| The Air Defense Identification Zone gets its first real test — and fails |
flynbfun writes "
WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was the first weekend of good weather
in the area after a snowy winter. It was also the first time the Air Defense
Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the nation's capital was tested in the game
of general aviation flying vs. a limited air traffic control system. ADIZ
lost the game at least 55 to 28.
To defend the nation's capital against possible terror attacks by general
aviation, the many organizations involved in security placed the ADIZ to
cover a 30-nautical mile radius over the area. When it was installed in February,
there were dire warnings — including a strong protest from the Aircraft Owners
and Pilots Association — that it would not work.
Several general aviation airports are located in the area. They have more
than 600 based aircraft. Flight in, out, or through the airspace requires
a discrete transponder code, clearance from air traffic control and two-way
radio contact.
In the beginning, flights coming into the ADIZ were required to stop at a designated airport before being allowed to enter. This proved so cumbersome it was dropped. But, codes, contact, and clearance continued as the rules of the day.
Then came the good-weather weekend. Many GA pilots wanted to fly. Phone lines were tied up. Air-to-ground frequencies were jammed. ATC ran out of allotted discrete codes. Pilots reported trying for as long as two hours to reach the correct facility to obtain transponder codes and clearances. Controllers in the Baltimore and Potomac TRACONs did yeoman work to accommodate general aviation, but were totally swamped. At least 55 aircraft penetrated the ADIZ improperly. Blackhawk helicopters of the Customs Service were able to intercept 28 and escort them to airports outside the ADIZ.
AOPA warned the ADIZ would bring delays and frustration. Its alert was received by the government, as so many things here in Malfunction Junction are, with: "Trust us. We're from the government and we're here to help you." After the weekend of a jammed system, AOPA again set out to work with the FAA to get a more workable system before summer sets in and more planes fly. Or, until – and if — the Iraq situation heats up more and there are possibly additional ADIZs around the nation. FAA is "considering" the AOPA-proposed solutions.
As inconvenient and difficult as the weekend was, it dramatically proved one thing that many have believed for years: The air traffic control system as it is now configured can't accept massive growth. With 80% of all flying under VFR rules, any reason that gets a number of these flights into the ATC is beyond the capabilities of the system. Every time there is inclement weather, a few more aircraft enter the system and delays result. That should teach us something.
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