Flying into DC

[FloridaMan]

I have a wedding to attend in DC in a couple weeks. I figure I'll come in under an IFR flight plan to an airport in the ADIZ. Since I'll come in under IFR, I'm under the impression that I don't have to do any special training. However, I don't know the best way to get in to the city. I think the wedding is near the heart of DC, or rather, the middle, since DC has no heart. What's the best airport to fly into where I could get a quick route to public transportation that can get me into the city?

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[Cruiser]

While the FAA prescribed training for the SFRA around DC is technically for VFR flight, when you file the flight plan you will be asked if you are familiar with it even if you are IFR. It is possible that ATC (or you) may decide to cancel IFR and then you would be a VFR flight. It is a good idea to review the requirements and take the training. It doesn't take that long, all can be completed online.

 

http://www.aopa.org/Advocacy/Air-Traffic-Services-,-a-,-Technology/Air-Traffic-Services-Brief-FAA-Special-Awareness-Training-for-the-Washington-D-C-Metropolitan-Area

 

You will never get inside the FRZ, I went into KFME and rented a car. There are a couple of airports closer to DC but not much and if you rent, it really doesn't matter. Others here can offer preferences.

[MooneyBob]

I file IFR and put " Familiar with SFRA" in the remarks. The only difference is that you have to keep the squawk code until you stop on the ramp even if you canceled the IFR in the air.

[Mooneymite]

The most convenient airport is DCA which is basically out of the question for a private operator.  So most any other airport will require ground transportion to the downtown area.  (Rental car, taxi, Metro, or some combination.)  Flying into one of the DC-3 airports is pretty complicated for a one-time deal, so you are looking at outside airports like JYO, GAI, IAD, etc.

 

If you have friends also going to the wedding who are willing to provide transportation, that will simplify which outlying airport is best.  Otherwise, airport fees, rental cars, hotel choices will all have to be evaluated to come up with the best choice.  

 

Even if you fly in IFR, take the little on-line course and print out the certificate.  It doesn't take long and you'll have the VFR option if you need it.

(ALC-405: DC Special Flight Rules Area Revised 06-05-2014)

 

  https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?cID=55&preview=true

[laytonl]

I may have a trip to DC later this year and I was planning either Dulles or Manasses. For my last trip to DC I flew into National which means it's been a long time since I've been! Let us know which airport you choose. Lee

[Marauder]

Just be careful you don't cancel IFR. It wouldn't hurt to do the training just in case there is icing in the clouds and you decide to fly out VFR a under them. You will need to register on the site to record the completion of the course and need to carry the card with you.

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

[FloridaMan]

Anyone local to the area know if any of the available airports have a train that can take me into town? I'd rather not have to take a cab and the hotel is a few blocks from the mall.

[Steve65E-NC]

Manassas (KHEF) is right next to the commuter train tracks to downtown.  Most trains seem to be Washington inbound in the morning and outbound in the afternoon.  FBO was very helpful, check with them for info on train.

I think KHEF is outside the DCA perimeter. However, I would not fly anywhere near DC without the DCA Training Certificate in my bill fold and specific knowledge in my noggin. You can take this short, permanant, wings course at faasafety.gov and maybe through AOPA.    

[Marauder]

Anyone local to the area know if any of the available airports have a train that can take me into town? I'd rather not have to take a cab and the hotel is a few blocks from the mall.

I would post Seth. He is in and out of the area all of the time. I believe he also has the secret decoder ring to get into the FRZ.

[Jerry 5TJ]

I've flown into Gaithersburg, Maryland three times in the past two years.   I go IFR and I don't cancel until I'm on the ground.  

GAI has good rental car availability, 10 minute ride to the Shady Grove station of the DC Metro, reasonable airport fees.  

There's a good RNAV approach in from the west. 

I took the on-line course and carried the certificate but no one has asked to see it yet. 

If you file IFR there is really no major operational difference in the outer sector of the SFRA compared to the rest of the country.

