Training Proposed for Flying VFR Near D.C.

Special awareness training via an online course will be required for any pilot who flies VFR within 100 nm of the Washington, D.C. VOR, if the FAA adopts a proposed rule. The proposal, published yesterday, would apply regardless of the type of pilot certificate or where the flight originated. The course would have to be taken once within six months of the effective date of the rule. According to the FAA, there have been more than 1,000 incursions within the Washington, D.C. ADIZ since it and a flight restricted zone were implemented in February 2003. All of the incursions were eventually determined to be inadvertent, but one led to the revocation of a pilot's certificate. No criminal charges were filed against any of the ADIZ offenders. Comments are due September 5.