Current KJYO VFR Procedures

[Marauder]

I will be flying another Mooney member over to KJYO (Leesburg, VA) tomorrow. Anyone current on the VFR procedures entering the area? I am reading there is no longer a flight plan requirement and a squak only requirement of 1227 & 1226 depending if you are coming or going. Nothing about talking to Potomac. Anyone who can enlighten me on the current changes?

Also, if I go in IFR, since they are an uncontrolled field, can I cancel before landing or do I need to ground cancel? If I can cancel before landing, do I need to change over to the 1227 code?

Thanks for any insight.

 

 

[Oscar Avalle]

I flew into the DCA area recently and was not sure about how the procedure worked in the real world. What I did was to file IFR and then cancel. In my case they told me to keep the squawk until I was on the ground. I am sure that it can be done easier, but this kept my blood pressure low.

[Marauder]

I flew into the DCA area recently and was not sure about how the procedure worked in the real world. What I did was to file IFR and then cancel. In my case they told me to keep the squawk until I was on the ground. I am sure that it can be done easier, but this kept my blood pressure low.

Thanks Oscar. Leesburg's procedure seems to have changed. If it was a controlled field, I would just file and be done with it. But with it being uncontrolled, I am wondering what to expect in terms of cancellation. It would make sense to keep the squak.

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[Ned Gravel]

Leesburg has a different set of procedures than something like Gaithersburg (where Seth is parked).  IIRC, Leesburg has an "in" and an "out" procedure but the squawk codes you get before entering the SFRA (POTOMAC TRACON) for any of the GA airports affected are yours all the way to the ground (I think they want to somehow confirm that you are on the ground and no longer flying) - even if you cancel IFR in the air. 

YMMV.  Good luck.

[Shadrach]

Chris,

See link!

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/May/15/New-notam-simplifies-ops-at-Leesburg-Virginia-airport

As of last year, 1227 is no longer used.

1226 is used for for both ingress and egress and does not require a flight plan (SFRA or otherwise).

Pattern work still requires a discreet squawk and SFRA flight plan.

If you are traveling IFR or receiving VFR advisories you may or may not be asked to switch to 1226 when entering the designated airspace.

I've flown in with and without talking to ATC, I feel more comfortable with the former.

[Oscar Avalle]

My short recent experience in the area is that if you cancel IFR in the air ATC advises you what you should to regarding your squawk. In doubt I would ask. What will they do? Yell at you and not tell you what to do?

oscar

[Mooneymite]

Isn't there a test in progress at JYO of a remote tower?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/10/26/saab-test-remote-air-traffic-control-tower-leesburg-virginia/74616164/&ved=0ahUKEwjD4f253sXJAhXCuBQKHaypAVAQFggkMAM&usg=AFQjCNGf9pQAzIjCl8aeiZSjAg4HvrQ4vQ&sig2=l3FbY1z2ODy9IsLUKmMQyQ

[Ned Gravel]

4 hours ago, Shadrach said:

Chris,

See link!

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/May/15/New-notam-simplifies-ops-at-Leesburg-Virginia-airport

As of last year, 1227 is no longer used.

1226 is used for for both ingress and egress and does not require a flight plan (SFRA or otherwise).

Pattern work still requires a discreet squawk and SFRA flight plan.

If you are traveling IFR or receiving VFR advisories you may or may not be asked to switch to 1226 when entering the designated airspace.

I've flown in with and without talking to ATC, I feel more comfortable with the former.

+1.  I stand corrected.  

[Seth]

Three ways to enter.  I'll shoot you a PM if you'd like to have a phone conversation to lower the blood pressure.

1.  File IFR.  Never squak 1200.  You will be directed to Leesburg and when you have it in sight, let Potomac Appraich know with "Potomac Appraxh, Mooney XXXL (for your frequent passengers), Leesburg in sight, Cancelling IFR."  Potomac Approach will respond with.  "Mooney XXXL, IFR cancellation received, keep your current squak code, frequency change approved."  You'll say "Keep the code, frequncy change approved, XXL."

