ADIZ Requirements

AIM ¶ 5-6-4 ADIZ Requirements

AIM 5-6-4 explains ADIZ rules: transponder, two-way radio, DVFR/IFR flight plans, and position reporting before penetration. Key checkride knowledge.

In Plain English

An Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) is airspace established under 14 CFR Part 99 to enable early identification of aircraft approaching U.S. airspace. AIM 5-6-4 outlines what every pilot must do when operating into, within, or across an ADIZ.

Key requirements:

  • Transponder: Operable Mode C transponder squawking a discrete code assigned by ATC/FSS (not 1200). UAT anonymous mode is prohibited, and outbound 1090ES ADS-B aircraft cannot use a privacy ICAO address.
  • Two-way radio: Maintain continuous two-way communication with an appropriate aeronautical facility (14 CFR 99.9).
  • Flight plan: File, activate, and close either an IFR or DVFR flight plan. DVFR must be activated and the discrete code set before entering the ADIZ. Depart within 5 minutes of the proposed time.
  • Position reporting: Before penetration, report time, position, and altitude over the last reporting point, or at least 15 minutes prior if no reporting point exists.

Land-Based ADIZ are activated by NOTAM over metro areas — failure to comply risks military intercept. Limited exceptions exist (e.g., flights within 10 NM of departure in the contiguous U.S. or Alaska). This is regulatory content (Part 99), not just advisory.

