Bravo Zulu Aviation

FINALLY! I got up in the air.  It seems that the weather has been plotting to keep me on the ground just to rub in the fact i’ve not yet earned my instrument rating.  I managed to coordinate some free time with a decent weather window and took to the sky to work off some rust.  Some high school classmates of mine were having a dinner party in DC this past Sunday, which made for a great cross country destination.  I enjoyed a great tailwind on the way down and mostly smooth air despite an AIRMET for turbulence.  The fun part of the flight was the last 20 minutes.  My destination for sneaking into DC was Freeway airport.  This great little 2400′ strip is tucked right in close to the Flight Restricted Zone, which is the inner sanctum of the Air Defense Identification Zone.  Not to mention underneath the complex Class B airspace for BWI airport.  So some careful navigation, and good communication with Potomic Approach led me right into the heart of the Baltimore/DC metro area and onto downwind for runway 36 at Freeway.Now I had to quickly remember how to deal with a crosswind and made a respectable approach despite a gusty crosswind component close to the limit of my trusty 172. My friend was waiting to pick me up and drive me into the city. My trip home the next morning was a little more exciting and involved a stop about half way to check the weather. There was a little more cloud cover than forecast, but the layers petered out by the time I got back to PEO and landed under blue skies.

 Things to remember for the ADIZ:

• Plan ahead!
• File an ADIZ flight plan from your ‘gate’ of entry (Wooly in my case) to your destination airport within the ADIZ.
• Open your plan with Potomic Approach before you enter. Obtain a discrete squawk code and clearance.
• Enjoy your flight!
• More information here: http://www.aopa.org/adiz/adiz.html
• And here: FAA Safety

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