Washington, DC Air Defense Identification and Flight Restricted Zones
General Aviation - Airspace Waivers
Security Advisories | Security Initiatives
General Information
Applicable Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)
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NOTAM 6/0223 – Flight Restrictions Washington, D.C.
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NOTAM information is available at www.faa.gov.
General Information
The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) mirrors the footprint of the Baltimore Washington Class B airspace and consists of the airspace within approximately 42 nautical miles (NM) of Reagan National Airport (DCA). The Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) is located within the ADIZ and is defined as the airspace within approximately a 15NM radius of the KDCA VHF omni-directional range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME). The National Capitol Region (NCR) is defined within airspace within a 7NM radius of the KDCA VOR/DME. Additional requirements are levied upon operators requesting access to operate inside the National Capitol Region (NCR).
General Aviation pilots requesting permission to fly aircraft into the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ), including operations to or from DCA, Andrews Air Force Base, and Davison Army Air Field, must submit the two page Waiver Request Form. In some instances, the application must be accompanied by a letter or contract stipulating the purpose and scope of the work to be completed. The letter or contract should be faxed to the TSA, Office of Airspace Waivers at (571) 227-1945 or (571) 227-2948.
The Office of Airspace Waivers verified that all information in the application letter meets the criteria for operating within the FRZ during the current Homeland Security Alert System (HSAS) threat level.
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Download the DC Flight Restricted Zone waiver form (pdf, 103KB)
Types of Waivers
The types waivers issued within the FRZ are:
- Aircraft Demonstration Operations (ADO)
- Aerial Application (Crop Dusting) Operations (CRP)
- Construction Support Operations (CSO)
- Elected Officials (ELO)
- Electronic News Gathering (ENG)
- Government Operations (GOV)
- Lighter than Air (LTA)
- Utility and Pipeline Patrol (PAT)
- Aerial Photography (PIC)
- Privately Owned Aircraft (POA)
- Special Operations (SPO)
- Aerial Survey Operations (SVY)
WAIVER DISTRIBUTION
- When the vetting of crew and passengers on the waiver is complete, and, if needed, additional coordination by other federal, state, or local elements is completed, the waiver approval letter is drafted and sent to the FAA for review, approval, and signature.
- The waiver is then returned to TSA, Office of Airspace Waivers, for inclusion to the data base and distribution to the applicant via fax or electronic mail and appropriate FAA and federal entities.
- Pilots must possess a copy of the waiver when filing a flight plan and during flight operations.
Actions Taken Under Heightened Threat Levels
In an effort to provide additional response time and timely identification of aircraft in the National Capital Region when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) raises the National Threat Advisory Level to ORANGE or RED, FAA, in coordination with the TSA, suspends waivers granted for the FRZ through issuance of a NOTAM. Though additional suspensions may be required, the following operations are suspended automatically when the level is raised.
A. Threat Level YELLOW – All waiver categories may be issued.
B. Threat Level ORANGE – The following waivers are suspended:
- Aircraft Demonstration Operations (ADO)
- Aerial Application (Crop Dusting) Operations (CRP)
- Construction Support Operations (CSO)
- Lighter than Air (LTA)
- Aerial Photography (PIC)
- Privately Owned Aircraft (POA)
- Aerial Survey Operations (SVY)
