WASHINGTON, DC å- The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) in conjunction
with the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) today announced
enhanced airspace control measures in
the National Capital Region to a level
consistent with National Threat Level
Orange. 

“Terrorists are known to favor targets
in the transportation sector and to
consider our civil aviation system an
arsenal of improvised weapons,” said
DOT Under Secretary James M. Loy, head
of the Transportation Security
Administration. “The Washington capital
region is home to a number of
particularly symbolic targets which
must be protected.  We appreciate the
cooperation of the general aviation
community as we implement sound
security measures and tighten our
defenses during this period of
heightened alert.”

The new airspace control measures
create an Air Defense Identification
Zone in the airspace under 18,000 feet
in roughly a 30-mile radius around
Washington, and further enhance
security measures in the 15-mile Flight
Restricted Zone around the district.
(The text of the NOTAM and a detailed
map of the affected area will be
provided to Flight Service Stations
this weekend and will be available at
www.faa.gov.)  Agency officials said
they had designed the restrictions to
increase security while allowing local
general aviation airports to remain in
operation.

“As pilots in the National Capital
Region know all too well, proper pre-
flight planning requires them to check
for and review Notices to Airmen prior
to every flight,” said FAA
Administrator Marion C. Blakey.  “As
all federal, local and state agencies
work together to respond to an
increased threat level, the FAA will
redouble its efforts to get the pilot
community timely, accurate information
and to balance current security needs
with the needs of the flying public.”

The new measures, which become
effective at 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10,
will require general aviation pilots to
maintain two-way radio communications,
use a transponder and discrete beacon
code, file IFR/VFR flight plans and
follow standard air traffic procedures
before entering the ADIZ. All existing
waivers in the Flight Restricted Zone
have been cancelled, but will be re-
evaluated and reissued by the TSA, as
appropriate.

In response to the declaration of
National Threat Level Orange (high
risk), the TSA has taken a number of
actions to increase the level of
security across the nation`s aviation
system. TSA is enacting additional
security measures for U.S. aircraft
operators, U.S. airports and
international departures from the
United States.

The TSA is coordinating with the FAA to
ensure that appropriate flight
restrictions are in place. The TSA
requires increased inspections and
surveillance of airport terminals and
perimeters and areas controlled by
aircraft operators as well as the
posting of a law enforcement officer at
all high traffic areas. Vehicle
restrictions also have been
implemented.  Additionally, TSA is
working with local law enforcement to
increase security at general aviation
fields in the Washington, DC region.
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