AIM Source Text
FAA AIM ¶ 5-6-4
5-6-4. 5-6-4. ADIZ Requirements To facilitate early identification of all aircraft in the vicinity of U.S. airspace boundaries, Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ) have been established. All aircraft must meet certain requirements to facilitate early identification when operating into, within, and across an ADIZ, as described in 14 CFR 99. Requirements for aircraft operations are as follows: Transponder Requirements. Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each aircraft conducting operations into, within, or across the contiguous U.S. ADIZ must be equipped with an operable radar beacon transponder. The transponder must be turned on and squawking a discrete beacon code assigned by ATC or issued by FSS and displaying the aircraft altitude. Use of beacon code 1200 is not authorized. Use of the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) anonymity mode is not authorized. For air defense purposes, aircraft equipped with an operable 1090es (DO-260b) ADS-B system operating outbound across the contiguous U.S. ADIZ may also be identified by the ICAO aircraft address (otherwise known as the aircraft Mode S code). Therefore, use of a privacy ICAO aircraft address by outbound aircraft is not authorized. Pilots of outbound VFR aircraft must squawk a discrete beacon code assigned by ATC or issued by FSS. Nothing in this section changes the ADS-B OUT requirements of 14 CFR 91.225. REFERENCE- 14 CFR 99.13, Transponder-On Requirements. 14 CFR 91.225, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment and use. Two-way Radio. In accordance with 14 CFR 99.9, Radio Requirements , any person operating in an ADIZ must maintain two-way radio communication with an appropriate aeronautical facility. For two-way radio communications failure, follow instructions contained in 14 CFR 99.9. Flight Plan. In accordance with 14 CFR 99.11, Flight Plan Requirements , and 14 CFR 99.9, except as specified in subparagraph 5-6-4e, no person may operate an aircraft into, within, or from a departure point within an ADIZ, unless the person files, activates, and closes a flight plan with an appropriate aeronautical facility, or is otherwise authorized by air traffic control as follows: Pilots must file an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan or file a Defense Visual Flight Rules (DVFR) flight plan containing the time and point of ADIZ penetration; The pilot must activate the DVFR flight plan with U.S. Flight Service and set the aircraft transponder to the assigned discrete beacon code prior to entering the ADIZ; The IFR or DVFR aircraft must depart within 5 minutes of the estimated departure time contained in the flight plan, except for (d) below; If the airport of departure within the Alaskan ADIZ has no facility for filing a flight plan, the flight plan must be filed immediately after takeoff or when within range of an appropriate aeronautical facility; State aircraft (U.S. or foreign) planning to operate through an ADIZ should enter ICAO Code M in Item 8 of the flight plan to assist in identification of the aircraft as a state aircraft. Position Reporting Before Penetration of ADIZ. In accordance with 14 CFR 99.15, Position Reports , before entering the ADIZ, the pilot must report to an appropriate aeronautical facility as follows: IFR flights in controlled airspace. The pilot must maintain a continuous watch on the appropriate frequency and report the time and altitude of passing each designated reporting point or those reporting points specified or requested by ATC, except that while the aircraft is under radar control, only the passing of those reporting points specifically requested by ATC need be reported. (See 14 CFR 91.183(a), IFR Communications .) DVFR flights and IFR flights in uncontrolled airspace: The time, position, and altitude at which the aircraft passed the last reporting point before penetration and the estimated time of arrival over the next appropriate reporting point along the flight route; If there is no appropriate reporting point along the flight route, the pilot reports at least 15 minutes before penetration: the estimated time, position, and altitude at which the pilot will penetrate; or If the departure airport is within an ADIZ or so close to the ADIZ boundary that it prevents the pilot from complying with (a) or (b) above, the pilot must report immediately after departure: the time of departure, the altitude, and the estimated time of arrival over the first reporting point along the flight route. Foreign civil aircraft. If the pilot of a foreign civil aircraft that intends to enter the U.S. through an ADIZ cannot comply with the reporting requirements in subparagraphs c1 or c2 above, as applicable, the pilot must report the position of the aircraft to the appropriate aeronautical facility not less than 1 hour and not more than 2 hours average direct cruising distance from the U.S. Land-Based ADIZ. Land-Based ADIZ are activated and deactivated over U.S. metropolitan areas as needed, with dimensions, activation dates and other relevant information disseminated via NOTAM. Pilots unable to comply with all NOTAM requirements must remain clear of Land-Based ADIZ. Pilots entering a Land-Based ADIZ without authorization or who fail to follow all requirements risk interception by military fighter aircraft. Exceptions to ADIZ requirements. Except for the national security requirements in paragraph 5-6-2 , transponder requirements in subparagraph 5-6-4 b1, and position reporting in subparagraph 5-6-4 c, the ADIZ requirements in 14 CFR part 99 described in this section do not apply to the following aircraft operations pursuant to section 99.1(b), Applicability: Within the 48 contiguous States or within the State of Alaska, on a flight which remains within 10 NM of the point of departure; Operating at true airspeed of less than 180 knots in the Hawaii ADIZ or over any island, or within 12 NM of the coastline of any island, in the Hawaii ADIZ; Operating at true airspeed of less than 180 knots in the Alaska ADIZ while the pilot maintains a continuous listening watch on the appropriate frequency; or Operating at true airspeed of less than 180 knots in the Guam ADIZ. An FAA air route traffic control center (ARTCC) may exempt certain aircraft operations on a local basis in concurrence with the DoD or pursuant to an agreement with a U.S. Federal security or intelligence agency. (See 14 CFR 99.1 for additional information.) A VFR flight plan filed inflight makes an aircraft subject to interception for positive identification when entering an ADIZ. Pilots are therefore urged to file the required DVFR flight plan either in person or by telephone prior to departure when able.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What transponder requirements apply when operating across the contiguous U.S. ADIZ?
Per AIM 5-6-4, the aircraft must have an operable radar beacon transponder turned on and squawking a discrete beacon code assigned by ATC or FSS while displaying altitude. Code 1200 and UAT anonymity mode are not authorized.
Q2What flight plan options does a VFR pilot have for crossing an ADIZ, and when must it be activated?
Per AIM 5-6-4, a VFR pilot must file a DVFR flight plan containing the time and point of ADIZ penetration, then activate it with Flight Service and set the assigned discrete transponder code prior to entering the ADIZ. The aircraft must depart within 5 minutes of the estimated departure time.
Q3If there is no designated reporting point along your route before the ADIZ, when must you make a position report?
Per AIM 5-6-4, if no appropriate reporting point exists, the pilot must report at least 15 minutes before penetration the estimated time, position, and altitude at which the aircraft will enter the ADIZ.
Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5
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AIM 5-6-4 — ADIZ Requirements for Pilots