ZDC Capping & Tunneling Plan

ZDC typically employs tunneling/capping procedures during significant SWAP events and during special event and holiday traffic volume situations. While meant to be comprehensive, this list is not all inclusive.

For SWAP events, the following capping initiatives are considered:

• J518..J64 departure route is used with FL220 as the cap altitude
• DC Metro DAILY departures capped at or below FL220 to destinations from CHS north.
• LDN/AML departures with "LIMBO" route playbooks are capped at 100 in lieu of typical climb to 170 - FL230 with climb clearances west of J109.
• MOL..J24.HVQ escape route in lieu of a LDN departure are capped at FL220 until aircraft are nearing the ZID boundary.

For SWAP events, the following tunneling initiatives are considered:

• ZID internal arrivals capped at FL220 from ZDC
• RDU/CLT/GSO arrivals off of the DC Metros capped at or below FL220
• DC Metro PALEO departures capped at or below 170 to ISP
• North Low Playbook capping ZDC to ZBW destinations at 170 via JERES
• PHL departures via DQO offload and through PCT at 100 until west of BAL
• PHL PHLYER routes south via OOD are tunneled at 080 with expectations of climb south of SBY
• CLT MERIL departures to the DC Metros capped at or below FL230

For seasonal volume and other special traffic events, the following initiatives are considered:

• PHL/PNE/TTN/ACY/WRI/ILG capped at or below FL350 from ZJX to ZDC
• ORF/RIC/CHO capped at or below FL330 from ZJX to ZDC
• N90 departures to RIC/ORF/PHF tunneled at or below 160
• Tobacco road departures to ZOB and ZID capped at or below FL220
• DC Metro departures via DAILY at or below FL340
• DC Metro arrivals from ZID at or below FL330
• DC Metro arrivals from ZOB at or below FL270

Finally, please note that in collaboration with PCT, ZDC is currently working on a LIMBO route for MOL/GVE departures.