Originally Posted by
Wide Mouth Frog
Thanks both of you, useful background. What I really need to know on top of this is what actual service is typically offered to transiting traffic on route 1 and 4. I think I can probably infer that it's visual from the subsequent comms. That is the core difference between the London Heliroutes and those in DCA. In London it's Radar service only for helicopters on the routes, with the possible exception of the Battersea LFA. Hard to see why that wouldn't be the same for DCA.
In the States, normal VFR flying (where you're just flying about on your own and radar services are "on request") is designed by the squawk code 1200 (e.g. after transitioning a Class B airspace the tower will say, "Radar services terminated, squawk VFR"). In DC however, that squawk code is not available.
DC is our nation's capital (where all the incompetent rich assholes who run the country hang out) therefore someone is ALWAYS watching you!
I've only flown in that area twice. To transition through, I had to file two flight plans. One to enter the airspace (at a specific point (or gate)) and the other to exit at a specific point/gate. I couldn't even takeoff before I got my special squawk and frequently.
The other flight was a simple reconnaissance flight, that required me to enter Class B airspace. They gave me ten minutes to do what I wanted to do, then I had to leave. Again,...its VERY restricted airspace!
