Why is the DC ADIZ a bad idea?

[Alex429595]

I was trying to explain to a friend of mine why the D.C. ADIZ is such a horrible idea, and why it does nothing for safety. He just doesn't seem to get it. Would anyone care to elaborate on this issue?

 

[9GClub]

I'm not 100% sure it's a horrible idea. I think it's got some problems as it now stands, but I can understand where the Feds are coming from. I've been flying for a year out of a field that lies within the ADIZ, and it can be a pain in the butt, but it's not enough of one to severely impact my flying. It's been an nightmare in terms of commerce though-- I worked at another field-- also inside the ADIZ-- where folks were seriously considering their futures in the industry in the days and weeks following 9/11. A lot of people haven't come back, which is kinda sad. There are also a few folks in my neck of the woods who have been jumped by Blackhawks and even Vipers and gotten spooked away from flying completely.

I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for guys that continue to bust restricted airspace. Read the charts or get a GPS, or something. I'm not immune to that stuff myself, and I'm certainly not saying that it could never happen to me, but we've gotta be on top of our game. The biggest threat to GA isn't so much the existing red tape as it is the screwups in sensitive areas. Let's not justify the hassles.

If anybody's in the DC area, there are a few public hearings on the ADIZ coming up-- one of them is tonight (1/12) as a matter of fact. Check out aopa.org.

 

[CA1900]

I was trying to explain to a friend of mine why the D.C. ADIZ is such a horrible idea, and why it does nothing for safety. He just doesn't seem to get it. Would anyone care to elaborate on this issue?

I liken it to a gate at the front of an apartment complex. Sure, it looks like the place is secure, but it's just window dressing. There are still 50 other ways into that complex, and even if they went straight through the gate, they'd have robbed your house and left by the time anyone even called the police. But the gate impedes legitimate entry, both by you and the people who come to see you. It's a big pain in the ass, but with no real benefit.

The ADIZ is like that. There'd be little time to stop a legitimate terrorist, who will probably use a truck and drive right up to the capitol anyway.
But the legitmiate commerce is severely impeded, for no net gain in safety. Just the illusion of security.

 

[9GClub]

CA1900,

I agree. A car or truck-- in reality-- is a better terror platform than a light aircraft.

Also, a lot of the "security" folks laude these days is completely illusory. Like frighteningly illusory.

That being said, I still don't think we need planes getting super-close to downtown without some checks. What would be an acceptable compromise?

 

[Resocha]

The ADIZ is "feel-good" security for the public, as there is little enhancement of safety. Years ago I flight instructed at a Leesburg, within the ADIZ, then I flew out of IAD for almost 7 years. If someone really wants to use an aircraft to attack DC, there isn't much that can stop them.

It's like sending flight crews through security while the commissary and ramp personnel bypass and use alternate routes to the ramp - it looks good to the public, but the safety is not improved. There's always a back door, if you look hard enough.

The ADIZ is good, however, for capturing knuckleheads who inadvertently fly into the Dulles and National Approach corridors. Before 9/11, they only got bitch-slapped. At least now they're forced down.