Some airspace designs are badly done. Some have “badness” thrust upon them. The Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), cobbled together by Notam in early 2003 as a “temporary” measure in preparation for the invasion of Iraq, managed to incorporate both extremes. Along with a “zero-tolerance” approach to even the most cursory and innocent violation, the Washington ADIZ became an 288
The New ADIZ
Some airspace designs are badly done. Some have "badness" thrust upon them. The Washington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), cobbled together by Notam in early 2003 as a "temporary" measure in preparation for the invasion of Iraq, managed to incorporate both extremes. Along with a "zero-tolerance" approach to even the most cursory and innocent violation, the Washington ADIZ became an operational burden, cartographic nightmare and growth industry for enforcement, all at the same time.
Key Takeaways:
- The Washington ADIZ underwent a major overhaul in August 2007, significantly reducing its size from the previous Class B airspace-based configuration to a 30 nm radius around the Washington VOR/DME (DCA).
- The redesign released several airports and 1800 square miles of airspace from ADIZ requirements and introduced new VFR speed limits: 180 KIAS within the ADIZ and 230 KIAS in an outer 30-60 nm radius.
- Despite the size reduction, operating within the ADIZ still requires strict adherence to procedures including filing an ADIZ flight plan (treated as IFR), obtaining a discrete transponder code, continuous squawking (not 1200), and maintaining two-way radio communication with ATC.
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