 Then switch to the Unicom and announce your usual traffic pattern self reports and intentions.  Never squak 1200 inside the SFRA.  

2.  File a VFR SFRA flight plan and contact Potomac on 132.77 as you get close to the SFRA.  It's like a Bravo clearance to fly VFR under the Bravo.

"Potomac Approach, Mooney XXXL, 3000 feet, 5 miles north of Westminster VOR, SFRA on file"

"Mooney XXXL Squak 6632, remain clear if SFRA"

"Squak 6632, remain clear of SFRA, XXL"

about a minute later

"Mooney XXXL, Potomac Approach, cleared into SFRA, Proceed on course, Remain Clear of class bravo airspace"

"Porceed on course, remain clear of Bravo, XXL"

The fly to Leesburg as if your were on a VFR flight following plan except ATC is expecting you to slowly descend so you do not need to advise them as such.  You may be asked to switch frequencies and when time permits, ATC will call out traffic.  Stay below the Bravo, and when you have Leesburg in sight:

 "Potomac Appraxh, Mooney XXXL,Leesburg in sight."  

Potomac Approach will respond with.  "Mooney XXXL, keep your current squak code, frequency change approved."

"Keep the code. Frequency change approved, XXL."

Then switch to the Unicom and announce your usual traffic pattern self reports and intentions.  Never squak 1200 inside the SFRA.  

 

3.  Option 3.  I've never done it.  Approach the SFRA from the North West and only enter in the Leesberg Manuvering area.  As you near the SFRA, squak 1226, and monitor the Leesburg Unicom providing position reports and traffic patten reports.  You do not have to speak with Potomac Approach but you can only flying in and out of the SFRA in the airspace noted (small triangle like cutout) that's part of the SFRA to the west and North of Leesburg.  I want to try this sometime.

 

If you are coming from NJ, I'd file IFR or an SFRA VFR flight plan so that I can continue the straight line and be in touch with ATC when around the SFRA.  I do want to try option 3 at some point.

 

Never squak 1200 inside the SFRA. 

 

Good luck!

 

-Seth

[Marauder]

Three ways to enter.  I'll shoot you a PM if you'd like to have a phone conversation to lower the blood pressure.

1.  File IFR.  Never squak 1200.  You will be directed to Leesburg and when you have it in sight, let Potomac Appraich know with "Potomac Appraxh, Mooney XXXL (for your frequent passengers), Leesburg in sight, Cancelling IFR."  Potomac Approach will respond with.  "Mooney XXXL, IFR cancellation received, keep your current squak code, frequency change approved."  You'll say "Keep the code, frequncy change approved, XXL."

 Then switch to the Unicom and announce your usual traffic pattern self reports and intentions.  Never squak 1200 inside the SFRA.  

2.  File a VFR SFRA flight plan and contact Potomac on 132.77 as you get close to the SFRA.  It's like a Bravo clearance to fly VFR under the Bravo.

"Potomac Approach, Mooney XXXL, 3000 feet, 5 miles north of Westminster VOR, SFRA on file"

"Mooney XXXL Squak 6632, remain clear if SFRA"

"Squak 6632, remain clear of SFRA, XXL"

about a minute later

"Mooney XXXL, Potomac Approach, cleared into SFRA, Proceed on course, Remain Clear of class bravo airspace"

"Porceed on course, remain clear of Bravo, XXL"

The fly to Leesburg as if your were on a VFR flight following plan except ATC is expecting you to slowly descend so you do not need to advise them as such.  You may be asked to switch frequencies and when time permits, ATC will call out traffic.  Stay below the Bravo, and when you have Leesburg in sight:

 "Potomac Appraxh, Mooney XXXL,Leesburg in sight."  

Potomac Approach will respond with.  "Mooney XXXL, keep your current squak code, frequency change approved."

"Keep the code. Frequency change approved, XXL."

