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Wash DC Advice Please

N4843W

N4843W

New member
SE MI
Aircraft Year
1977
Aircraft Type
114
Reg Number
N4843W
Serial Number
14173
I have a 2 nighter that just came up for next week to Bethesda MD. Would rather not rent a car if possible, but will if needed. I have almost always gone into Leesburg JYO in the past. Have also flown into GAI several times, which is closer to Bethesda. Looks like College Park CGS is closest though. Would be great to take the Metro which I know

I always go IFR to make sure I am kosher with the security zone. CGS does have an approach.

Any suggestions?
 
Wash DC Advice Please

If you are going to Bethesda, CGS isn't your best choice as you will have to take the metro clear downtown (metro center) to catch the red line back out to Bethesda. Will add 45 min to an hour to your travel. You can be in Bethesda from GAI in 20 min by car. Still take the metro (you will already be on the Red Line from G'burg) if you wish. Ten min cab ride from GAI to the metro station. GAI has considerably more runway to use if the day is "toasty" and humid. Both are in the restricted zone but CGS requires the DC Three super decoder ring training and password if you do not already have them. This is NOT the online course that you are supposed to take for any flight in the restricted zone. I'd loan you my ID/pswd but don't want the FBI on my doorstep if you have any missteps. ;-)
 
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Re: Wash DC Advice Please

FYI - Shady Grove station from G'burg to Bethesda.
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

FS said:
College Park isn't a good choice, unless you've got some lead time before your trip to go through the security screening:

http://www.collegeparkairport.aero/md3.html
Click to expand...

OMG ... you are not exaggerating!

CGS MD3/VETTING PROCEDURES
In order to operate to/from College Park Airport, pilots must complete a multi-step vetting procedure. This process is required for all pilots wishing to fly into any of the three general aviation airports (CGS, VKX, W32) within the Flight Restricted Zone. The procedure is as follows:

1. Register and complete the online safety course, "Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)" at www.FAASafety.gov. This course is required for all pilots operating within 60 NM of Washington, DC. Upon completion, you will have to print a completion certificate. This certificate will need to be verified by Baltimore FSDO.

2. Download and complete the MD-3 PIN Application Form found here: MD-3 PIN Application The form is in Adobe format and will allow you to fill it out prior to printing.

3. Meet with the Baltimore FSDO. You must make an appointment for this visit. Please call them at 410-787-0040, location information can be found HERE. The FAA Inspector at the Baltimore FSDO will examine your credentials. Please bring your Pilot Certificate, Original Medical Certificate, SFRA Online Course Completion Certificate, Government issued Photo ID (Drivers License, Passport, Military ID, etc), and your completed MD-3 PIN application. FAA officials may (or may not) sign the PIN form. Once you've completed your FSDO visit, they electronically notify the Airport Manager/Security Coordinator and TSA that you've successfully completed this step.

4. Fingerprinting. The National Air Transportation Association Compliance Service (www.NATACS.aero) handles the fingerprinting portion of the vetting process. Applicants are no longer restricted to getting fingerprints taken at Reagan National Airport (DCA). Applicants must get fingerprinted at any local law enforcement agency, or any NATACS collector. NATACS provides a locator for approved fingerprint collection agencies here: NATACS Fingerprint Locations

Prior to getting fingerprinted, applicants MUST FIRST obtain a login for NATACS. Applicants must then print out the NATACS fingerprinting form, which is then completed by whomever performs the actual fingerprinting. Further details located HERE

NATACS charges a fee of $37 to perform the Criminal History Records Check (CHRC). This fee is separate from (and in addition to) any fees that various finger print collection sites may charge.

5. Submit completed PIN Application form (IN PERSON) to Ops Desk staff at College Park Airport. In addition to collecting your PIN Application, we also need to get a copy of your pilot certificate and Government-issued photo ID for our files.

After completing the above outlined steps, your application will be forwarded to TSA for review and approval. The length of this phase varies in duration. We generally recommend applicants allow 3-4 weeks. Once the PIN is issued, the airport manager will provide the pilot their PIN via telephone.

6. Filing Procedures. Instructions for filing SFRA flight plans can be found HERE
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

wab003 said:
FYI - Shady Grove station from G'burg to Bethesda.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Bill! KGAI it is! I recall having to self-deice there once. Isn't that Bunn's base?
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Scott could always fly into
KFDK and catch a ride with one of those AOPA guys heading to Washington to fight for our cause... Just a thought...
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Getting into the inside 3 is about a 60-90 day deal. I did it and my rectum hurts several years later. Your other option is the airport in Bowie MD and rent a car. Its not far.
 
