BAC Fest 2026 Washington DC Sept 16-20 th 2026

[andreas.bentz]

Thank you for organizing! I’m sorry I’m a “maybe” at the moment. I live locally (Falls Church, VA) and my Sundowner is at home in Luray, VA … but I work for a small (2-pilot) flight department, so if a trip comes up for the work airplane … I’m on it; although typically our work schedule is reasonably stable about 3 weeks out.

Ok, I’ve registered, even though I’ll be joining up late (17th), and will possibly have to cut out early; but I’ll be there for at least some of it - driving/Metro up from Falls Church, but will try to fly my Sundowner from Luray on at least one day for a group photo ;-). @JOHNNYXRAY I will let you know offline once I know exactly when I’ll be off work. Thank you for organizing, I look forward to it!

 

[GregJohnson]

Greg and Jane registered, and room obtained previously. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

I'm very sorry to say that Jane and I are not going to be able to attend due to unforeseen situations. I'll be cancelled my room reservations shortly in case someone else needs a room.

 

[JOHNNYXRAY]

I'm very sorry to say that Jane and I are not going to be able to attend due to unforeseen situations. I'll be cancelled my room reservations shortly in case someone else needs a room.

We are going to miss you and Jane. Hope all is well ,

 

[A23ABobP]

If you are flying into Leesburg, VA (KJYO) remember to take the DC Special Flight Rules Area training (https://www.faasafety.gov). Leesburg is the simplest airport in the SFRA for VFR ops. The other airports require filing a DC SFRA VFR flight plan from a "gate" to the destination and contacting Potomac Approach before entering.

---Leesburg arrival/departure requires no flight plan.
---Communication with Approach is not required.
---Before you call Tower, squawk code 1226 (Leesburg AWOS will remind you of the code; it has been the same code for many years).
---Traffic Pattern Altitude is 1200 MSL (810 AGL). Class B floor above the pattern is 1500 MSL.

Look at both the Sectional and the Terminal charts.
---Be mindful of the Class B floors stepping down as you approach JYO as well as the inner surface ring for IAD less than two miles south.
---Remember your squawk code of 1226 is only good for the pie shape cutout for the Leesburg Maneuvering Area, not the rest of the SFRA. If you clip a corner of the cutout, Tower may not mention it or even notice it, but Big Brother will see it and will call you after you land. I think the cutout boundaries show up better on the Terminal chart. Do not change your squawk code out of habit when parking. Leave the 1226 in there for departure.

Or file IFR and skip all this.

Let me know if you have questions about flying in other areas of the SFRA before/after BACFest.

See you next week!