As they say, plan your flight and fly your plan: Don't go missed and blunder off towards the south!

 

[Will W]

Hey

I'm intimately familiar with the area and requirements. Here are my thoughts.

Take the DC SFRA Training (If you refer to it as the ADIZ, people in flight service will start to worry because it hasn't been called that in years) on www.faasafety.gov

There is extremely important information you will get in the training even if you stay IFR. Print the completion certificate and have it on you. It is something that they can ramp check you for.

HEF is probably your best bet to get in cheaper but IAD is also very nice at getting you to public bus system. Just costs more to operate in there and if you aren't used to handling big airports, don't bother.

If you go to HEF, APP Jet is the best service!

JYO won't put you anywhere close to public transportation.

Understand DC prices are a lot higher because they know where they are and they know they can. I would seriously consider the added cost of DC area flying like fuel and overnight fees (don't leave a plane on the ramp the night before you fly and let it snow on the airframe). Also, it's winter season so I hope you have a flexible schedule. FL doesn't have the same surface temps as VA. That can cause all sorts of problems getting out IFR because you really can't touch any clouds right now without picking up ice.

Lastly, if I can say anything, it's about flying on a schedule or flexible. If you're flexible, then by all means fly yourself. If you're having to do all this On my way! schedule, winter time is not the time to fly up to DC and it can be hazardous this far north for ice. I noticed that you're in the F model and without known icing, you just can't guarantee a schedule and airlines are better in that case... Just have had a lot of icing issues around me this year and don't want you to add to the list.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

[gjkirsch]

I have flown in multiple times to Dulles.  No problems at all and controllers were great.  They usually just ask you how much speed you can give them and hold it as long as possible.  You won't have any problems in a Mooney.  The last time I flew in, they actually asked me to slow down.  

[lahso]

As others have said, do the online course and print the cert. I've flown into 2W5 (Indian Head), and had no issues. ATC does remind you to remain on beacon code after canceling. The airport is small, but is friendly and can get rental cars.

[GeorgePerry]

I have a wedding to attend in DC in a couple weeks. I figure I'll come in under an IFR flight plan to an airport in the ADIZ. Since I'll come in under IFR, I'm under the impression that I don't have to do any special training. However, I don't know the best way to get in to the city. I think the wedding is near the heart of DC, or rather, the middle, since DC has no heart. What's the best airport to fly into where I could get a quick route to public transportation that can get me into the city?

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Fly into FDK.  It's a bit of drive into DC but you don't have to do anything special if your on an IFR flight plan.  VFR you'll need to do the SFRA training course

[millhouse21]

If you're feeling adventurous, try Freeway airport (W00). It's right on the edge of the FRZ so it's about as close as you can get. The runway is very short and narrow with tall power lines on the north end so you kind of need to be on your game. However, lots of Mooneys go in there so it can definitely be done. Oh, the taxiing is fairly extreme.

[carusoam]

Welcome aboard Milhouse.

Best regards,

-a-

[Cris]

Fly into FDK.  It's a bit of drive into DC but you don't have to do anything special or get the SRFA training.

Actually FAR 91.161 as indicated on the VFR chart requires one to have taken this training when flying within 60nm of the DCA VOR. FDK is 37 nm or thereabouts from DCA VOR so one does have to have taken this training just to land there. Ugly but required.

[Marauder]

Fly into FDK. It's a bit of drive into DC but you don't have to do anything special or get the SRFA training.

Actually FAR 91.161 as indicated on the VFR chart requires one to have taken this training when flying within 60nm of the DCA VOR. FDK is 37 nm or thereabouts from DCA VOR so one does have to have taken this training just to land there. Ugly but required.

Cris - I think you're required to have the SFRA training when you are flying within the 60 DME ring and are VFR. Frederick is within the ring.

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

[GeorgePerry]

Cris - I think you're required to have the SFRA training when you are flying within the 60 DME ring and are VFR. Frederick is within the ring.

