Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Non Radar 28; Air Traffic Control Radar 26; Air Traffic Control Supervisory 1
Other / Unknown; Troubleshooting
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
The local FSDO visited my facility recently regarding the frequency of pilot deviations as they relate to the Leesburg Maneuvering Area (LMA); a special use area near the SFRA of Washington DC. Specifically; aircraft must use code XXXX while VFR and entering/exiting the LMA. An old procedure that was eliminated in 2014 was to use XXXY inbound and XXXX outboard. Since 2014; it has only been XXXX. It was brought to my attention that FSS is briefing pilots with the old rules. This occurred again today and the pilot indicated that he specifically asked in his briefing about the code and the specialist stated that the rules haven't changed and that XXXY is used inbound. This must be corrected immediately. Any time an aircraft enters the LMA on an incorrect code; it is deemed a pilot deviation. If we can eliminate the poor information being provided to pilots; this issue should resolve itself.
7/5/2019Manager reported that another ATC division listened to a briefing from the FSS in question and did not hear inaccurate information. This ATC Manger recommends contacting the FSS to insure the correct information is indeed being disseminated.
Air Traffic Control Manger reported Flight Service Station is disseminating the wrong information regarding squawk codes used to enter / exit a practice area. Wrong codes could create a possible pilot deviation.