Manassas, Virginia (HEF) Fly-In March 29 2008

J

jzinkus

In The Pattern
To all BAC members and little Beech owners, we are trying to set up a fly-in at Manassas Regional Airport (HEF) on the 29th of March 2008.

Our local FBO, NextFlight, will support us and provide tiedown and ramp services. Their restaurant is reopening and should be affordable for the "$100 hamburger".

Interested folks will have to file a "ADIZ" flight plan to fly into and out of Manassas but it is not hard to do and the local controllers provide excellent support.

Looking for response and support replys.


John C. Zinkus
N18987
 
Curses. I'll be in FL following a scheduled Flight Physical there, on March 29. Hopefully some other folks can make the Manassas event.
 
Weather permitting, this sounds like a fun get-together. I would be flying from PA and have never dealt with the ADIZ and am leary of going near that thing. Perhaps you can give advice as to the best method of getting to that airport without having an armed escort.
Tom
 
If things settle down for me I will try to make it. I have overflown Manassas a lot but never stopped in.
For those that are concerned about the ADIZ, remember flight service,FAA etc would muc rather help you than see you make a violation. Call and ask for a Virginia briefer and explain that this is out of your normal area. They will help. Also AOPA can explain. FAASAFETY.gov website has links to FAASTEAM reps that are in the area.
Kind of like a border crossing it feel odd the first time only.
 
Not sure if I'll have my plane back from the annual scheduled in March. If I have wings sounds like an adventure I'd like to participate in!

John Woods
 
John,

I replied to your email, but I think you said the 22 or 23 there, I can make it on the 29th, it's a far taxi from the west ramp to the east ramp, and I don't think I'll even have to file an ADIZ for that.

For all those outside of the ADIZ and have never flown in before, try it! Every time we fly is in and out of it and it's really no big deal, just follow procedures. Basics are; file your ADIZ flight plan before departing your final leg in, (can't air file), if your ahead or behind your filed time tell ATC your filed time and they will do there best to get you in, if they can't you have to contact FSS (while in air to correct your time) switch back to ATC and wait, usually works. (You can do this part in the air cause you have already filed from your departure point). Get your designated squawk, wait for ATC to tell you transponder observered, cleared on coarse, then proceed into the ADIZ and Manassas. Stay under class B, entering class D inside the ADIZ. If you can fly here there ain't none tougher.

Steve Koski
AKA Wizard
 
On Monday night I attended an FAA Safety seminar that detailed the ADIZ. There is also an AOPA online course for it. Basically for VFR, you file an IFR flightplan from an entry point on the ADIZ circle to your destination airport. Note I said an IFR flight plan for a VFR flight. As you approach, get your "clearance" and they will give you a unique transponder code (like flight following) and directions if not direct. Flying IFR.. no change, just file and go.
We'll see if I can make that.. Definitly going to Mikes earlier in March.

Dr Bill
76 SUndowner N9230s
 
One IFR difference I did notice was that when I canceled IFR to switch to advisory frequency before landing, I was told to make sure I did _not_ leave my assigned transponder code. Do _not_ squak 1200 in the ADIZ!
 
Count me in for the HEF fly-in. I'm also parked on the west ramp, along with Steve.

I learned to fly at HEF since my first lesson, so I haven't known any way to get in & out of here other than the ADIZ procedures. I've managed not to get my own personal F-16 escort yet, so here's how I handle the ADIZ:

1. Review the ADIZ information available on AOPA's website:
http://www.aopa.org/adiz/adiz.html

Specifically, the "ADIZ flight plan filing instructions":
http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2007/070823adizfiling.pdf

And the "ADIZ flight plan entry/exit points":
http://www.aopa.org/images/whatsnew/newsitems/2005/notams/adiz.pdf
This page also provides you with the ATC contact frequencies to use for each gate.

As Dr Bill mentioned, the ADIZ is comprised of "gates", which are radial ranges off the DCA VOR.
I always find it easiest to enter the ADIZ from the south-west using the FLUKY Gate.

2. When you file your flight plan I would call the Leesburg Flight Service Station directly. Their number is:

866-225-7410

These folks deal with ADIZ flight plans all the time and I've always found them to be very helpful.

