# 2026-01226: FAA Curbs Helicopter Flights Near DC's Potomac to Prevent Mid-Air Mishaps

2026-01226, Flight Restrictions in the Vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2026-01-23, effective 2026-01-23 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01226
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-01226
- Title: Flight Restrictions in the Vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 2840
- Published: 2026-01-23
- Effective: 2026-01-23
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AM14
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FAA Curbs Helicopter Flights Near DC's Potomac to Prevent Mid-Air Mishaps

## Summary

Starting January 23, 2026, helicopters and special vertical-lift aircraft near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) face new flight limits to keep the skies safer and avoid crashes. These rules mainly affect pilots flying close to the Potomac River, allowing only essential flights in certain spots. The FAA wants your feedback by February 23, 2026, so speak up if you have thoughts!

## Abstract

FAA is revising its regulations to implement certain flight restrictions in the airspace over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) permanently. These revisions are necessary to mitigate the potential for midair collisions resulting from insufficient separation between fixed-wing aircraft operating to or from DCA and helicopters or powered-lift operating in the vertical- lift flight mode near DCA. The revisions will also fully implement a National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendation. The flight restrictions will prohibit helicopters and powered-lift operating in the vertical-lift flight mode from operating in a designated area near DCA unless these aircraft are conducting an essential operation.

## Effects PRIA read

- Helicopter Flights Mostly Banned Near DCA: cost, low. Starting January 23, 2026, helicopters and powered-lift aircraft in the vertical-lift flight mode are prohibited from operating in the area between the Memorial Bridge, Hains Point, and the Wilson Bridge over the Potomac River unless conducting an essential operation. The restriction applies from t…
- Only Narrow 'Essential' Flights Allowed: benefit, low. The rule allows only narrow essential helicopter or powered-lift operations in the restricted area: lifesaving medical flights, active law enforcement responses to ongoing crime, active national security operations, continuity activities for the Federal government, or transport of the U.S. Presiden…
- Runway Use Can Be Restricted During Exceptions: benefit, low. When an essential helicopter or powered-lift operation must occur inside the restricted area, air traffic control will manage fixed-wing traffic and may restrict use of Runway 15 and Runway 33 for departures and arrivals, respectively, and Runway 04 for departures at DCA. FAA states these measures…
- Coast Guard Operations Near Terminal A Exempted: benefit, low. The rule excludes the airspace near DCA's Terminal A from the prohibition so that U.S. Coast Guard helicopters based at DCA can continue routine operations there. FAA determined those operations occur far enough from the runways that they do not create the same insufficient-separation risk.

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## Sources
- [2026-01226 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/23/2026-01226/flight-restrictions-in-the-vicinity-of-ronald-reagan-washington-national-airport-dca)
- [2026-01226 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-23/pdf/2026-01226.pdf)

## Related
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- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-01226 (as of 2026-06-11).