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Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Honey-Bunn's base is FME. I agree completely with Elliot. I completed my exercise in federal abuse in 2007 and what a ridiculous circle jerk. The final step was sitting alone in a room (with no distracting items like reading material or cell phone) at CGS watching a "safety" video with unintelligible audio (acknowledged by the video "proctor") that consisted almost entirely of a bunch of bureaucrats slapping each other on the back for what a fine effort they all did creating safety programs for the DC area. Totally worthless. Some day over an adult beverage, I'll tell you the saga. Federal bureaucracy at its very worst. Other than perhaps the fingerprinting and background check, of absolutely no public safety benefit.
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

wab003 said:
Honey-Bunn's base is FME. I agree completely with Elliot. I completed my exercise in federal abuse in 2007 and what a ridiculous circle jerk. The final step was sitting alone in a room (with no distracting items like reading material or cell phone) at CGS watching a "safety" video with unintelligible audio (acknowledged by the video "proctor") that consisted almost entirely of a bunch of bureaucrats slapping each other on the back for what a fine effort they all did creating safety programs for the DC area. Totally worthless. Some day over an adult beverage, I'll tell you the saga. Federal bureaucracy at its very worst. Other than perhaps the fingerprinting and background check, of absolutely no public safety benefit.
Click to expand...


Absolutely, was at CGS in the 90's knowing what we all went thru at MTN, CGS guys couldn't even get their plane OUT for almost a YEAR. I had car at FME, car got destroyed as I couldn't MOVE IT OFF AIRPORT till August 2002 . REFUSED TO PLAY THAT GAME> After CGI based at HWY , 12 mi from Tree Farm , vs MTN now retired 48 Mi NE .

Scott- will send you PM. Sherman
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Scott- Not taking PMs or 'Not Allowed'???

Scott,if I can be of service, happy to meet greet your mug and give you ground transportation as I am @ DC Beltway every week between Columbia & Goldvein. Go right past Bethesda. Several car guys there I see often. HWY 5,000' NO SFRA BS
410-302-3930
staffel@comcast.net Sherman
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Scott GAI is best choice for Bethesda. If you want closer in, I'm vetted. I'll come with you into College park or Potomac depending on what's closer for your appointment.
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Jim & Sherman ... thanks so much for the kind offer. Looks like I can cab it from KGAI to the Shady Grove Metro stop which has a stop right close to the hotel in Bethesda.
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Going to stay down on Connecticut Ave or up in Friendship Heights on Mass Ave? Stayed in both locations and will be happy to suggest restaurants, etc. also noted that if you come in from college park, red/green line transfer is actually Gallery Pl ( next stop from Metro Center)
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Normally I would take you up on that but it is a judging trip for National Housing Quality Award and we (three judges form 3 different companies,) basically spend all days, both days, with the builder and that evening we usually work till 10 PM doing all of our scoring, forms, etc. We have learned it goes much better and quicker if we just go it right then, together. thus we usually order room service and just keep working!
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

I may be at a conference later this week in Washington DC & was possibly thinking of flying in nearby, I am VFR coming down from Northeast. Any suggestions of smaller airports north of restricted airspace?
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

John- WEll, if you want to avoid SFRA ie Ft. Meade or College Park. MTN, North of SFRA is a good option. There is an Amtrack and MARC station there, but DC is still a good hour by train. Use to base there. Great Airport, self serve, easy parking. Safe.

FDK (N west of SFRA may have rental cars. HWY can arrange a rental car. How long do you plan be be in DC? I am between Columbia & Goldvein every week based on ;the To Do List'! staffel@comcast.net
 
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Re: Wash DC Advice Please

skirunner4 said:
I am VFR coming down from Northeast. Any suggestions of smaller airports north of restricted airspace?
Click to expand...

How are you interpreting "restricted airspace"?

The SFRA allows VFR traffic. Although I've taken the online course to get my certificate, I've never flown into the SFRA myself, but I'm told the procedures to get in and out are not too much of a burden. Just stay away from the FRZ (the inner red circle).

There are a bunch of choices on the north side (Tipton, Gaithersburg, Leesburg, and Freeway), and Manassas to the south. If you get a little more specific about where you're heading then maybe the folks living in that region and with more experience with those fields can make a more-informed recommendation.
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Sherman & Frank
thank you for your reply, I have not taken the course you referred to Frank. My conference is at the Marriott Wardman Park on Woodley Road NW Washington DC.
Thanks
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Freeway and Tipton are a real trick if your not used to real small and short runways with lots of trees and power lines at each end. None of the out lying airports are really "convenient" to DC metro really IMHO. Freeway is OK if your getting a rental car. Plan about 1 hour minimum inbound to DC if your going in rush hour and dont know the area well.
 
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