Tomorrow’s inauguration is bringing a new round of flight restrictions to the Washington, D.C. area. At the request of the Department of Homeland Security, the FAA yesterday issued additional restrictions to the Washington Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) and Washington Metropolitan Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ).

From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on January 20, business and general aviation must fly on an active IFR flight plan inside restricted airspace, which encompasses a 30-nm radius around Washington, D.C., up to FL180. Business and general aviation flights may arrive and/or depart only from Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and Manassas Regional/Davis Airport (HEF) during the affected period.

General aviation flights will not be permitted to transit through the SFRA, and a number of activities are off limits during the time, including flight training, banner towing, crop dusting and maintenance test flights, among many others. Permitted operations must have a discrete transponder code assigned by air traffic control and remain in continuous two-way communications with ATC.

Affected airspace is classified as National Defense Airspace, meaning violators could face criminal penalties and the prospect of being intercepted, detained and interviewed by law enforcement and/or security personnel. Also, the FAA warns that the U.S. government “may use deadly force against airborne aircraft, if it is determined that the aircraft poses an imminent security threat.”

In addition, slot requirements for departures were put in place from January 20 to 22 at IAD. Slots can be secured through the FBOs there.