Flying into DC

[Mike A]

My wife and I have a wedding to attend in DC in September. Obviously we would like to fly, but I know that it is a pain in the ass to get into that area with all the security requirements. Is it worth jumping through all the loops to get cleared and obtain a pin or should I just find an airport outside the no fly zone and drive in? What have others done in the past?

[John Pleisse]

Which airport?

[N9453V]

I've flown into MTN (had to drop a pax off for a meeting in Baltimore anyways) and drove to DC, it was about an hour drive.

 

-Andrew

[Mike A]

Which airport?

 

I was looking at Potomoc or Washington Exec, but would be open to any airfield.  Both say you have to comply with 14 CFR SECTION 93.335\

 

An hour drive on top of the flight makes commercial look a bit better....

[gjkirsch]

I fly into MTN several times a year and they have rental cars on site.  I have not flown into Dulles in several years but there was not a reservation system in place at the time and it was private pilot friendly (especially in a Mooney when you can keep up with traffic ). 

[Rwsavory]

If you file and fly IFR you don't need to worry about it.  If you want to go VFR take the on-line training and file the special flight plan.  It shouldn't be a problem.

[Marauder]

You didn't indicate whether you have completed the required SFRA/FRZ FAA training. If not, this would give you an idea on what to expect and is required to fly into the airspace. Also, if you are IFR, things are easier.

 

Here is the link to the FAA training site for the course. When you complete it, you will get to print a small document that will allow you to be a card carrying member of the SFRA/FRZ club.

 

https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?cID=55&sID=315&searchresults=true&preview=true

[AmigOne]

Which direction are you coming from? it makes a big difference. Anyways from any airport just outside the SFRA it will take you about an hour or more to get to DC. From the south I'd recommend Culpeper, from the North Frederick and from the west Leesburg (inside the SFRA). From the east maybe Bay Bridge but I don't know if they have rental cars or enough transient parking. Even if the airports are outside the SFRA but within 50 miles of its boundary you have to take a qualifying test. I don't think Potomac or Washington are options unless you are prepared to go through the clearance procedures. No easy to live around here. I'm based at Culpeper, let me know if I can help you. Fuel cost at Dulles is $9.05/gal plus other charges.

[Beskra]

Whenever I have gone into DC, I have always flown into Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, MD, KGAI.  It is as easy to get into and out of as can be expected for DC.  I then take a cab to the Shady Grove Metro Station (5.5 miles away).  Cab is about $15, then the Metro will get you anywhere in DC.  I would love to fly into College Park, MD, but I have never taken the time to get the required PIN code.

 

Make sure to take the SFRA training and never squawk 1200. 

[AmigOne]

Whenever I have gone into DC, I have always flown into Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg, MD, KGAI.  It is as easy to get into and out of as can be expected for DC.  I then take a cab to the Shady Grove Metro Station (5.5 miles away).  Cab is about $15, then the Metro will get you anywhere in DC.  I would love to fly into College Park, MD, but I have never taken the time to get the required PIN code.

 

Make sure to take the SFRA training and never squawk 1200.

That would apply only when you are inside the SFRA and you could not enter the SFRA without a flight plan and a transponder code. And yes, while inside the SFRA going to an uncontrolled field, like KGAI or Leesburg, do not switch to 1200 until after you have landed. While outside the class B surrounding the SFRA and outside the SFRA you can squawk 1200. KGAI is a good suggestion, I had forgotten that it is so near the Metro station.

[John Pleisse]

I was looking at Potomoc or Washington Exec, but would be open to any airfield.  Both say you have to comply with 14 CFR SECTION 93.335\

 

An hour drive on top of the flight makes commercial look a bit better....

 

I have flown from DC to Orlando Exec many times. It is a long trip and tiring. Usually, 5.6 Tach. There are numerous choices around DC. Unless your destination was Northern Virginia or The District (in earnest), there is no need to land at Potomac or Hyde. Both are in an unsavory part of town with few airport amenities. PM if you want a lay of the DC land. There are numerous options. I am based on the NW side, but you can do it several ways.

[Glenn]

I use both Dulles and Leesburg a few times each year and have received good service at both.  If you call ahead a Hertz car is available at either.  Fuel is a lot less expensive at Leesburg.  You will however want to use your cell phone to pick up an IFR clearance on the ground prior to departure from Leesburg.  No PIN is required at either airport.

[Alan Fox]

I have flown this many times...Easier than requesting Bravo clearance , a real non issue....

[Seth]

I'm based at GAI and it is one of the easier airports to get into to use DC - however there are many options.

 

First off, as noted, make sure you take, print out, and have proof of the DC SFRA training.  Also, if you haven't been vetted yet to land at one of the DC3 (College Park, Executive, and Potomac) it's not going to happen quickly unless you take some time to hit the three different locations locally to get it done (in person at the airport you want, the FSDO, and then DCA or IAD for fingerprints).

 

Where is the wedding?  If it is downtown, you may not want a car in the city.  It's expensive to park and DC traffic can be horrible.  That being said, you may want a car as the wedding or events warrent the transportation.  If so . . .

 

HEF - Manassas - it's to the SouthWest of the city and I'm sure a rental car can be arranged or a cab ride (though expensive cab ride 30 minutes or 25 miles to the Vienna metro line - you can than take metro in).  Towered

 

IAD - Dulles - It's going to be more expensive but you can take a bus or super shuttle into the city. Towered.

 

JYO - Leesburg -  Again, to rent a car -  North of Dulles - further out - edge of SFRA.  Non towered.

 

GAI - Gaitherburg - Just North of the FRZ inside the SFRA - most likely they'll bring you north of Dulles and then over - 7-10 minute cab ride to the top of the Red line metro which wil put you right into the city.  If you are IFR or Flight Following, you can request the "East Side Trasition" which flies you on the East side of Dulles and the West edge just outside the FRZ - it'll shave a few minutes off the flight.  All depends on the controller and how busy / weather / etc.  Non-towered.

 

W00 - Freeway - You'll have to arrange a rental car prior to arrivial.  This is a tiny field literally a half mile from the FRZ on the West side of DC.  Be on your A game - tall trees on one end and power lines on the other of this TINY airstrip - I learned to fly my Mooney here - if you can operate at Freeway, you can operate anywhere.  It's the closest to downtown DC - right down route 50, but you have to drive through a not great area between Freeway and downtown DC.  Non towered.

 

 

Recommendation:  If you are not going to take a car into town, I suggest GAI.  If you are going to drive into town, go to Manassas as it's the quadrent you're coming from, and get the car from there and drive in.

 

Let me know if you have any more questions please let me know.

 

Take care,

 

-Seth

[Amelia]

If you have any reason to fly into DC on a regular basis, and have the opportunity to do so,arrange, somehow, to blow a whole darn day to get your Secret DC-Decoder Ring and PIN. It makes College Park, KCGS, a very good DC access airport, as it is only an easy 3 blocks from a Metro station. The runway is short, but the hospitality is great, the self serve fuel as reasonably-priced as any in the area, and parking is $10/night... Match THAT for parking a car anywhere in the District. I find that being on an IFR flight plan makes the whole thing entirely seamless. And the world's loveliest granddaughter will be at the top of the escalator five stops south waiting for us, jumping up and down with glee. Makes the whole silly security theater entirely bearable.

[Amelia]

Failing that, GAI and the $20 taxi ride makes as much sense as any other alternative. Everything else is at least an hour away, with awful traffic, and the car rental and parking hassle.