DC ADIZ Experiences

[vicecitydriver]

I am a private pilot who recently flew into the Washington DC ADIZ for the first time. Although it was less complicated than I thought it would be, I was surprised at the unprofessionalism of the controller who gave us our entry transponder code. I was flying a new LSA, and I wouldn't have been surprised at a few questions about its capabilities, but the controller wanted to know stuff like the GPH and seating before he would give us a code. Has anyone had a problem like that in the ADIZ, or any odd situation that you would like to talk about?

[rpd]

Perhaps he was just interested in your specific aircraft.  Many of us controllers are pilots also.  He was probably just interested in an aircraft that was new to him.  We are not required to ask any questions for ADIZ entry.  If the appropriate flight plan is in the system correctly, you get your code and enter.

What was so unprofessional with the questions anyway?

[vicecitydriver]

I just thought it was unprofessional because all this time we were waiting for our transponder code. He kept asking us these questions while we were circling over Brook VOR waiting for permission to enter.

I wouldn't have minded him asking questions, especially because it is a new plane that I, myself, didn't know much about before I had a chance to fly one. I just think that our transponder code should have taken precident over what brand of glass panel it had.

[rpd]

He was probably killing time while simultaneously retrieving your code from the computer.  There are many variables involved here and saying he was unprofesional seems unreasonable.  Most pilots are happy to share details of their aircraft.

[Steel_Anxiety]

What kind of plane is it?

Ever seen the Icon A5?

[rpd]

Sounds like you better not ask any questions about it!!

[Steel_Anxiety]

Well, I am neither a controller nor in the air at the moment. I think it would be perfectly reasonable to ask here.
A clearance does not depend on it.

[jmg9893]

Keep in mind that if you miss your "valid" time for your flight plan, (I am assuming you filed one.) then he will ask you a couple questions about your aircraft. Is it possible you confused GPH with remaining fuel on board and # of seats with # of passengers?  Those would certainly be legit questions. Like others have said maybe he was just curious. An easy way to tell if they didn't have your flight plan is if your discrete code starts with a zero, and this takes a few secs to a minute or so to pull up.

On a side note I fly out of KHEF on a regular basis and as far as controllers go, these guys are great!  I love to hear Potomac Approach when returning. It's like a welcome home greeting!

[Switch Monkey]

Potomac Approach and the tower crew at DCA are the ROCK stars of ATC IMHO