Blog

Flight Operations to Washington, D.C.

Michael Prather | - 04/28/2016

Are you familiar with Washington Dulles? Here’s some valuable information to help you prepare for flight operations to D.C.

As the capital and political nerve center of the U.S., Washington, D.C. is a popular business operations destination. It’s also the venue of the NBAA Business Aviation Tax Seminar taking place this May 6. This year’s seminar agenda will concentrate on issues surrounding the latest federal tax policy as well as advice on how to best prepare for federal and state audits. It will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Airport

Washington Dulles International

IATA: IAD
ICAO: KIAD
Latitude / longitude: N38-56.8/W077-27.6
Elevation: 313 ft.
Magnetic Variation: 10W
Fuel: Jet, AVGAS

No overflight or landing permits are required for private and non-scheduled commercial flights.

Operational Information

Aircraft with an MTOW of more than 100,309 lbs and/or registered to special interest countries (China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, & Syria) require TSA Waiver Authorization if flying domestic legs within the US. FAA Route Authorization for landing and overflying is required for aircraft registered in special interest countries.

TSA Waiver Authorization is not required for aircraft with MTOW of less than 100,309 lbs overflying the United States and departing to and arriving at portal countries (Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, & Cayman Islands. Aircraft registered in these countries are also authorized to operate within the Territorial Airspace of the U.S. so long as all applicable regulations are met.

Non-scheduled commercial flights require US Department of Transportation license to operate flights in the USA.

Foreign operators wish to provide air transportation services must obtain two authorizations from the Department of Transportation:

Economic Authority from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation in the form of a certificate for interstate or foreign passenger and/or cargo authority.

Safety Authority in the form of an Air Carrier Certificate and Operations Specifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Immigration

Non-U.S. citizens who wish to enter the United States must obtain a U.S. visa to be inserted into their passport before they enter the country.
There are certain travelers who may travel without a visa through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP enables citizens of designated countries to travel to the U.S. for stays of up to 90 days without arranging a visa before their trip.

Citizens of the following countries may travel to the U.S. under the VWP:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, The United Kingdom*, The Netherlands.

*This applies to British citizens only with the unrestricted right of permanent domicile in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
All citizens of VWP countries planning to travel to the U.S. for 90 days or under must receive authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, ESTA, before boarding a U.S.-bound flight. ESTA is an automated system that assists in determining an individual’s eligibility to travel to the U.S.

Crew

Crewmember (D) visas are non-immigrant visas for persons working on aircraft and intending to depart the U.S. again within 29 days.

Customs

Import

Special duty preferences exist for articles from certain developing countries. Information regarding the countries and the eligible articles can be obtained directly from the U.S. International Trade Commission, 701 E Street N.W., Washington, D. C. 20436 or from the nearest overseas U.S. Consulate.
For further information regarding the exact allowance for your country of origin, please contact:
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), National Center for Import and Export, 4700 River Road, Unit 39; Riverdale, MD 20737.
• The U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Washington, D.C. 20240, or at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas.
• Quarantines; U.S. Department of Agriculture (see address quoted above) or at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Prohibited
Narcotics, meat products, plants, seeds, vegetables, fruits, soil, dairy products, live insects, snails and other pests.
Also, fish (unless it has been certified disease-free), items from Iran, leather souvenirs from Haiti, and Cuban cigars.

Export

Free export exists for an unlimited quantity of tobacco and alcohol.

Crew

Crew are allowed to import:
• One open liter of alcohol
• 300 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of smoking tobacco
• Merchandise not exceeding USD $200 in value
• A special crew line is available

Currency

The local currency is the United States Dollar-USD. There are no restrictions on the import and export of cash provided arriving and departing passengers report amounts exceeding USD 10,000.

Importation of gold coins or small, non-commercial quantities of gold must be declared on arrival.

Baggage Clearance

All baggage, regardless of next destination, is cleared at the first point of entry in the USA. This also applies to the baggage of passengers making an international transfer.

Crew: A special crew line is available.