BE24 PLT DESCRIBED QUESTIONABLE ATC SVC WHEN OPERATING IN THE DC ADIZ WITH PCT TRACON.

Date: 2005-10 · Aircraft: Sierra 24 · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: other-atc-service

Synopsis

BE24 PLT DESCRIBED QUESTIONABLE ATC SVC WHEN OPERATING IN THE DC ADIZ WITH PCT TRACON.

Narrative

RECEIVED PERMISSION TO PENETRATE THE DC ADIZ AT THE MAPEL INTXN BY CALLING POTOMAC TRACON (DULLES SECTOR) ON 126.1; LEVEL AT 3500 FT. REQUESTED AND RECEIVED PERMISSION TO PENETRATE CLASS B AIRSPACE AT 3500 FT. AFTER A FEW MINS; WAS HANDED OFF TO 126.75 (ADIZ FREQ) WHEN WE RPTED 'LEVEL AT 3500 FT' AND RECEIVED 'ACKNOWLEDGED' REPLY. AFTER A WHILE; THE CTLR INQUIRED WHY WE WERE IN CLASS B AIRSPACE. WE EXPLAINED WE RECEIVED PERMISSION TO DO SO FROM THE PREVIOUS CTLR. THE CTLR'S REPLY WAS 'THAT WAS NOT PASSED ON TO ME; YOU NEED TO REMAIN CLR OF CLASS B AIRSPACE.' WE IMMEDIATELY DSNDED AND CONTINUED OUR FLT TO EASTON; MD (ESN) AT 1400 FT; ENCOUNTERING NUMEROUS ACFT AT FORT MEADE AND SUBURBAN ARPT TFC PATTERNS; AS WELL AS LEE ARPT. ALSO; ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS ACFT AT OPPOSITE HDGS VFR AND EVASIVE ACTIONS HAD TO BE TAKEN. THE ADIZ PENETRATION FLT PLAN FOR THE FLT FROM FREDERICK; MD (FDK) TO EASTON; MD (ESN) HAD IN THE REMARKS SECTION 'WILL ASK FOR PERMISSION TO PENETRATE CLASS B AIRSPACE;' SO ATC KNEW OUR INTENTIONS. WHILE FLYING AT 1400 FT; SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE AT 128.7 TO OBTAIN PERMISSION TO ENTER CLASS B AIRSPACE. AFTER 15 MINS; WE INQUIRED WHEN WE MIGHT RECEIVE CLRNC. WE WERE TOLD '...IN 30 MINS OR LONGER....' AT THAT POINT WE CONTINUED OUR FLT AT 1400 FT; RETURNING TO THE ADIZ FREQ OF 126.75. PLEASE NOTE; IN THE WKS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT; ON 2 OCCASIONS; RADIO CALLS ON 125.52 AND ON 128.7 TO PENETRATE THE ADIZ HAVE GONE UNANSWERED. ON ONE OCCASION; THE FLT WAS TERMINATED AND WE RETURNED TO FREDERICK; MD. BOTH FREQS ARE FOR THE BALTIMORE SECTOR. THE PROB SEEMS THAT BALTIMORE CLASS B ATC CTLRS ARE REFUSING TO HANDLE VFR ACFT THAT WISH TO PENETRATE THE ADIZ OR THAT HAVE ALREADY DONE SO THROUGH OTHER SECTORS; LIKE DULLES. TO FORCE ME AND MY FAMILY TO 1400 FT OVER CONGESTED AREAS; ALL THE WHILE WHEN A COMPLETELY FUNCTIONAL RADAR SYS EXISTS AND IS STAFFED; DEFIES LOGIC. WHY ARE THE CTLRS DOING THIS? IS IT RELATED TO 'WORK TO RULES' IN THE ONGOING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FAA? WHY IS MY SAFETY BEING COMPROMISED? I DID EVERYTHING BY THE BOOK. A 45 MIN FLT BECAME A 1 1/2 HR ORDEAL. THE ATC SYS IS BROKEN.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.