Pilots Reminded to Stay Out of Camp David Airspace

A national private pilots group is urging its members to wise up about airspace restrictions around Camp David after a rash of violations, the Frederick News-Post reported.

The Frederick-based Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association posted the reminder on its website Monday after military fighter jets intercepted three civilian aircraft near the presidential retreat in the Maryland mountains last weekend.

There have been five such incursions in the past month.

The special-rules area expands from 3 nautical miles to 10 when the president is at Camp David. Pilots also are expected to monitor a particular radio frequency when flying near Camp David and
Washington, D.C.

Not all planes have radios. But a military official tells The Frederick News-Post there is no excuse for not checking daily public notices about airspace restrictions along one's flight path.

Each time a plane wanders into the restricted air space, F-15's under the command of NORAD get scrambled to escort the aircraft out.  Intruding planes are forced to land at a nearby airport, usually in Hagerstown.