All pilots operating from Tipton must have completed the FAA’s required Washington, D.C. SFRA Special Awareness Training before flying in this airspace. (Click here to sign up for the course)
Pilots should also review current charts, NOTAMs, TFRs, and FAA procedures before every flight, as security-related requirements can change often.
Operating from Tipton Airport (KFME) requires an added level of awareness because the airport lies within the Washington, D.C. Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). The DC SFRA encompasses approximately a 30-nautical-mile area around Washington, D.C. and imposes specific flight planning, transponder, communication, and ATC requirements on pilots operating within, entering, or departing the airspace.
Inside the SFRA is the more restrictive Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) surrounding central Washington, D.C. The FRZ is subject to additional security requirements and should not be confused with the larger SFRA. While normal Tipton operations take place within the SFRA and outside the FRZ, every pilot should understand the boundaries and procedures for both areas.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Potomac TRACON
3699 MacIntosh Drive
Warrenton, VA 20187
Issued: 04/09/2025 1816 (UTC)
Effective: 04/10/2025 1200 (UTC)
Potomac TRACON
Letter to Airmen: LTA-PCT-43
Subject: SFRA PATTERN WORK OPERATIONS
Cancellation: 04/09/2027 1200 (UTC)
3. SFRA PATTERN WORK (Remaining in Local Traffic Pattern)
All pilots requesting VFR traffic pattern work at an airport within the DC SFRA (but not within the DC FRZ) that does not have an operating airport traffic control tower, or where the airport traffic control tower is closed, and the aircraft will depart the airport to remain within the local airport traffic pattern, are advised to do the following:
a. File a DC SFRA Pattern flight plan. The airport where the pattern work will be conducted is entered in both the departure and destination fields of the flight plan;
(SEE EXAMPLE 1, Below)
b. Using Table 1-1 below, include the appropriate Fix Radial Distance (FRD) in the “Route” field of the flight plan, so that the National Airspace System (NAS) computer accepts the flight plan;
Table 1-1. Fix Radial Distance (FRD)
AIRPORT FIX RADIAL DISTANCE
ANP ANP360002
FME FME360002
GAI GAI360002
HEF* HEF360002
JYO* JYO360002
2W5 2W5360002
W00 W00360002
W18 W18360002
W50 W50360002
MD24 MD24360002
*An SFRA Flight Plan is not required to conduct pattern work during times when the ATCT is open.
(SEE EXAMPLE 2, Below)
c. To identify that the aircraft is staying in the local traffic pattern, include "PATTERN" (RMK/PATTERN in certain web based applications) in the flight plan remarks;
(SEE EXAMPLE 3, Below)
NOTE –
The inclusion of “PATTERN” in remarks does not relieve the pilot of the requirement to verbally request pattern work.
d. Contact PCT clearance delivery via telephone, GCO or RTR to advise PCT of intent to remain in the departure airport traffic pattern and to obtain a discrete beacon code;
e. Inform PCT that pattern work is complete by contacting PCT via telephone at 540-351-6129.
BEFORE ENGINE START
Training current/completed
NOTAMs checked
TFRs checked
Flight plan filed
Frequencies verified
BEFORE TAKEOFF
Correct code entered (NEVER 1200)
Transponder operating
Communications plan understood
DEPARTURE
Follow current SFRA procedures
Monitor assigned frequency
Maintain situational awareness
RETURN
SFRA plan/procedure confirmed
Assigned code
ATC communication established
Transition to KFME when authorized
FOR QUICK REFERENCE ONLY — NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CURRENT FAA REGULATIONS, NOTAMS, ATC INSTRUCTIONS OR REQUIRED SFRA TRAINING.
