The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Tuesday raised its "national threat level" from Elevated to High risk of terrorist attack (for those of you with color vision, that's Level Orange). What it means to you: Waivers that allow access to the 15-mile "no-fly" zone around Washington, D.C., will be suspended, security officials told AOPA and EAA Tuesday afternoon. Also, waivers for sport stadium overflights will be suspended, and Tipton Airport in Fort Meade, Md., will be re-established as the gateway for aircraft flying into the three GA airports in the D.C. area (College Park, Hyde Field, and Potomac Airport). At Tipton, TSA staff will screen aircraft and passengers. Pilots were asked to exercise extra vigilance in and around airports, and to carefully check NOTAMs before flying. Enjoy the new rules in all their glory on the FAA's Special Interest NOTAMs page. In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge did not specifically mention aircraft as a means of attack, but said tactics to be used against "soft targets" could include "small arm equipped assault teams, large vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, and suicide bombers." He added that "there is not credible, specific information with respect to targets or method of attack." Ridge noted that all citizens should be vigilant during public events and in crowded areas, and implied that the raised threat level would persist at least through the holiday weekend. "For all Americans, we recommend that you continue with your plans for work or leisure," Ridge said. If your plans include flying an airplane in the D.C. area, though, that could be tough to do.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/complete/newswire-complete-issue-29