In case you were planning a meandering sightseeing flight anywhere near the D.C. area on January 20, you would do well to just forget about it. The FAA has established President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration day as a “National Special Security Event” and issued a flight advisory, available at faa.gov. In part, the advisory warns pilots of additional restrictions in effect between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. local time. The current Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) will be modified and designated as “National Defense Airspace.” Anyone violating terms of the NOTAM are subject to civil penalties and loss of their certificate; criminal prosecution; or even deadly force, if their flight is determined to “pose an imminent security threat.” Pilots violating the terms of the NOTAM may be “intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement/security personnel.” It will probably be too cold for fun flying, anyway.
Inauguration Day NOTAM Carries Dire Warning
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA has designated President-elect Obama's inauguration on January 20th as a "National Special Security Event," imposing significant flight restrictions around the D.C. area.
- These restrictions are in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, modifying existing airspace into "National Defense Airspace."
- Violators face severe penalties, including civil fines, loss of pilot certificates, criminal prosecution, and potentially deadly force if deemed an imminent security threat.
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