Joe Johnson wrote:

The TZ bridge is within the outer area mentioned above. I had a transponder
code (point 2 above) assigned by approach, but was not on an active flight
plan filed with and AFSS(point 1 above). Questions:

1. Is my interpretation that I was not authorized to fly to the bridge
correct, or is a transponder code assigned by ATC tantamount to a flight
plan?

I agree with your interpretation -- a transponder code is not a flight plan.

2. If I had flown to the bridge and been intercepted, would it have been an
adequate defense that approach ATC had cleared me to that location?

The last official notice I read on that subject was about a year ago. IIRC, it would
not have been an adequate defense. Things may have changed, but I doubt it.

George Patterson
If a man gets into a fight 3,000 miles away from home, he *had* to have
been looking for it.