Into the FRZ...

[Brad Z]

That's good to know. BTW, I do have the kneeboard guides, downloaded them when I took the course. But they're mostly very VFR-heavy so I wasn't sure how much of what they say applied to IFR. The course, also, was very short on info for IFR ops in the FRZ.

The clearest document I've seen so far was the one @wsuffa posted, from CGS. But since they say it's unofficial, it's still not clear how much of what is in there is actually correct.

But since, as you say, they'll figure it out if I call the wrong number, I'm not too worried about it now. Thanks!

After all this, I just got some bad news from the organization putting together the conference, seems there has been a glitch with my registration, admittedly mostly my fault. They don't have a hotel spot for me, so unless I can figure something out soon I may not be going after all.

One thing to understand: Unlike everywhere else where IFR and VFR flight plans are handled very differently (i.e. IFR flight plans go to ATC, VFR flight plans stay with flight service), inside the SFRA/FRZ, VFR and IFR flight plans are both handled by Potomac Tracon. An SFRA/FRZ VFR flight plan is just an IFR flight plan with a VFR altitude and special remarks. All FRZ flight plans have a special code in the remarks that confirms the FSS specialist confirmed the identity of the filer.

As such, it's possible to do things like file an IFR flight plan but depart using that flight plan under visual flight rules, and potentially never pick up the IFR flight plan if you choose. Whether you're IFR or VFR, you're talking to the same people through the process. The difference is controllers don't have to worry about separation when you'r eVFR. They still have to talk to you, and you have to be squawking a non-1200 transponder code. That's why the term "transponder observed" exists; it allows them to acknowledge a VFR aircraft's transponder is squawking the right code without saying "radar contact", which would imply they are providing radar service and traffic advisories.

Occasionally Potomac tracon will open up controller positions that just handle VFRs to reduce the workload of controllers working all the IFR arrivals and departures. Otherwise VFR folks are talking to the same controllers handling everything else.

 

[azure]

Okay it looks like I will be flying into FME not CGS. So just to confirm something I gathered from talking (very late yesterday) with Mr. Sommer @ CGS:

For filing *IFR* to a SFRA field outside the FRZ like FME, since no PIN is required, I can file via any standard means, DUAT(S), Foreflight, etc... is this correct?

And inbound from VT to FME, to pick up my IFR clearance, I can simply call the local ATC, is that correct? No need to call Potomac over the phone? (This I didn't discuss with Mr. Sommer and am less certain about.)

Outbound from FME, I still have to call Potomac by phone on the ground to get a squawk. According to the A/FD, this is the only clearance delivery contact for FME. Correct?

Hoping I have it straight now... for IFR, there seem to be some details that the online course doesn't really cover.

 

[GeorgeC]

For IFR into the SFRA, it's business as usual. You're squawking, you're talking, you're good.
Do call Potomac prior to departure to get your squawk and freq; never squawk 1200 inside the SFRA.
"Potomac departure, N12345 off Tipton, level 1000 westbound, IFR on file..." and away you go.

 

[Brad Z]

Okay it looks like I will be flying into FME not CGS. So just to confirm something I gathered from talking (very late yesterday) with Mr. Sommer @ CGS:

For filing *IFR* to a SFRA field outside the FRZ like FME, since no PIN is required, I can file via any standard means, DUAT(S), Foreflight, etc... is this correct?

And inbound from VT to FME, to pick up my IFR clearance, I can simply call the local ATC, is that correct? No need to call Potomac over the phone? (This I didn't discuss with Mr. Sommer and am less certain about.)

Outbound from FME, I still have to call Potomac by phone on the ground to get a squawk. According to the A/FD, this is the only clearance delivery contact for FME. Correct?

Hoping I have it straight now... for IFR, there seem to be some details that the online course doesn't really cover.

For SFRA operations, everyone has to be on a flight plan, squawking and talking. That's it.

By definition, you meet that requirement IFR. For VFR, you just create a flight plan from one of the "gates" such as WOOLY OR PALEO. On ForeFlight, there's an option for a SFRA flight plan on the form. If you are VFR and under flight following, when you get handed to Potomac tracon controllers SFRA they'll find the SFRA flight plan you filed and will likely give you a new squawk code. If you're not on flight following prior to arriving from the north, you'll check in to Potomac approach on 132.775 and once they find your SFRA flight plan they'll give you your code.

