required)
Towered airport pattern work (make request to tower) 4. Discrete transponder code for all operations, except:
Leesburg (JYO) ingress (1227) or egress (1226)
Fringe airport egress (1205)
Towered airport pattern work (1234) 5. VFR speed restriction (≤ 180 KIAS in DC ADIZ, & ≤ 230 KIAS from 30 NM - 60 NM from DCA VOR/DME unless otherwise authorized.)
Communication with ATC for all operations, except:
Leesburg (JYO) ingress/egress: make CTAF calls
Fringe airport egress: monitor guard if able
Towered airport pattern work: talk to tower
Non-towered airport pattern work:
Make CTAF calls & monitor guard if able rev. 11/15/07
Washington DC ADIZ
VFR Outbound Procedures*
Step 1: Preflight—File a DC ADIZ Flight Plan
ALWAYS review NOTAMs for current TFR information.
File DC ADIZ flight plan.
“I would like to file a DC ADIZ flight plan for VFR flight from (departure airport) to (appropriate exit gate)”
If desired, file separate VFR flight plan (search-and-rescue) to be activated after exiting the DC ADIZ.
Step 2: Pre-Takeoff — Activate DC ADIZ Flight Plan
Call ATC (tower, RCO, phone) for frequency & squawk. “Potomac Clearance, (call sign) at Tipton, VFR departure.”
Set assigned frequency & transponder code.
Verify that Mode C (ALT) is on.
Step 3: After Takeoff—Communicate w/ ATC
Establish radio contact with Potomac TRACON.
“Potomac Departure, (call sign), off Tipton”
Monitor assigned frequency
Remain out of Class B unless explicitly cleared to enter.
Step 4: Exiting—Close DC ADIZ Flight Plan
Remain on frequency/squawk until ATC authorizes change; DC ADIZ flight plan closes upon exiting the DC ADIZ.
rev. 11/15/07
Frequencies subject to change.
ALWAYS check NOTAMS!
Washington DC ADIZ
VFR Inbound Procedures*
Step 1: Preflight—File a DC ADIZ Flight Plan
ALWAYS review NOTAMs for current TFR information.
File DC ADIZ flight.
“I would like to file a DC ADIZ flight plan for VFR flight from (appropriate entry gate) to (destination airport).” Step 2: Before Entry - Activate DC ADIZ Flight Plan
Before entry, call Potomac to request transponder code. “Potomac Approach, (call sign), VFR inbound to Gaithersburg.”
Set assigned code and verify that Mode C (ALT) is on.
Continue inbound unless otherwise instructed.
Remain out of Class B unless explicitly cleared to enter.
Step 3: After Entry—Communicate w/ ATC
Monitor Potomac TRACON.
Remain out of Class B airspace unless explicitly cleared to enter.
Step 4: Arriving—Close DC ADIZ Flight Plan
Change to tower / advisory frequency when so instructed .
Remain on assigned transponder code until you land.
DC ADIZ flight plan closes upon landing.
Entry/Exit Filing Gates for DC ADIZ Flight Plans Gate (Freq) Defining Radials
(DCA) Visual Checkpoints
WOOLY (132.775) R-341 R-046 I-270 I-95 PALEO (132.775) R-047 R-120 I-95 Abeam Chesapeake Beach
WHINO (125.125) R-121 R-173 Abeam Chesapeake Beach
Northern boundary
Wicomico River GRUBY (125.125) R-174 R-215 Northern boundary Wicomico River
Western boundary
Potomac River /
Widewater Beach
BRV (127.325) R-216 R-237
Western boundary
Potomac River /
Widewater Beach
West side of
Lunga Reservoir FLUKY (127.325) R-238 R-270 West side of Lunga Reservoir VA Route 29 JASEN (127.325) R-271 R-310 VA Route 29 VA Route 7 R-311 R-340 VA Route 7 I-270LUCKE (127.325) *See page 1 for JYO ingress/egress & fringe airport egress procedures. For detailed information, see online DC ADIZ course at www.faasafety.gov rev. 11/15/07
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faasafety.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
Author: FAA - Susan Parson
FAASTeam library-20999