Then switch to the Unicom and announce your usual traffic pattern self reports and intentions.  Never squak 1200 inside the SFRA.  

 

3.  Option 3.  I've never done it.  Approach the SFRA from the North West and only enter in the Leesberg Manuvering area.  As you near the SFRA, squak 1226, and monitor the Leesburg Unicom providing position reports and traffic patten reports.  You do not have to speak with Potomac Approach but you can only flying in and out of the SFRA in the airspace noted (small triangle like cutout) that's part of the SFRA to the west and North of Leesburg.  I want to try this sometime.

 

If you are coming from NJ, I'd file IFR or an SFRA VFR flight plan so that I can continue the straight line and be in touch with ATC when around the SFRA.  I do want to try option 3 at some point.

 

Never squak 1200 inside the SFRA. 

 

Good luck!

 

-Seth

Thanks all. Seth -- got your PM. I think I am going to try option 3. Shadrach I did not know about the one code. I will need to check my documentation again.

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[Seth]

Yeah, it used to be two codes but all the recent documentation shows one code.

 

if you go option 3 understand that you have to enter from the north west side.  So you'll fly between camp David and he SFRA, over FDK (stay above their airspace), then wrap around to the south and then enter (if you are coming from NJ).

Let us know how it goes! 

It also streamlines departure VFR to just head Northwest with a code 1226 (akin to 1200) and go ".  Haven't been able to do that since 2001 out of GAI.  A real shame.

 

Have a great fight.  Looks like a good day!

 

-Seth

[cliffy]

Isn't there some kind of training by computer for the Feds before one goes within 60 miles of the area? I've never done it but may try this next summer. 

[Marauder]

Isn't there some kind of training by computer for the Feds before one goes within 60 miles of the area? I've never done it but may try this next summer. 

I completed the training a couple of years ago. You also need to print out the completion card and carry that with you.

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[Marauder]

Yeah, it used to be two codes but all the recent documentation shows one code.

 

if you go option 3 understand that you have to enter from the north west side.  So you'll fly between camp David and he SFRA, over FDK (stay above their airspace), then wrap around to the south and then enter (if you are coming from NJ).

Let us know how it goes! 

It also streamlines departure VFR to just head Northwest with a code 1226 (akin to 1200) and go ".  Haven't been able to do that since 2001 out of GAI.  A real shame.

 

Have a great fight.  Looks like a good day!

 

-Seth

I will be going from N57 direct to EMI then MRB. I saw KFDK was in the route path and planned to overfly it and then descend. Also need to keep out of Martinsburg Class D as a make the turn from MRB.

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[Marauder]

Yeah, it used to be two codes but all the recent documentation shows one code.

 

if you go option 3 understand that you have to enter from the north west side.  So you'll fly between camp David and he SFRA, over FDK (stay above their airspace), then wrap around to the south and then enter (if you are coming from NJ).

Let us know how it goes! 

It also streamlines departure VFR to just head Northwest with a code 1226 (akin to 1200) and go ".  Haven't been able to do that since 2001 out of GAI.  A real shame.

 

Have a great fight.  Looks like a good day!

 

-Seth

I checked the current NOTAM for the KJYO maneuvering area and it is showing 1226 for egress and ingress. Looks like a lot of planes are based there! Might be a real zoo since the weather will be nice.

I flew this afternoon and have never seen so many ADS-B traffic hits in a 60 mile flight. The haze extended to 3500' and I got above it. Saw and avoided 4 "near miss" situations. The scariest one was a twin who was descended while I was climbing. I evaded right and he turned into me. 300 knot closure speed.

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[Shadrach]

15 hours ago, Mooneymite said:

Isn't there a test in progress at JYO of a remote tower?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/10/26/saab-test-remote-air-traffic-control-tower-leesburg-virginia/74616164/&ved=0ahUKEwjD4f253sXJAhXCuBQKHaypAVAQFggkMAM&usg=AFQjCNGf9pQAzIjCl8aeiZSjAg4HvrQ4vQ&sig2=l3FbY1z2ODy9IsLUKmMQyQ

Ugh...appearently they're just "watching" right now. Just think, with this excellent technology, they could remotely control almost any airport in the country. Yay! 