As I mentioned, IFR inbound, everything is normal. If it's VFR upon arrival, you can cancel IFR and continue VFR using the IFR flight plan and squawk code you've already been using. You've already squawking, already talking, and you've already taken the SFRA course so you're good to go. The thing about canceling your IFR early is to make sure you're at least talking to Potomac tracon before doing so; if you canceled IFR with Philly there's a chance your flight plan could get closed out before you make it to Potomac Tracon's airspace.

You never have to call Potomac tracon via telephone inbound because you'd call them on the radio before you enter their airspace.

I know a lot folks rather file and fly into the SFRA IFR because it sounds easier and safer. Thing is, northeast routings can be really sketchy and you can end up with an unnecessarily circuitous routing depending on how the arrivals are tracking.

 

[Brad Z]

One other thing I want to mention about SFRA/FRZ operations...

This area has gotten quite a reputation for being a "ticket killer". A few years ago, the FAA was given no discretion in dealing with airspace violations, no matter how inadvertent it was. If you squawked 1200 for even a single radar sweep, you got a violation with a 30-90 day suspension.

Things have quietly changed over the last few years. The FAA now has discretion and applies the new compliance philosophy. As such SFRA violations are relatively rare these days. Do something stupid and expect to get called out. Accidentally hit the VFR button instead of the ident button and expect nothing more than a phone call, a "don't squawk VFR in the SFRA" and a "have a nice day."

In other words, don't sweat flying around here. It's not as bad as you think.

 

[azure]

Thanks, @GeorgeC and @Brad Z !!

 

[wsuffa]

For IFR into the SFRA, it's business as usual. You're squawking, you're talking, you're good.
Do call Potomac prior to departure to get your squawk and freq; never squawk 1200 inside the SFRA.
"Potomac departure, N12345 off Tipton, level 1000 westbound, IFR on file..." and away you go.

Except you'll have to get a squawk prior to departure, might as well get the clearance, too. Cellphone works well, FME used to have a remote that dialed a patch to Potomac. I think that's gone.

 

[wsuffa]

I know a lot folks rather file and fly into the SFRA IFR because it sounds easier and safer. Thing is, northeast routings can be really sketchy and you can end up with an unnecessarily circuitous routing depending on how the arrivals are tracking.

That would be me. I've really not had an issue at FME with bad routings - though they will keep you low to stay under the BWI departures (even VFR will have that issue headed north), but it's almost always the case out of HEF, JYO, and the like. YMMV.

One thing to be very careful of going into FME is the proximity to the FRZ boundary. Twice going int FME they've left me pointed toward the FRZ and failed to issue the turn toward FME - speak up early and often if you get uncomfortable. That's one reason to stay on IFR - in the unlikely event they screw up, your on their vectors. But speak up, they let me get within 1 mile of the FRZ boundary which was too close for comfort.

 

[wsuffa]

Looked it up. Last time I came back from the Boston area, it was the DP (essentially vectors) out of OWD, then V16, and then V268 to V214 and vectors over to HEF. V16 keeps you out of Philly.

On the way back (depending on altitude) they may offer you V268 over MANTA intersection. I would accept it if I were at 15,000 or above, but I would ask for a different route if I were under that. That's the "shark route" that goes out over the coast and cuts the corner of NYC. It's shorter, but a lot of folks don't like it because it's out of gliding distance. YMMV.

 

[azure]

Yeah I think I'll pass on the "shark route". In my Cardinal I've never gone above 11,000 and noticed the controls starting to get mushy up there. I like 8 or 9000, maybe 10 at the highest. The FF "cleared route" goes well west of NYC and even skirts the west side of the PHL Bravo. The only thing that makes me a little nervous is that it then dives SW straight over BWI. I wouldn't mind being kept low through the Bravo, but I don't want them to get me south of Philly and then send me way east over the Bay. Any reasonable route I can choose to avoid that would be okay with me.

Here's what FF gave me: KMPV RUCKY V447 CAM V542 ALB V213 SAX SBJ V403 BELAY V499 ENSUE KFME

 

[Brad Z]

That would be me. I've really not had an issue at FME with bad routings - though they will keep you low to stay under the BWI departures (even VFR will have that issue headed north), but it's almost always the case out of HEF, JYO, and the like. YMMV.

