[Scan-DC] DC CAP

Steve Rigby [email protected]
Mon, 28 Jan 2002 09:19:37 -0500


Jim Donaldson wrote:

> 0720 - Sunday - an aircraft flying due south DIRECTLY over 1600 PA AVE at
> very high altitude - leaving a trail
> believe that is a first for me to see.

  It may be hard to determine if an aircraft is indeed directly over
a small restricted zone when it is at a very high altitude when
being observed from the ground level.  Even from said aircraft, a
visual observation from such great altitude would make such an
evaluation almost impossible.

  I will say this, however.  It has been my observation that many
commercial passenger aircraft appear to be flying very often in
patterns that deviate from the assigned norms that have been
applicable in the past.  Various of the prescribed flight paths
existed because of noise abatement requirements in this metro area.
Some of those requirements seem to have 'disappeared' of late for
whatever reason.  I now observe passenger craft often flying over
areas that have previously been generally off-limits for low flying
planes approaching or departing our regional airports.

  Steve