Jay Honeck wrote:
I gather you don't fly around D.C. much, and it doesn't sound like you
fly commercially very often.
You know, I've heard this a lot, since 9/11, and I'm tired of it. GA
flying in the DC area (other than in the prohibited areas around the
Mall) requires an ADIZ flight plan. You make a phone call, get a
squawk code, and go.
I know, because I've done it.
It's easy to do it once or twice, but doing it every day for years is a
different story. People get violated on a fairly regular basis, even
though they didn't do anything wrong. Equipment hicups, controller
errors, etc are all blamed on the pilot. If you live in the DC area,
there's a good chance it'll eventually get you. I've even known a head
flight instructor of a flight school, that flys in the ADIZ multiple
times a day, get violated. Here's a little story that I got off the
DCpilot's discussion group just this morning:
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Subj: Latest ADIZ Fiasco for my colleague - a ROYAL screwing
The forces of darkness didn't even use vaseline this
time..........................
Departing JYO thru Chesapeake sector VFR on a Saturday last year going
to ACY, the PIC (a good friend and colleague) called 'clear of the ADIZ'
once he felt he was more than a mile outside the boundary, according to
a (current and updated) KLN-94 database. The controller responded and
advised him to 'Squawk 1200'. He did so, and the aircraft continued on
to ACY. The PIC is a 6,000 hour former military pilot with several years
in the area, and several hundred hours in this aircraft, which he owns.
According to the writeup, the controller claims "I noticed after talking
to him that he was still 1/2 mile inside". ( I think someone called the
controller on it). There was a supervisor at the station at the time. I
think (here's the conspiracy theory) that the forces of darkness called
on the DEN and claimed he was still in. That's my opinion, I could be
wrong.
PIC was advised by ACY tower, after landing, to call land line. ACY Twr
advised he had violated the ADIZ and gave him the number for PCT. Upon
calling, was advised he was still 'inside the ADIZ when he switched,
according to radar'. (I smell the forces of darkness here...........) He
asked them to save the tapes, but didn't specify radar. They only saved
the voice tape.
At the hearing, they did NOT produce a radar picture, they would NOT
accept his ASRS form (claiming it didn't apply since he had a violation
two years ago), and said it was his responsibility to prove he was
actually out. Since the controller violated him, and the PIC doesn't
have recording capability on his GPS, there's no defense. He received a
120 day suspension of his license because he did what the controller
said to do.
RECOMMENDATION: DO NOT, under ANY circumstance, offer to PCT that you're
clear of the ADIZ. Let them tell you. The sad fact of the matter is that
no matter how good things seem to be getting (and Shenandoah sector is
getting TONS better lately, IMHO), the Gubmint is out to get us, and the
FAA is the pawn of the Forces of Darkness.
Hope this helps others avoid the mess.......
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--- Jay
--
Jay Masino "Home is where My critters are"
http://www.JayMasino.com
http://www.OceanCityAirport.com
http://www.oc-Adolfos.com