One thing to be very careful of going into FME is the proximity to the FRZ boundary. Twice going int FME they've left me pointed toward the FRZ and failed to issue the turn toward FME - speak up early and often if you get uncomfortable. That's one reason to stay on IFR - in the unlikely event they screw up, your on their vectors. But speak up, they let me get within 1 mile of the FRZ boundary which was too close for comfort.

I make frequent trips up the north east corridor; my typical destination is White Plains or Bridgeport. VFR I can truck straight on up directly over Philly and Manhatten. IFR they send me out through Allentown and up to Newburgh NY. Regardless, they are always airways.

By the way, going into FME VFR, why are they vectoring you? Aren't you below bravo airspace? I've never been vectored VFR on my side of town unless I specially asked for a bravo clearance. That said, from years of flying traffic planes around D.C. I'm very used to cruising for hours at 1,400 MSL, just a hundred feet under bravo most of the time.

 

[gasfiltered]

The only thing that makes me a little nervous is that it then dives SW straight over BWI. I wouldn't mind being kept low through the Bravo, but I don't want them to get me south of Philly and then send me way east over the Bay.

Going to Tipton from the north you will very likely cross BWI midfield and then get direct. If not, don't sweat it, the bay is not that wide there. I would commonly get BELAY then LOUIE or GRACO then direct. If it's good vis, your best bet is to cancel with Potomac as soon as you get handed off to the 119.7 sector (right around KMTN) and request BWI direct. They won't give you that IFR, but will almost always do it VFR. I moved from Baltimore about a year ago, so things may have changed since then.

 

[azure]

Thanks!

 

[azure]

One question that I forgot to ask here is: departing IFR from a field inside the SFRA but outside the FRZ, can you get your squawk from Potomac and then depart VFR and pick up your clearance in the air? I learned from the folks down there that you CAN NOT. You need to either get your clearance by phone from the ground with a hold for release and void time, or else if you want to pick up the clearance in the air, you have to file a separate SFRA plan for VFR departure. I chose the first route since one flight plan seemed simpler, and I didn't have a SFRA plan form with me.

Anyway I'm back. The trip down from MPV took 3.5 hours in all, even with a 10-15 kt headwind. The trip back took 4.5 hours with a similar headwind, with a pit stop (bathroom break). The length of flight was only partly because of the pit stop. The routing was the kind I dread: they took me over a half hour out of my way on radar vectors to the SE, then over the Chesapeake and Delaware. My original clearance was the V14 "shark route", but I objected and they gave me V1 up the Jersey shore and directly over JFK. I filed for 9000 but they could only give me 7 on the shoreline route, and because of the headwind I didn't want to reduce power to fly LOP, so I was a gas guzzler for that leg (relatively speaking, 10 gph instead of 8). It was a long, slow, and very uncomfortable flight due to needing to pee the whole way.

Oh yes, my pit stop was 1B1, Columbia County NY, where my airplane's previous owner was based for 30 years. I learned from the desk manager at Richmor Aviation that Tom has moved away... far away in fact. I won't post details publicly, but anyone who knew or had met him and wants to know more is welcome to PM me. It was a surprising development.

Anyway, the Branded Bird had an interesting homecoming.

 

[weilke]

One question that I forgot to ask here is: departing IFR from a field inside the SFRA but outside the FRZ, can you get your squawk from Potomac and then depart VFR and pick up your clearance in the air? I learned from the folks down there that you CAN NOT. You need to either get your clearance by phone from the ground with a hold for release and void time, or else if you want to pick up the clearance in the air, you have to file a separate SFRA plan for VFR departure. I chose the first route since one flight plan seemed simpler, and I didn't have a SFRA plan form with me.

I can't speak for all of the SFRA, but departing IFR from 2W5 you can depart VFR and pick up the IFR clearance on the climbout. You DO have to call for the squawk and communicate your intent to the clearance desk. It makes their life easier so I have never had a problem.

 

[GeorgeC]

Weird, I've departed VFR on an IFR plan from Freeway with just a squawk and a departure frequency and they gave us the clearance in the air. I wonder if I (or Potomac) did it wrong.

 

[azure]

Weird, I've departed VFR on an IFR plan from Freeway with just a squawk and a departure frequency and they gave us the clearance in the air. I wonder if I (or Potomac) did it wrong.

