FAA Plans Training for Restricted Airspace

Too Many Pilots Violate Rules, Officials Say

Many private pilots would have to complete an Internet-based training course before being allowed to fly near restricted airspace in the Washington region, under a rule proposed yesterday by the Federal Aviation Administration.

FAA officials said they were concerned that too many pilots violate restricted airspace near the nation's capital.

There are two restricted flight areas in the Washington region: an inner ring, which is close to downtown, and a large outer ring. Together, the zones cover about 4,200 square miles and stretch from rural Virginia to Baltimore.

FAA officials said there have been more than 1,000 violations since the outer ring was established as a temporary measure in early 2003. The incursions drain resources from air-traffic controllers and from military and law enforcement authorities, officials said.

In several instances, Air Force jets or law enforcement helicopters were scrambled to intercept violators.

The rule would require pilots to take a course on the FAA Safety Program Web site ( http://www.faasafety.gov/ ) if they intend to fly under visual flight rules within about 115 miles of the District.

The proposal would mostly affect the pilots of small planes or business jets.

"We don't want pilots to be looking at a couple of F-16s next to them to make them understand that this is restricted airspace," FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said. "We want pilots to understand how to safely cross [restricted airspace] if they need to and we want them to understand all the proper procedures."

Authorities created the restricted zones to give military and law enforcement authorities more time to react to planes that might be used in a terrorist attack.

Private pilots must file flight plans to enter and exit the outer ring, which is known as the Air Defense Identification Zone. Flying in the inner ring is more heavily restricted.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, which has criticized aspects of the zones, has fought proposals in Congress for steep fines against pilots who violate restricted airspace.

The group yesterday said it supported the FAA's proposed training requirements, which are to go into effect after a 60-day comment period.

"The focus should be on education, not punishment," said Melissa Rudinger, vice president of regulatory affairs for the association.

Last year, federal officials proposed making the outer ring permanent. Many private pilots and their advocates complained, saying that the zone is too cumbersome. More than 20,000 comments on the proposal were filed with the FAA.

FAA officials said they were reviewing the comments. They did not indicate when the final rule would be issued.