Solo to Annapolis

Today I attempted to Solo out to the practice area. I had been a little worried about finding my way around. The problem wasn't so much about getting lost and not being able to find my way back to Tipton. The problem was that I had to deal with three different areas of the airspace. The BWI Class B Airspace, The Washington DC FRZ (Flight Restriction Zone), and

The Washington DC ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone.)

This is what Class B Airspace looks like. An upside down wedding cake. The smallest tier, the bottom, is the surface where the airport sits. Tipton Airport is under the second layer and sits very close to the bottom. Actually there is a little notch cut out of the small layer where Tipton sits. Above Tipton is the next layer which sits 1500Ft. above the surface. When you depart Tipton you have three concerns, don't fly into the Class B Airspace by penetrating the bottom ring that surrounds BWI, don't fly into the Class B Airspace by climbing over 1500Ft and coming in through the floor of the overhang, and don't overfly the NSA which sits just to the North of the airfield. While overflying the NSA is not illegal, it's not encouraged either. You can enter the Class B Airspace but only with permission from ATC. If you get in without clearance the FAA can take action against you for a rules violation.

Tipton is located within the DC ADIZ. This is a roughly 30NM ring that is centered on Reagan National Airport. Any aircraft operating into, out of, or within this airspace up to 18000 ft must file a flight plan and have a discrete transponder code. On today's flight I had my flight plan over to Lee Annapolis Airport on file. I knew that once I got out to the Annapolis area, flying toward the Bay Bridge would put me out of the ADIZ once I got to the Western Shore side. If I exited the ADIZ I had to stay out unless I had a flight plan to let me back in. Since I didn't I knew that I better watch myself unless I wanted a visit from some armed military aircraft.

To the South West of Tipton is the DC FRZ. This is a 15 NM ring that is centered on Reagan National Airport. You have to have a special clearance to enter that area. Penetration of the FRZ is a very serious offense. Armed Military Response is assured. Military Shootdown, Fines, Imprisonment, and License Revocation are all possible consequences.

So...with the FRZ to the Southwest, the Class B to the Northeast and over me, and the Eastern ADIZ boundary very near the practice area, I was a little nervous.

I took off from Tipton realizing once again that I was alone in the airplane and that I was once again in control of my fate. I headed to the mouth of the South River mindful of my altitude and heading. Once I got there I made a decision. Rather than practicing maneuvering flight with all its turns, I'd better make sure I can get back to the aiport safely. So I turned around. That's when the trouble began. I followed the South River back up to the Northwest. Departing from Tipton meant that my flying space got wider. The return trip was the opposite. All of my landmarks were not looking very familiar. As I got closer I made a few turns to keep my out of the restricted airspace that my GPS showed me heading towards. Had I been on course that wouldn't have been necessary. I knew that if I could find the Capitol Raceway Drag Strip that I could find the airport. Shortly thereafter I found the drag strip and headed for Tipton. I had been concentrating so much on the landmarks I forgot to look for other aircraft. When I called Potomac Approach to tell them I had Tipton in sight they gave my a traffic alert about an aircraft that was 400ft. above me. As I looked out my window there was a Cessna coming right at me but above me. The other pilot radioed that he had me in sight as he passed over me. I felt like a idiot but I'm glad the other pilot was paying attention.

I switched over to Tipton's advisory frequency and let the traffic know I was inbound to land. I was able to intercept the pattern and make a reasonably good approach to the airport. I was a little off the center line on my landing but...I did land the plane by myself. That's only my fourth solo landing. For 0.6 hours of flight time I didn't accomplish very much, but I did get down in one piece.