Or maybe the folks at Tipton were wrong. I asked the desk people, who asked a couple of the CFIs at the flight school down the row. They had never heard of anyone doing that. I took their word for it and didn't ask Potomac. So maybe there's nothing wrong with it, they just don't do it that way at FME.

 

[weilke]

Or maybe the folks at Tipton were wrong. I asked the desk people, who asked a couple of the CFIs at the flight school down the row. They had never heard of anyone doing that. I took their word for it and didn't ask Potomac. So maybe there's nothing wrong with it, they just don't do it that way at FME.

A couple of years ago, someone with a Pa46 took off from Tipton trying to pick up his clearance without calling for a squawk first. Potomac yelled at him and told him to land. He got frazzled, crashed and died. What you encountered may be the result of that crash.

 

[azure]

A couple of years ago, someone with a Pa46 took off from Tipton trying to pick up his clearance without calling for a squawk first. Potomac yelled at him and told him to land. He got frazzled, crashed and died. What you encountered may be the result of that crash.

Possibly, though no one mentioned a reason why it's not done. In fact, they said they had never heard of anyone doing it.

Oh, and an addendum: as I was writing this, CGS phoned and gave me my PIN, so I'm now fully vetted and ready to fly down.

I'm sure it will come in useful down the line, though.

 

[wsuffa]

You can ask Potomac when you call and they either will or won't. I've picked up a clearance in the past and told them I could depart VFR and accept the release in the air and it's been granted without needing 2 flight plans. A lot of controllers, especially around BWI, are busy handling airline traffic and won't want to give a clearance in the air, but if you have the clearance and only need the release, they *might* be willing to do it. It's worth asking if the release time is going to be of any consequence.

No guarantees, though, and the airports in the FRZ are a bit of a different story.

 

[Brad Z]

Sounds like you discovered why I avoid IFR flying the northeast, routing-wise...

As far as departing VFR with an IFR pickup airborne, you most certainly can. The easiest way is to file IFR normally, call Potomac by phone to get your clearance, and advise them that you intend to depart VFR. They'll give you your routine squawk, departure frequency, etc. Before you depart, enter your squawk code and call approach. They'll give you some initial instructions and advise you to remain VFR until they can clear you. The controlllers much prefer this method as they don't have to cordon off airspace until you show up on radar.

 

[azure]

Sounds like you discovered why I avoid IFR flying the northeast, routing-wise...

As far as departing VFR with an IFR pickup airborne, you most certainly can. The easiest way is to file IFR normally, call Potomac by phone to get your clearance, and advise them that you intend to depart VFR. They'll give you your routine squawk, departure frequency, etc. Before you depart, enter your squawk code and call approach. They'll give you some initial instructions and advise you to remain VFR until they can clear you. The controlllers much prefer this method as they don't have to cordon off airspace until you show up on radar.

Not sure what you mean by the part I bolded. Why call them again before departure? Can't they give you these instructions with the initial clearance? Without a way to reach them by radio on the ground, I'd need to shut down, call them, restart, and do another runup.

Anyway thanks, it's good to know that you can depart VFR and pick up in the air, thought it sounds from what @wsuffa wrote that it might be iffy depending on ATC's workload.

For the record, my initial clearance was: cleared to KMPV via upon entering controlled airspace fly heading 140, then radar vectors PALEO SIE V308 ORW V14 GDM V151 MPV, maintain 2000, expect 9000 in 10 minutes, departure & squawk. After hearing that route I knew it was going to take me a good 10 minutes to get all that punched in on both the 480 and in Foreflight, and negotiated a release window accordingly.

 

[Brad Z]

Not sure what you mean by the part I bolded. Why call them again before departure? Can't they give you these instructions with the initial clearance? Without a way to reach them by radio on the ground, I'd need to shut down, call them, restart, and do another runup.

Anyway thanks, it's good to know that you can depart VFR and pick up in the air, thought it sounds from what @wsuffa wrote that it might be iffy depending on ATC's workload.

For the record, my initial clearance was: cleared to KMPV via upon entering controlled airspace fly heading 140, then radar vectors PALEO SIE V308 ORW V14 GDM V151 MPV, maintain 2000, expect 9000 in 10 minutes, departure & squawk. After hearing that route I knew it was going to take me a good 10 minutes to get all that punched in on both the 480 and in Foreflight, and negotiated a release window accordingly.