When I call, I ask for a standard brief, then tell them I'd like to file an outbound or inbound ADIZ flight plan (an ADIZ flight plan is NOT a search & rescue flight plan. If you want one of those as well, just let the briefer know.).

TIP 1: When they ask you for your altitude, they're looking for something below the CLASS B airspace. I usually use 2500MSL.

TIP 2: As a general rule, your ADIZ flight plan remains in the system for 2-hours after your stated time of arrival or departure, so I always try to err on the side of arriving a bit later than my planned time.

Now for getting to HEF!
3. I fly towards CJR (Culpepper), and when I have it in site I follow the railroad tracks towards HWY (Warrenton), make my radio call to Potomac Approach on 127.325, say my position, and tell them I'm landing HEF Manassas.

http://skyvector.com/#33-23-3-1463-1460

As Steve mentioned, you'll get your designated squawk code and wait for ATC to tell you transponder observed, cleared on coarse.
If I don't hear this from ATC before reaching HWY, I call them up & ask them if I'm cleared to proceed on course.

If they don't tell me transponder observed and cleared to proceed on course by the time I overfly HWY (I actually fly just north of the airport), I start a left 360. Like Steve said, you'll want to make sure you remain clear of the CLASS B airspace. 2500MSL or below should be good.

TIP 1: I always try to get flight following when I come in. This really helps reduce my workload and gives me some peace of mind because I'm already in contact with ATC with a discrete squawk code.

TIP 2: When you call up HEF, tell them you'll be parking the east ramp. The unofficial reporting point is called "The Bends" which is a noticeable bend in the railroad tracks shortly after passing HWY. If landing 34L/R I fly south of the railroad tracks (make sure you remain clear of the MOA to the south), and for 16L/R I fly north of the tracks.


This all might sound like a lot, but it's really not bad at all, and like Paul said, it ruins everyone's day when there's an ADIZ infraction, so everyone goes out of their way to help folks avoid any problems.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reply here or message me directly.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone that can make it out this way!

- Jason
 
Jason,
You need to put this on the BAC CALENDAR ASAP so that attendees can get points credit. Has to be on the calendar 3 weeks before the event !
Dr BIll
 
Digger-

I posted a very brief "March Manassas" fly-in bit of info. Please edit and add as you see fit. I think it only has to be posted as a BAC event for two weeks but at least it is up there. Hope I didn't step on any toes!

-Chris L.
 
Just want to remind everyone about the fly-in this week-end at Manassas from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Rain date Sunday same times. A Big thanks to John Zinkus, Steve Koski and George Phillips for hosting this event.
 
weather looks good for Saturday! I am planning on showing up and bringing a retired navy pilot I met. which FBO? couldn't find name on web.
 
Paul,

Ask for the east ramp and landing on 34R or 16L, which ever is in use that day. We'll be in front of FBO Volo (previously next flight), John has alerted the control tower of our fly in and they hopefully remember. It's right next to the main terminal building. We'll be watching and hopefully catch guys as you come in. Grills hot and the $100 burgers are ready.

Steve Koski
 
Thanks to the Manassasers for hosting the flyin. Had a great time. Nice airport. IFR was definitely the way to go. I even got an unexpected icing event. Well gee, it was 80 degrees the day before! I'll be back next time I get to D.C. for a visit (I'm hoping the restaurant will be open by then :))

Pics posted at: http://tinyurl.com/2ydxon (It's really our BAC gallery, I just didn't like the long URL)

Don
 
Thanks to all for a fun day at Manassas. We had a good turn out, even if most of the gang taxi across the field to get their burger and dogs. Don great pics and thanks for putting them on so quick, we're really glad you made the trek up form North Carolina.

Thanks to John Zinkus for supplying the food, hosting, setup and more,he didn't even have a poor box for donations, maybe he needs one now after bringing the 40 burgers and many dogs.(all were gone)

We even had AOPA represented at the fly in, they had us listed as a fly in on the web site, & email shot out to members monthly, John fielded many calls from other than baby beech owners

We all had plenty of time to check each others planes out and figure out how to spend money we don't have. Great day of hanger flying.

I personally was glad to meet so many of the other baby beech owners on the field and trade numbers for shared rides for the future. Thanks to all for coming and the family members that came out and put up with all the PILOT speak.

Look forward to making some others.

Steve Koski
 
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