Prohibited area N of DCA
08-21-2007, 01:08 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 348
Prohibited area N of DCA
I have a CRW-DCA turn tomorrow, and so I was reviewing the charts for DCA, knowing that things are a little screwy around there. It brought up the question:
"What is the ____ing point of P-56, just north of DCA?"
As far as I can tell, it's an itty-bitty area surrounding the capitol building, white house, and lincoln memorial, and another little circle around the naval observatory.
If you're within the DC ADIZ already, it seems to me that if you did intend to do something to any of these buildings, the time between when you penetrated P-56 and hit the building would be a matter of seconds.
As far as I can tell, the only function of P-56 is to make flying in and out of DCA a major pain in the neck.
"What is the ____ing point of P-56, just north of DCA?"
As far as I can tell, it's an itty-bitty area surrounding the capitol building, white house, and lincoln memorial, and another little circle around the naval observatory.
If you're within the DC ADIZ already, it seems to me that if you did intend to do something to any of these buildings, the time between when you penetrated P-56 and hit the building would be a matter of seconds.
As far as I can tell, the only function of P-56 is to make flying in and out of DCA a major pain in the neck.
08-21-2007, 02:02 PM
#2
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 58
Well, in my opinion, i believe this area, the military atop one of the government have full authority on shooting the imposing aircraft down.... in other words, in any other situation, you would most likely need to get permission from a higher authority, but in the capitol, since the "NO FLY" is so small, the operators can shoot them down within seconds of the imposing aircraft...
That would be the most logical explanation... Thats What i think....... rickair7777 will explain....
That would be the most logical explanation... Thats What i think....... rickair7777 will explain....
Last edited by KW10001; 08-22-2007 at 06:23 AM.
08-21-2007, 03:04 PM
#3
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,211
Don't fool with P-56. I know a classmamate who got fired for brushing the edge of it. Review the charts and any special NAV procedures BEFORE you go there.
And, yeah they might shoot you down if you were descending into P-56 at the wrong angle.
And, yeah they might shoot you down if you were descending into P-56 at the wrong angle.
08-21-2007, 03:37 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Retired
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As they say. "Locks on doors only keep the honest people honest"
I wouldn't fool with any airspace in the ADIZ. I've only been out there flying GA as of yet but you bet your tail cone I'm going to know where to turn and where to not go on the river visual.
I wouldn't fool with any airspace in the ADIZ. I've only been out there flying GA as of yet but you bet your tail cone I'm going to know where to turn and where to not go on the river visual.
08-21-2007, 03:47 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 867
I believe you are talking about the VP's home (P-56).
Depart northbound like you're driving in a NASCAR race: go fast, turn LEFT.
Oh yea, I have seen the Patriot missile batteries around the area. They are very real. They may still have some Avenger batts, too.
Depart northbound like you're driving in a NASCAR race: go fast, turn LEFT.
Oh yea, I have seen the Patriot missile batteries around the area. They are very real. They may still have some Avenger batts, too.
08-21-2007, 08:36 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: propjob teacher
Posts: 224
just wondering... say an aircraft was to penetrate this mysterious P-56... If they shot it down Wouldn't the damage from the debris and such be just as bad??? except uncontrollable?? i mean... unless it disintegrates the airplane i don't see how shooting the plane down would be a more desirable outcome.
any thoughts?
any thoughts?
08-21-2007, 08:43 PM
#8
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Originally Posted by kdoner
just wondering... say an aircraft was to penetrate this mysterious P-56... If they shot it down Wouldn't the damage from the debris and such be just as bad??? except uncontrollable?? i mean... unless it disintegrates the airplane i don't see how shooting the plane down would be a more desirable outcome.
any thoughts?
any thoughts?
The prohibited area isn't designed to protect civilians. It's designed to protect the governments higher functions (President/VP/Congress/etc). The odds of an aircraft being used as a guided missile hitting one of these targets decreases significantly if it's shot down.
08-21-2007, 09:30 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
Originally Posted by kdoner
just wondering... say an aircraft was to penetrate this mysterious P-56... If they shot it down Wouldn't the damage from the debris and such be just as bad??? except uncontrollable?? i mean... unless it disintegrates the airplane i don't see how shooting the plane down would be a more desirable outcome.
any thoughts?
any thoughts?
Remember that there's two types of damage: physical and political. Raining small airplane parts over the capital might do some physical damage, but crashing an intact airline precisely into the Capital dome would do much worse.
08-22-2007, 03:48 AM
#10
Gets ALL Days Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: Sit down comedian.
Posts: 958
P-56 is made up of 3 areas. The main area is the polygon shape and largest which covers east of the potomac river to east of the capitol building and everything on the national mall like the white house, lincoln building, and so on. The 2nd area of P-56 is a small circle and covers the Naval Obsevatory which is where the Vice President lives. The 3rd area of P-56 is south of DC on the west side of the river, it is a small circle as well and covers Mount Vernon, Geroge Washington's home.
Flying into DCA is not that big of a deal. Just remember when taking off to the north on 1, you have to make your left turn immediately after takeoff and stay to the left side of the east Potomac river bank (in other words stay to the left of the right side of the river).
Flying into DCA is not that big of a deal. Just remember when taking off to the north on 1, you have to make your left turn immediately after takeoff and stay to the left side of the east Potomac river bank (in other words stay to the left of the right side of the river).
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