Arlington National

[wby0nder]

I've got an event at the big cemetary in mid sept. Wondering what's the closest airport I could fly in to in a non transponder equipped light GA plane without getting shot down or violated.

M

 

[AdamZ]

Matt the closet three outside the mode C veil are Culpepper Regional ( KCJR) to the South West , Stafford Regional (KRMN) to the South and Winchester Regional (KOKV) to the West.

I think Culpepper and probably more so Stafford will get you to Arlington faster.

 

[BenZwebner]

Matt the closet three outside the mode C veil are Culpepper Regional ( KCJR) to the South West , Stafford Regional (KRMN) to the South and Winchester Regional (KOKV) to the West.

I think Culpepper and probably more so Stafford will get you to Arlington faster.

I agree with Adam, Culpepper or Staffor. Winchester is really far out there...

You could also try Carroll County (KDMW) or Frederick, MD (KFDK)

 

[TMetzinger]

Winchester is out there, but it's a very straight shot in on I-66. Culpepper is close to US-29, and Stafford requires I-95.

Middle of the day? Culpepper is probably the best shot, followed by OKV. Other times, OKV is the most convenient.

What are your plans for ground transport?

-Tim (from Fairfax, VA)

 

[wsuffa]

Winchester is out there, but it's a very straight shot in on I-66. Culpepper is close to US-29, and Stafford requires I-95.

Middle of the day? Culpepper is probably the best shot, followed by OKV. Other times, OKV is the most convenient.

Winchester is further out, and it's not quite a straight shot on I-66. You've got two choices: I-81 to I-66 or US-50 East to I-66. US 50 IS a straight shot.

Midday? Stafford is OK. an I-95 shouldn't be so bad (once you get to Woodbridge you've got a choice of staying on 95 or taking US 1 over to the GW Parkway).

Culpeper is right on the edge of the IAD 30 mile transponder ring. If you choose Culpeper, fly carefully.

 

[poadeleted20]

You could also try Carroll County (KDMW) or Frederick, MD (KFDK)

Frederick is inside the Mode C veil, and unless you land on 16 and depart on 34, so is Carroll County. Not good choices with no transponder right next to the SFRA with Huntress watching every move.

 

[BenZwebner]

Frederick is inside the Mode C veil, and unless you land on 16 and depart on 34, so is Carroll County. Not good choices with no transponder right next to the SFRA with Huntress watching every move.

Thats right! Totally forgot about the Mode C Veil, I was only considering the SFRA!

 

[vontresc]

Matt would the fly baby be exempt from the Mode C requirement?

§ 91.215 ATC transponder and altitude reporting equipment and use.

(a) All airspace: U.S.-registered civil aircraft. For operations not conducted under part 121 or 135 of this chapter, ATC transponder equipment installed must meet the performance and environmental requirements of any class of TSO-C74b (Mode A) or any class of TSO-C74c (Mode A with altitude reporting capability) as appropriate, or the appropriate class of TSO-C112 (Mode S).
(b) All airspace. Unless otherwise authorized or directed by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft in the airspace described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5) of this section, unless that aircraft is equipped with an operable coded radar beacon transponder having either Mode 3/A 4096 code capability, replying to Mode 3/A interrogations with the code specified by ATC, or a Mode S capability, replying to Mode 3/A interrogations with the code specified by ATC and intermode and Mode S interrogations in accordance with the applicable provisions specified in TSO C–112, and that aircraft is equipped with automatic pressure altitude reporting equipment having a Mode C capability that automatically replies to Mode C interrogations by transmitting pressure altitude information in 100-foot increments. This requirement applies—
(1) All aircraft. In Class A, Class B, and Class C airspace areas;
(2) All aircraft. In all airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in appendix D, section 1 of this part from the surface upward to 10,000 feet MSL;
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2) of this section, any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed, balloon or glider may conduct operations in the airspace within 30 nautical miles of an airport listed in appendix D, section 1 of this part provided such operations are conducted—
(i) Outside any Class A, Class B, or Class C airspace area; and
(ii) Below the altitude of the ceiling of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport or 10,000 feet MSL, whichever is lower; and
(4) All aircraft in all airspace above the ceiling and within the lateral boundaries of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport upward to 10,000 feet MSL; and
(5) All aircraft except any aircraft which was not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or which has not subsequently been certified with such a system installed, balloon, or glider—

 

[tonycondon]

yes the flybaby was and still is exempt from the Mode C ring.

if he wants to be there by mid september hopefully he already left.

 

[poadeleted20]

It may be exempt, but if you're looking at FDK or DMW, I'd still call Potomac ahead of time and be in contact with them on arrival. Otherwise Huntress is going to get excited when they see a primary-only target headed inbound without coordination with Potomac even at Fly Baby speeds. In the DC area, being right might not prevent being detained while they determine that you were right.

 

[TMetzinger]

I believe it's possible to have a transponder-equipped airplane escort you in to the SFRA, but I'd need to call Potomac to get the procedure right. Such an escort could also help if you went to Frederick or Manassas.

 

[poadeleted20]

I believe it's possible to have a transponder-equipped airplane escort you in to the SFRA, but I'd need to call Potomac to get the procedure right. Such an escort could also help if you went to Frederick or Manassas.

That's true, but it's more trouble than it's worth unless you really have to ferry the plane somewhere for avionics work, and once you go in or out, they'll want it fixed before you go back the other way. In any event, for the OP's situation, I doubt that's going to be practical, especially finding an aircraft formation-compatible with his Fly Baby.

 

[TMetzinger]

We used this procedure to bring in a similar airplane for Dulles Family Day a few years back - it was slow flight in the 172 and cruise for the other airplane, but it worked fine with proper coordination.