From a pilot based at Potomac:   5-15-2005

The three greatest myths about Potomac Airfield (VKX) …

 1)  “ Potomac Airfield isn’t open.”  That’s just plain wrong!  If you believe that, then you haven’t been paying attention since Spring of ’02!

 2)  “It takes too long to get across the Wilson Bridge from VA.”  It is if you stay in the slow lanes!  Traffic is a strange animal and it has its unique pattern flows, as I’m sure all of you daily commuters know.  The Wilson Bridge is no different.  The secret for crossing the Wilson Bridge during heavy traffic periods is to stay in the FAR right lane all the way until it turns into an exit lane for Hwy 1 southbound.  Then, get over into the left lane for crossing the bridge.  I’ve been traveling to/from Potomac from Virginia now for the past 4 years and it never fails that the three left lanes are consistently slow, while the right lane continues to move at a much faster rate.  Try it; you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

 3)  “It’s hard to get cleared to operate into/out of Potomac and even harder to operate there.”  Obviously perpetuated by someone who hasn’t been cleared to operate and who doesn’t operate at Potomac !  I routinely operate at several of the towered airports in the greater DC area, and am routinely delayed by ATC for traffic congestion, lost flight plans, etc.  In fact, I’ve even had to shut down on the taxiway waiting in line to depart from a towered airport!  The clearance/background investigation process is easy and straightforward.  If you’re paranoid about giving the government information that they already have on you, then it’s best you spend your valuable time driving out to Manassas , Warrenton, Gaithersburg , Stafford or one of the other outlying airports.  Once cleared, operating is even easier.  You file your flight plan and obtain your discrete squawk and departure frequency just like any other non-towered airport within the ADIZ … which I think happens to be easier then trying to get it from Ground Control along with the 10 other pilots stepping on your radio transmission!