[Andy95W]

1 hour ago, Shadrach said:

Ugh...appearently they're just "watching" right now. Just think, with this excellent technology, they could remotely control almost any airport in the country. Yay! 

And eventually charge user fees for take-offs and landings.  Yay!

 

[Shadrach]

32 minutes ago, N1395W said:

And eventually charge user fees for take-offs and landings.  Yay!

Agreed. I am pretty sure that automated fee collection is already happening at the state level. I think that I have received fees in the mail from CYX (Capital City (PA)) and BKL (Burke Lakefront (OH)).  I believe that these were generated by some sort of automated process by the state.

[Marauder]

Chris,

See link!

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/May/15/New-notam-simplifies-ops-at-Leesburg-Virginia-airport

As of last year, 1227 is no longer used.

1226 is used for for both ingress and egress and does not require a flight plan (SFRA or otherwise).

Pattern work still requires a discreet squawk and SFRA flight plan.

If you are traveling IFR or receiving VFR advisories you may or may not be asked to switch to 1226 when entering the designated airspace.

I've flown in with and without talking to ATC, I feel more comfortable with the former.

Yeah, it used to be two codes but all the recent documentation shows one code.

 

if you go option 3 understand that you have to enter from the north west side.  So you'll fly between camp David and he SFRA, over FDK (stay above their airspace), then wrap around to the south and then enter (if you are coming from NJ).

Let us know how it goes! 

It also streamlines departure VFR to just head Northwest with a code 1226 (akin to 1200) and go ".  Haven't been able to do that since 2001 out of GAI.  A real shame.

 

Have a great fight.  Looks like a good day!

 

-Seth

Flew out there this morning. No issues getting in VFR. Lots of traffic. Ended up flying a circle on final because people were trying to make their void times. FDK was covered with fog as were a few other airports on the way. Thanks for the help navigating the trip. Squeezing under the Bravo and avoiding the hills was interesting.

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[Seth]

The location with the hills and getting under the bravo, in combination with sometimes the fog or wind from the Appalachian mountains is why I suggested IFR or filing the SFRA VFR plan and approaching from the North East - less hills to deal with.  You were perfectly safe, just one less thing to consider.  

Glad it worked and now I really do want to try the 1226 transponder sometime from that side.  I have family that live in Ashburn, VA now, a 10 minute drive from Leesburg, and some fun flights for my neice, nephew, brother and sister in law could be a lot of fun.  Flying out and back using 1226 sure makes it like 1200 at airports outside the SFRA.  Wish we could do something similar at GAI.  Heck, wish we could land at DCA without jumping through hoops (you can if you land at IAD, have the plane searched and ride with a security officer on board to DCA).

 

-Seth

[Marauder]

The location with the hills and getting under the bravo, in combination with sometimes the fog or wind from the Appalachian mountains is why I suggested IFR or filing the SFRA VFR plan and approaching from the North East - less hills to deal with.  You were perfectly safe, just one less thing to consider.  

Glad it worked and now I really do want to try the 1226 transponder sometime from that side.  I have family that live in Ashburn, VA now, a 10 minute drive from Leesburg, and some fun flights for my neice, nephew, brother and sister in law could be a lot of fun.  Flying out and back using 1226 sure makes it like 1200 at airports outside the SFRA.  Wish we could do something similar at GAI.  Heck, wish we could land at DCA without jumping through hoops (you can if you land at IAD, have the plane searched and ride with a security officer on board to DCA).

 

-Seth

The hills were interesting to contend with both going in and out. With the Class B overlaying ring over Leesburg at 1,500, it made for an interesting arrival and departure. The weather over Leesburg was beautiful but I could tell that if it wasn't, VFR would have been challenging.

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