DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Potomac TRACON
3699 MacIntosh Drive
Warrenton, VA 20187
Subject: VFR Practice Instrument Approaches
Cancellation: 03/27/2025 1200 (UTC)
Potomac Approach Control (PCT) will provide IFR separation to VFR aircraft conducting practice instrument approaches at the following airports: Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI), Martin State Airport (MTN), Newnam Field Airport - Easton (ESN), Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport -Martinsburg (MRB). Manassas Regional Airport (HEF), Hagerstown Airport (HGR), Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), Richmond International Airport (RIC), and Charlottesville-Albemarle County Airport (CHO).
Pilots requesting practice instrument approaches should advise Potomac Approach on initial contact of the airport, type approach requested and intentions for completion of the approach. IFR separation will be based on known traffic and will be applied after the approach clearance is issued. Unless specifically requested by the pilot and approved by the controller, IFR separation will not be provided for the missed approach procedure.
Pilots should understand that practice approaches may not interrupt the flow of other arriving and departing traffic. Consequently, at times, it may be necessary to refuse, delay or withdraw authorization to conduct practice approaches. Additionally, pilots should be aware that an approach clearance does not relieve the pilot of his/her responsibility to see and avoid other traffic or to remain in VFR weather conditions as defined in FAR 91.155. Requests for practice approaches should be made on the appropriate approach control frequency.
APPROACH CONTROL FREQUENCY FOR PRACTICE APPROACHES:
AIRPORT APPROACH CONTROL FREQUENCY
BWI 119.7/290.475
MTN 119.7/290.475
ESN 124.55/317.425
FDK West - 126.82/239.025
East - 125.52/291.625
HEF 120.82/284.625
HGR 126.82/239.025
MRB 126.82/239.025
RIC West - 126.75/307.2
East - 126.4/282.375
CHO 132.85/269.525 or
120.52/323.125