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

 

Marauder,

 

Thanks for covering my 6.  Your absolutely right.  FDK doesn't require an SFRA flight plan but it does require the training, unless you're on an IFR flight plan.  Sorry for my misspeak. Also, once you take the required training, there's a card you're supposed to carry with you proving to any FAA inspector that your in compliance.  See the pic

[Marauder]

Marauder,

Thanks for covering my 6. Your absolutely right. FDK doesn't require an SFRA flight plan but it does require the training. Sorry for my misspeak.

And I thought it was Cris who misstated since he didn't use the quote function. Should have read the rest of his message.

[aviatoreb]

I forgot about this proof of training - I did the training about 3 or 4 years ago.  Printed out the proof and I think it might be in my fold of personal information in the airplane but I can't remember.  I wonder if there is a way to reprint it without too much hastle - in case I lost it - in case of ramp check.  I'm looking.

 

I'm to DC or Bethesda 6 to 8 times a year - usually kgai to kfdk.  Google maps shows that KFDK is 14 minutes further out by car than KGAI from my typical Bethesda destination.  But I find I always spend just a few minutes longer on the ground at KGAI getting clearance to fly out given you are in more restricted space - not to mention the 2 or 3 minutes by air distance between them - so what I am saying is that in practice there may be only negligible time difference between them.  I do find KFDK to be a friendlier airport.

[Marauder]

I forgot about this proof of training - I did the training about 3 or 4 years ago. Printed out the proof and I think it might be in my fold of personal information in the airplane but I can't remember. I wonder if there is a way to reprint it without too much hastle - in case I lost it - in case of ramp check. I'm looking.

I'm to DC or Bethesda 6 to 8 times a year - usually kgai to kfdk. Google maps shows that KFDK is 14 minutes further out by car than KGAI from my typical Bethesda destination. But I find I always spend just a few minutes longer on the ground at KGAI getting clearance to fly out given you are in more restricted space - not to mention the 2 or 3 minutes by air distance between them - so what I am saying is that in practice there may be only negligible time difference between them. I do find KFDK to be a friendlier airport.

Erik -- when you took the training, you had to register on the FAA site. I would just log in and go to your completed training section. I would hope they allow a reprint. You should have been able to print out a wallet size card. I took this card and laminated the daylights out of it.

[Cris]

And I thought it was Cris who misstated since he didn't use the quote function. Should have read the rest of his message.[/quote

Yes I do not seem to have figured out how to do this correctly.

[Av8]

Manassas and Leesburg (jyo) are both convenient. Leesburg is my favorite as it's easy access to DC via Dulles access road66

If you don't want to rent a car you can can to metro (I think Reston is still closest to Leesburg, pretty sure there is commuter rail close to manassas

Very friend.y folks at FBO and flight school. They gave good suggestion first time I flew there - fly west VFR under Dulles airspace and pick up IFR in the air otherwise can sit long time waiting for release. Same applies going in - you can cancel IFR and avoid vectors depending on Dulles traffic.

Either way I'd take the sfra class before flying there - worth the time to be familiar. Print out the knee board cheat sheet for easy reference.

[John Pleisse]

Anyone local to the area know if any of the available airports have a train that can take me into town? I'd rather not have to take a cab and the hotel is a few blocks from the mall.

 

GAI is a 7 min cab ride to the Shady Grove metro station, or a 40 minute cab ride into the city. There are three, really close-in. College Park, Potomac/Hyde and Freeway, however, I would suggest they are a PITA to get transportation into the city. Virginia airports are also difficult. I always tell people that highways around here are congested and if you are entering DC from Virginia, you must cross at least one bridge and you'll deal with horrible traffic. Virgina has been a decade behind on road contruction since the 60's. It would not be smart for me to suggest Manasas or Leesburg, it could be over an hour into the city. Why not spend an extra 25 mins in your Mooney and do GAI, instead of wasting time elsewhere. Trade 25 mins of flying time for the same in traffic.