Maryland Three (MD-3) Program

The Maryland-Three Program allows properly vetted private pilots to fly to, from, or between the three general aviation airports closest to the National Capital Region. These airports are collectively known as the "Maryland Three" airports, and include College Park Airport (CGS), Potomac Airfield (VKX) and Hyde Executive Field (W32). These airports are all within the Washington, D.C. Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) and the Washington, D.C. Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ.)

All pilots wishing to operate in to or out of the Maryland Three airports must complete the process below.

Email request for PIN Issuance form to mdthree@tsa.dhs.gov or contact the Maryland Three Airport you would like to operate from.
Email the following documents to the Maryland Three Program at mdthree@tsa.dhs.gov
- TSA Form 418 – Maryland Three PIN application*
- SFRA Training certificate
- FAA Airman certificate*
- FAA Medical certificate*
- One form of Government-issued picture identification; i.e., driver’s license*
*The address on the TSA Form 418, FAA Airman Certificate and FAA Medical certificate should match the address on your Government-issued picture identification.

Most requests submitted Monday – Friday (between 7:30am and 4:00pm EST) should be responded to within 48 hours. If your information is submitted after 4:00pm EST on Friday or over the weekend, you should receive a response within 48 hours from 7:30am EST on Monday.

It is imperative that the applicant chooses which airport he/she wants to use for purposes of accessing the FRZ. The applicant will be able to use all three airports within the Maryland Three; however one must be selected as a “base”.

The PIN applicant will receive an email from the Maryland Three Program once FSDO vetting portion of the application has been completed. The email message will also be sent to the airport manager of the applicant’s choice.
Enroll for a Criminal History Background Check (CHRC) and then visit an authorized Fingerprint Technician to have your fingerprints collected. (Click here for MD-3 Fingerprint Guide) Be sure to bring your Fingerprint Control Form as issued during the enrollment process and also bring an acceptable form of government issued photo identification. The Fingerprint Technician will then take your fingerprints and complete the appropriate sections of the PIN issuance form.

Acceptable forms of government issued photo I.D. include, but are not limited to:
- A Drivers License issued by a U.S. State
- A U.S. Passport
- A U.S. Military ID
After reviewing the security briefing material at the airport for which you are applying, complete the signature section of the PIN issuance form and return it to the Airport Security Coordinator (ASC). The ASC must also complete the ASC signature section. The applicant or ASC must email the form to MDthree@tsa.dhs.gov.
The application will be processed once the form is completed and received by TSA. Please note that applications that are not complete or do not contain the correct authorizing signatures may be returned.
TSA is working with NATA Compliance Services (NATACS) to facilitate completion of the MD-3 applicant background checks. Applicants should contact NATACS help desk at 800-788-3210 between the hours of 7:00 am - 10:00 pm EST, Monday - Friday for more information.

Enroll for a Criminal History Background Check

All MD-3 applicants are required to pass a Criminal History Background Check (CHRC) before being authorized to operate into or out of the Maryland Three airports. NATA Compliance Services (NATACS) can help you comply with the MD-3 Program. The following link is a TSA guide on how to complete the fingerprinting process for the CHRC with NATACS.

MD-3 Fingerprint Guide

Start the process by selecting the "Click Here To Get Started" button below. You will be asked to choose between being fingerprinted by either a NATACS Authorized Fingerprint Technician or by a Law Enforcement Officer. If you choose to be fingerprinted by a NATACS Authorized Fingerprint Technician, you will need to choose a specific technician from those listed in your area. You will then complete an online form providing demographic data necessary for the CHRC. You will then pay online upfront for the fingerprinting and CHRC using a credit card. Finally, you will be issued a Fingerprint Control Form, which you will need to present to the Fingerprinting Technician. You can print the form out from this website after enrolling and/or have the form sent to your email address.

If you use a NATACS Authorized Fingerprint Technician, you will be charged $64.50 which includes both the fingerprint collection and the CHRC. If you use a Law Enforcement Officer, you will be charged $29.50 which includes the CHRC only without any fingerprint collection fees. Please note that the Law Enforcement Officer may charge additional fees for fingerprint collection.