Flying news is theoretical for me at the moment. My plane is still trapped indefinitely at KGAI – 250 other planes marooned there, as I understand it approx 2,000 planes total in the DCA/JFK no-fly zones.
Jim,
Below is an email I received about the window to fly planes from GAI.
Art
justed talked to ATC at the below number and they said this is an old
procedure (as of 2 hours ago). They said the notams will be out latter
today that will clarify how this will work.
-----Original Message-----
Subject: FW: [TSS] UPDATE RE GAI DEPARTURE PLAN
Here is more late-breaking information from another owner at GAI:
Bart,
I just checked mcaa-md.org (montgomery county airport association’s web
site) and they posted an update this morning at 8:15 am which says something
different; they say the following:
ATC starting allowing aircraft to depart late yesterday. Request will be
handled on an individual basis and processed. Request must be faxed to ATC
at 703-904-4459 and must include call sign, type of aircraft, point and time
of departure from TFR (Washington DC no fly zone) and your phone number.
Follow up fax with a call to ATC at 703-787-8179. Processing takes time, not
instantaneous approvals. Departure will be staggered with other Maryland
airport departures. Good luck!
Supposedly, all departure flights out of GAI will have madatory checks of
the flight crew and their credentials by a law enforcement officer who will
escort the crew to their aircraft. This, however, is not the information
coming from ATC. Aircraft have been allowed to depart since public areas in
airport were closed yesterday without any security inspections taking place.
Stand by for update.
Wendy Carter.
(wendy is GAI airport manager.)
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Fwd: [TSS] UPDATE RE GAI DEPARTURE PLAN
Subject: [TSS] UPDATE RE GAI DEPARTURE PLAN
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2001 10:55:12 -0400
For information purposes… NOT final yet!
DRAFT OF THE FAA PLAN–THIS IS NOT FINAL UNTIL POSTED BY THE FAA
WHAT: Temporary/controlled release of aircraft inside the 25 mile
restricted veil of DCA. Aircraft will depart only, no arrivals.
WHY: Provide window to leave because the restriction is indefinite.
WHEN: Departure windows may be staggered by airport (not just by State)
for Maryland Airports. 0800L - 1200L on the following days…
28 and 29 September
05 and 06 October
2 and 13 October
WHO: FAA will determine the best departure sequence-possible staggered,
to be announced via NOTAM.
HOW: Exact departure procedures will be available via NOTAM, flight
service. This notice is merely in anticipation of the release. Flight
Crew- will have to file flight plan and obtain clearance. I believe
routing will be shortest route outside Class B. Before departing,
flight crew will need to be “screened” by law enforcement officer.
AIRPORT MGMT ROLE:
To safe guard the flight and ensure security…FAA will make mandatory
in one fashion or another…
-
Law Enforcement Officer shall be required to check the flight crew
and their credentials and provide escort to the aircraft. I suggest
working with the local Sheriffs Dept or local State Police barracks and
see if they can provide manpower on the times mentioned above. They
will need to be briefed.
-
Coordination of security between local airport and ATC to be
determined. For starters, I suggest maintaining a log of pilot,
certificate # as well as aircraft # to ensure security compliance (more
later)
Departure Profiles:
o Only required aircraft crew members are allowed in airplane.
o All departures will be away from the Metropolitan areas.
o All aircraft will proceed on course, away from the 25 nautical mile
(NM) restricted area, when they are outside the 25 NM restricted area.
o All aircraft will file either an IFR or VRF flight plan
o All aircraft will be on discrete beacon codes.
o All aircraft will maintain 2-way radio communication with FAA Ar
Traffic
Controllers.
o Direct communications link between New York and Washington Centers
and the north East Air Defense (NEAD) sector will be maintained
throughout the operation.
o Military aircraft on Combat Air Patrol (CAP) will remain in assigned
CAP position or coordinate for movement with appropriate ATC facility.
Note: point of departure security must be addressed. Due to proximity
to many high value targets, security procedures will be enacted. Local
law enforcement will examine the identification of all crew members and
escort them to the aircraft. All aircraft are restricted to departure
flight out of the 25 NM veil.