June 4 AOPA Fly-In & ADIZ incursions

Seeing as the big AOPA shindig is in Frederick, MD this weekend,
anybody wanna guess how many GA pilots bust the D.C. ADIZ? In spite of
AOPA's publishing the arrival procedures I'm thinking Saturday will be
a busy day for the Air Force...

Let's see, I've managed to bust the ADIZ on the east side once, I've
botched the AOPA arrival procedure once, I've unknowingly violated the
old Camp David prohibited zone (didn't know until Navy mentioned it at
subsequent pilot meeting)...

I think I'll stay home.

But if you go, let me share some lessons learned:
- There is ZERO tolerance for ADIZ or Prohibited Zone penetration - you
touch it, you will be called on it
- You can't over-brief yourself on any aspect of the flight. Know the
procedures, the airspace, the rules, your aircraft, your equipment, etc.
- IFR is better but not recommended by AOPA if VFR prevails so plan for
a VFR arrival

Have fun and stay blissfully anonymous.

wrote:
Seeing as the big AOPA shindig is in Frederick, MD this weekend,
anybody wanna guess how many GA pilots bust the D.C. ADIZ? In spite of
AOPA's publishing the arrival procedures I'm thinking Saturday will be
a busy day for the Air Force...

Maule Driver wrote:

Let's see, I've managed to bust the ADIZ on the east side once, I've
botched the AOPA arrival procedure once, I've unknowingly violated the
old Camp David prohibited zone (didn't know until Navy mentioned it at
subsequent pilot meeting)...

You violated the Camp David P zone and didn't have the FAA come calling?


Matt

It was long time ago (pre-9/11, pre-GPS) in a place far far away (one of
my first glider races).

There was no transponder involved and no radio contact. But I did get
caught anonymously.

The race was with 20+ sailplanes and the day's task went NW out of
Fairfield PA (W73)then east before returning to Fairfield.

On the first leg, I got low and lost near Chambersburg. After climbing
up and spending some time with the map, I became completely disoriented
and flew Southeast towards the ridges instead of NW towards the other
ridges (good pilotage lesson here about the compass).

Low, lost and circling again, I simply thermaled around for an hour or 2
trying to match the geo with the chart. I had no luck, saw no other
sailplanes and since it's against the rules to get help from the ground,
I didn't ask for help. So after ejecting a few relief bags over terra
incognito, I finally spotted the home airport area and landed. I was in
last place that day.

Two days later, some Navy people showed up to talk to the contest
director (CD) about a Camp David airspace violation by a glider (I guess
the Navy does the presidential security at Camp David?). At that
morning's pilot briefing, the CD told us of the meeting but explained
how he assured the Navy that it couldn't have been a contest glider
because we were tasked in the opposite direction that day. I remained
quiet.

Was it me? Absolutely. How close did I get? This was a long time ago
when the prohibited zone was very small and didn't expand when the Prez
was visiting.

But apparently the Prez was in the house - sorry for the relief bag Ronnie.

Matt Whiting wrote:
Maule Driver wrote:

Let's see, I've managed to bust the ADIZ on the east side once, I've
botched the AOPA arrival procedure once, I've unknowingly violated the
old Camp David prohibited zone (didn't know until Navy mentioned it at
subsequent pilot meeting)...


You violated the Camp David P zone and didn't have the FAA come calling?


Matt

wrote:
Seeing as the big AOPA shindig is in Frederick, MD this weekend,
anybody wanna guess how many GA pilots bust the D.C. ADIZ? In spite of
AOPA's publishing the arrival procedures I'm thinking Saturday will be
a busy day for the Air Force...

Well since the flight procedures for holding on the NOTAM route you
through the ADIZ, I would expect we will have problems. That entire
AOPA Flyin procedure is a poopstorm anyhow.

wrote:
Seeing as the big AOPA shindig is in Frederick, MD this weekend,
anybody wanna guess how many GA pilots bust the D.C. ADIZ? In spite of
AOPA's publishing the arrival procedures I'm thinking Saturday will be
a busy day for the Air Force...

I don't think there will be many, if any, VFR flights into Frederick on
Saturday. The weather forecast is looking pretty stinko (a.m. drizzle,
low ceilings, etc.). Afternoon might be O.K. but there still might be
scattered showers about. I've already cancelled my plane reservation for
Saturday. Fortunately, its only and hour and a quarter drive for me. So
I'll still be there and try not to put the wife and I into the pour house.

I could have driven as well. An hour and half ride but it is just
against my principle to drive to a fly-in.
Michelle

Arnold Sten wrote:

wrote:

Seeing as the big AOPA shindig is in Frederick, MD this weekend,
anybody wanna guess how many GA pilots bust the D.C. ADIZ? In spite of
AOPA's publishing the arrival procedures I'm thinking Saturday will be
a busy day for the Air Force...

I don't think there will be many, if any, VFR flights into Frederick
on Saturday. The weather forecast is looking pretty stinko (a.m.
drizzle, low ceilings, etc.). Afternoon might be O.K. but there still
might be scattered showers about. I've already cancelled my plane
reservation for Saturday. Fortunately, its only and hour and a quarter
drive for me. So I'll still be there and try not to put the wife and I
into the pour house.