Departure ProceduresDeparture Procedures
VFR
Northwest: A left turn as soon as practicable, especially with a west wind, is required to REMAIN CLEAR OF P-56 and maintain ground track directly over the Potomac River. Follow the Potomac River until abeam the Georgetown Resevoir or DCA VOR 4 DME and then continue over the river or via the DCA VOR 328* Radial until reaching DCA VOR 10 DME. Note: AIRCRAFT DEPARTING TO THE NORTHWEST SHALL NOT EXTEND THEIR FLIGHT PATH BEYOND THE EAST BANK OF THE POTOMAC RIVER OR EAST OF DCA 328* RADIAL UNTIL REACHING DCA VOR 10 DME.
Northeast: A right turn as soon as practicable, especially with an east wind, is required to REMAIN CLEAR OF P-56 and to follow the Anacostia River to the DCA VOR 5 DME.
IFR Northwest: A left turn as soon as practicable, especially with a west wind, is required to REMAIN CLEAR OF P-56.
RWY 36- intercept DCA 328* radial, climb to 5,000' or as assigned.
RWY 33- intercept DCA 328* radial, climb to 5,000' or as assigned.
Northeast: A right turn as soon as practicable, especially with an east wind, is required to REMAIN CLEAR OF P-56 and to intercept the ATC assigned heading or radial.
South: As assigned by ATC.
Arrival Procedures
VFR
LANDING SOUTH:Aircraft shall be vectored to continue their approaches over either the Potomac or Anacostia River. AIRCRAFT VECTORED TO THE POTOMAC RIVER NORTHWEST OF DCA SHALL NOT EXTEND THEIR FLIGHT PATH BEYOND THE EAST BANK OR THE POTOMAC RIVER ONCE INSIDE THE DCA VOR 10 DME UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY ATC.
Landing North: Maintain ground track over the Potomac River. Note: In the event of a missed approach or balked landing, a turn must be executed in sufficient time to REMAIN CLEAR OF P-56.
IFR
FROM THE NORTHWEST: Aircraft making IFR approaches from the Northwest shall be cleared for a River Visual RWY 18 approach when weather is 3,500' and 3 SM or better. Radar vectors will be provided to the final approach course. When cleared for a River Visual RWY 18 approach, aircraft may visually follow the river to the airport or may proceed via the DCA VOR 328* radial(148* inbound) or via the Rosslyn LDA RWY 18 approach to abeam the Georgetown Resevoir or the DCA 4 DME, then visually follow the river to the airport. REMAIN CLEAR OF P-56.
FROM THE SOUTH: Aircraft making IFR approaches from the south shall be cleared for a Mount Vernon Visual approach when weather is 3,000' and 4 SM, or better. When so cleared, aircraft will proceed inbound via the DCA VOR 189* radial (009*inbound) to abeam Oxonn NDB or DCA VOR 5.6 DME then visually follow the Potomac River to the airport.