Sorry...my wife was taking to me while I was typing. What I meant to say is...

before you take off, enter your squawk code and call approach after you're airborne.

The only iffy part about getting your IFR clearance when departing VFR is how long it will take. If you're not assured good VMC, I wouldn't recommend it...but that's true anywhere, not just in the SFRA or FRZ.

 

[flyingron]

For SFRA operations, everyone has to be on a flight plan, squawking and talking. That's it.

And if you're coming in VFR, you need to have completed the course.

 

[Brad Z]

And if you're coming in VFR, you need to have completed the course.

You're correct.
(In my defense, note the context of my response, in which I was advising him of what he needed to do in order to fly in the SFRA versus the FRZ. The assumption was that he had taken the course, which was mentioned multiple times previously in the thread.)

 

[Rykymus]

I have friends that live just northwest of Tipton (FME) which is outside the FRZ but inside the permanent TFR. So, I'm assuming that I don't have to do all that advance stuff, and that I can just file an IFR flight plan and go. I'd like to visit them in June, but I'd be flying from Texas and there's no way I'm jumping through all those silly FRZ hoops.

 

[flyingron]

Yes, an IFR plan (and clearance) is all you need to go into the SFRA outside the FRZ. If you want to do it VFR, you'll need the course (https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/courseLanding.aspx?cID=405). Frankly, you should take the course anyhow. It will explain all the details to you.

The FRZ has lots of hoops more than what BradZ also mentioned, he only covered the "flight plan" part of the proedure.

 

[Rykymus]

Thanks Ron. I'll do the course.

 

[Brad Z]

FWIW, if your VFR within 60nm of DCA VOR, you're required to complete the online training. That could be as far away as Gettysburg PA.

 

[iflyvfr]

@Brad Z et all, I have a question about enroute changes into the SFRA? I've flown into the SFRA once before, piece of cake. I'm looking at a touch of weather on Friday, which makes me wonder, what if I have already filed my SFRA flight plan and am in the air and need to divert due to WX?

For example, I file for TZR --> HEF via FLUKY. As I'm in the air decide I need to divert north to some lower terrain and instead want to fly KTZR KVVS KCBE KHEF. This means I would enter thru the Jasen gate instead of the filed Fluky. As I'm already talking to ATC with FF, I suspect no one will care and I'll get a big yawn from Potomoc, but wanted to know if anyone had experienced this. I didn't see it covered in the FAA SFRA training course I retook last night.

 

[Brad Z]

@Brad Z et all, I have a question about enroute changes into the SFRA? I've flown into the SFRA once before, piece of cake. I'm looking at a touch of weather on Friday, which makes me wonder, what if I have already filed my SFRA flight plan and am in the air and need to divert due to WX?

For example, I file for TZR --> HEF via FLUKY. As I'm in the air decide I need to divert north to some lower terrain and instead want to fly KTZR KVVS KCBE KHEF. This means I would enter thru the Jasen gate instead of the filed Fluky. As I'm already talking to ATC with FF, I suspect no one will care and I'll get a big yawn from Potomoc, but wanted to know if anyone had experienced this. I didn't see it covered in the FAA SFRA training course I retook last night.

The "gate" is used to get your flightplan to the appropriate controller. If your gates are off, just notify the controller of which gate you filed for and he or she will be able to find the flightplan in the system. If your one gate off they won't even notice. If you file for PALEO (northeast) and arrive at FLUKY (southwest) you might want to give them a heads up on your initial call-up.

 

[iflyvfr]

The "gate" is used to get your flightplan to the appropriate controller. If your gates are off, just notify the controller of which gate you filed for and he or she will be able to find the flightplan in the system. If your one gate off they won't even notice. If you file for PALEO (northeast) and arrive at FLUKY (southwest) you might want to give them a heads up on your initial call-up.

Thank you Brad. I assume that because I will be on FF, the controller will handle it for me but good to know in case it comes up. Last time, I was way earlier to FLUKY than I'd filed and I think the East coast ATC system collectively yawned when I worried aloud about it. ;-)

 

[wsuffa]

The "gate" is used to get your flightplan to the appropriate controller. If your gates are off, just notify the controller of which gate you filed for and he or she will be able to find the flightplan in the system. If your one gate off they won't even notice. If you file for PALEO (northeast) and arrive at FLUKY (southwest) you might want to give them a heads up on your initial call-up.

