Washington, D.C., Air Defense Identification and Flight Restricted Zones

The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) mirrors the footprint of the Baltimore Washington Class B airspace and consists of the airspace within approximately 42 nautical miles of Reagan National Airport. 

Applicable Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

• NOTAM 6/0223 – Flight Restrictions Washington, D.C.
• NOTAM information is available at www.faa.gov.

General Information

The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) mirrors the footprint of the Baltimore Washington Class B airspace and consists of the airspace within approximately 42 nautical miles (NM) of Reagan National Airport (DCA). The Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) is located within the ADIZ and is defined as the airspace within approximately a 15NM radius of the KDCA VHF omni-directional range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME). The National Capitol Region (NCR) is defined within airspace within a 7NM radius of the KDCA VOR/DME. Additional requirements are levied upon operators requesting access to operate inside the National Capitol Region (NCR).

General Aviation pilots requesting permission to fly aircraft into the Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ), including operations to or from DCA, Andrews Air Force Base, and Davison Army Air Field, must submit the two page Waiver Request Form. In some instances, the application must be accompanied by a letter or contract stipulating the purpose and scope of the work to be completed. The letter or contract should be faxed to the TSA, Office of Airspace Waivers at (571) 227-1945 or (571) 227-2948.

The Office of Airspace Waivers verified that all information in the application letter meets the criteria for operating within the FRZ during the current Homeland Security Alert System (HSAS) threat level.

The Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Access Security Program (DASSP) requires an Armed Security Officer (ASO) be on board for all charter and general aviation (GA) aircraft arriving and departing Reagan National.

Hiring an ASO

• Download the DC Flight Restricted Zone waiver form (pdf, 103KB)
• Download DC FRZ Waiver Request - TSA Form 406 (DOC 215 KB)
• Download the DCA Flight Authorization Request (DOC 80 KB)