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Wash DC Advice Please

Re: Wash DC Advice Please

I have not taken the course you referred to

There are three airspace "rings" around DC. The inner ring is the FRZ, and don't think about going there (unless you want to land an ultralight on the Capitol lawn). The middle ring is the SFRA boundary. The outer ring is the 60nm SFRA "veil".

In order to fly VFR into the 60nm veil you must have completed the free, FAA-provided online course. That means you must pass the course even if you only plan on going to Martin State or Frederick.

For the closer fields (Tipton, Gaithersburg, etcetera) you also need only pass the same course. However, you must also file an SFRA flight plan, and enter/exit the SFRA through prescribed airspace "gates", and be in contact with ATC and squawk an assigned transponder code. All of which is discussed in the online course.

Step 1, then, before you consider flying to that conference, is to take and pass the course, and print out your certificate of completion:

http://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/courseLanding.aspx?cID=405

Since there is a Metro station near the Marriot, your best plan might be the same advice that Bailey had given to Sedam: fly into Gaithersburg and take a cab to the Metro station, or just rent a car and drive in.
 
Wash DC Advice Please

GAI is convenient and easy to get into NW DC without needing a DC3 super decoder ring password. 20 min to/from NW DC if not going during rush hour. Hotels in area (with shuttle from airport if needed. Hertz LE will leave a rental car at airport. Metro station 5-10 min from airport. Restaurant in FBO building. Reasonable GPS/RNAV instrument approaches if wx is funky.

Take the FRZ/SFRA course before you go. Doesn't take long and we don't need any more GA bad press for zone incursions.
 
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Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Elliot, Frank & Bill

Thanks for insight & experience, I will take the course and look at all of your suggestions.
Thanks again!
John
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Jim Bunn is based on Tipton (KFME) and is a regular flyer traversing the SFRA.

Jim-boy, you awake??
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

He has his feet up sitting by the pool with a carafe of mai tai's close at hand. "First of the Day!" It's good to be Jim...
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

turns out my trip will be cut short, in & out in one day so I'll fly commercial. Thanks for folks suggestions, I will take the course Frank mentioned to have that out of the way for next time.
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

I regularly fly in and out of the DC airspace. I highly recommend BWI for downtown DC access and GAI for Montgomery County including Bethesda easy access. At BWI. Signature will drive you the 5 minutes to the train station.
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Jerry -would like to coordinate with you when you come to BWI. Just 12 mins from our Columbia home. Did all my flight training at BWI flight school '76-'78. IFR work in Commander in '79. Based BWI 79-mid 80s until the BIG International expansion. All pre Signature. Butler was tge GA access. Dating myself again. Seems like 'Aviation Memories Month'.
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Jerry
I flew into Westchester on Monday parked at Millionaire & same deal, they drove me to the train, at Grand Central 40 minutes later - same deal.
thanks
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

I regularly fly in and out of the DC airspace. I highly recommend BWI for downtown DC access and GAI for Montgomery County including Bethesda easy access. At BWI. Signature will drive you the 5 minutes to the train station.

Thanks Jerry. Great idea. Never would have thought of that!
 
Re: Wash DC Advice Please

Scott for where you want to go Bethesda go to GAI call airport ahead give them arrival time they will have cab waiting. If you're late the can meter is running so be punctual.
Else get there call Unicom on taxi & cab should be there in 15 min.
Cab to Shady Grove about $20 then ride Metro its fast to Bethesda.
BWI is 1hr+ away have to Train to Union station & then take Red Line Metro.

PS Hi all sorry for long absense.
 
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