FAA Publishes New D.C.-area Helicopter Route Charts

The FAA has updated the helicopter route chart for the Washington, D.C. area as part of the regular 52-day update cycle and incorporated permanent changes after the January 29 midair collision between a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 and U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Helicopter Route 4, which the Black Hawk was following, no longer exists, and Route 1 and other routes have been modified, both near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI).

According to the FAA, Route 1 and 5 are to be used only by priority aircraft such as medical and law enforcement operations “unless specifically authorized by air traffic control.” This change was enacted immediately after the accident.

Other changes include reducing the boundaries of Zones 1, 2, and 5 and adding notes to the chart “to improve clarity around altitude and operational instructions.” With the elimination of Route 4, there is now no VFR helicopter route south past KDCA.

The closest route is where Route 1 turns east past Hains Point about half a mile from KDCA, and helicopters flying south past the Memorial Bridge and Hains point “should be at or below 200 feet,” according to the chart. These are VFR routes and the FAA’s definition of “should” means that a procedure is recommended, so these altitudes are still not mandatory. “All routes may be altered at pilot’s request or as directed by ATC,” according to the chart notes.

Since the midair collision, the FAA has changed procedures “to eliminate helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic near the airport “ and closed Route 4 permanentaly between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge. It also has “revised agreements with the military to require ADS-B Out broadcasting “ and “eliminated the use of visual separation within 5 miles of the airport .”