Thank you Brad. I assume that because I will be on FF, the controller will handle it for me but good to know in case it comes up. Last time, I was way earlier to FLUKY than I'd filed and I think the East coast ATC system collectively yawned when I worried aloud about it. ;-)

This is pretty much it. The"gate" is just a filing point - you don't need to fly over the waypoint. From the FAA standpoint, your SFRA flight plan is handled like an IFR plan, so any of the positions can pull it up. You don't even need to file over the gate nearest the airport - I've come in from the southeast over Brooke and the Northeast over WOOLY (and given the Dulles East transition).

 

[benyflyguy]

I am currently undergoing the vetting process. I sent in my fingerprints to the clearinghouse in Reno. I sent/faxes my pin application/sfra cert/copies of ID, medical and pilot license to KCGS.
Can anyone offer an idea of how long it takes to get approved or how you are notified???

 

[azure]

For me, the entire process took a little over 3 weeks, as I recall. I started the application process a bit late and asked for my case to be expedited. I wasn't notified; I kept calling the office at College Park, my planned destination. Eventually I was told that my PIN would be ready on Friday, and I needed to leave early Monday. As it turned out it wasn't ready, and I had to change my plans (ended up landing at Tipton instead). I finally received my PIN when I got back home, a week later. As I recall the delay was apparently even beyond the weekend, and it really wasn't ready until the following week. So, about 3 weeks in all.

 

[benyflyguy]

Just got my PIN number. Looking to take a trip to KCGS. My friends are taking bets to see how long it will take me to get an escort .
Actually going to take a lesson for my first ride.
That leads me to next question. Does my CFII need to be vetted? Does it change pending what kind flight plan? I’m an IFR student so does that change anything??

 

[flyingron]

The "gate" is used to get your flightplan to the appropriate controller. If your gates are off, just notify the controller of which gate you filed for and he or she will be able to find the flightplan in the system. If your one gate off they won't even notice. If you file for PALEO (northeast) and arrive at FLUKY (southwest) you might want to give them a heads up on your initial call-up.

Yeah, the gates were added because back in the original "ADIZ" day, even the FAA "experts" didn't understand flight plan routing. I went to a FAA-AOPA sponsored program at JYO early on. They made a video of how they thought it was supposed to work, except it didn't. They filed their flight plan for EMI or DMW (can't remember which) which is in ZNY's airspace. Approach obviously didn't have it. Why they made a video showing how broken it was and then SHOWED it to pilots I will never know.

Of course, this was after the intial FRZ clearances were handed out and Marty (FAA airtraffic managment somewhere at the time), kept going on and on about how difficult it was going to be to get the VFR FRZ plans to approach. I ask them why they just don't put them in as IFR. Hmm... he says he goes over to the Leesburg FSS guys who were in attendance and asks them that. "Of course, we're going to put them in as IFR. How else would it work?"

Nobody in FAA management understands actual operations as near as I can tell.

 

[FlatPiglet]

Got my PIN about 2 months ago and have flown into CGS twice since then, IFR in and out both times. No sweat. Couple of tips I didn't see covered above:

- Filing needs to be done on the phone and can take about 10 minutes...they are very pleasant but want to check every field. I've also had them put me on hold after the plan is in to make sure it's _really_ in the system. Good to know, just make sure you aren't in a rush.
- They'll store your tail number in a profile which saves a bit of time on subsequent filings. Next time you call, ask for "File N1234-XXY" where XXY is your home base.

CGS is lovely - nice new ops building, friendly dog, and about 6 minutes walk from the Metro (not a very nice walk, but easy). Definitely my new go-to airport for visiting DC from the north.

 

[flyingron]

You can also prefile outbound FRZ plans as well if you have a destination you'd like to frequently use.

 

[steingar]

I did the SFRA VFR myself over the weekend. I think they actually did their best to make it easy. In through the WOOLY gate to GAI, then out through the LUCKE gate to home. New fancy pants ADSB transponder certainly got a trial by fire, but it worked out fine. One thing I didn't know going in is they will ask the distance and time between the gate and your destination. And of course it's a bad idea to forget about all the class bravos in the area when dealing with the SFRA.