Maryland Three Program (MD-3) Information

The Maryland Three Program (MD-3) 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; they include College Park Airport (CGS), Potomac Airfield (VKX) and Hyde Executive Field (W32). These airports are 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 or out of the Maryland Three airports must complete the process below: 

1.    Email a request for the PIN Issuance form to mdthree@tsa.dhs.gov or contact the Maryland Three Airport you would like to operate from. 

2.   Email the following documents to the MD-3 Program at mdthree@tsa.dhs.gov: 

• TSA Form 418 - Maryland Three PIN Application*
• SFRA Training Certificate
• FAA Airmen Certificate*
• FAA Medical Certificate*
• One form of government-issued picture identification; i.e., driver's license*

*The address on the TSA Form 418, FAA Airmen Certificate and FAA Medical Certificate should match the address on your government-issued picture identification. 

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

It is imperative you choose which airport you want to use for purposes of accessing the FRZ. You will be able to use all three airports within the Maryland Three; however one must be selected as a "base." 

As a PIN applicant, you will receive an email from the MD-3 Program once the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) vetting portion of the application has been completed. The email message will also be sent to the airport manager of your choice. 

1.    Enroll for a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) and visit an authorized Fingerprint Technician to have your fingerprints collected. (Click here for the MD-3 Fingerprint Guide) Be sure to bring your Fingerprint Control Form, as issued during the enrollment process, and an acceptable form of government-issued photo identification with you. The Fingerprint Technician will 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:

• Driver's license issued by a U.S. state
• U.S. passport
• 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. You or the 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 which are not complete, or do not contain the correct authorizing signatures, may be returned. 
 
TSA is working with NATA Compliance Services (NATA CS) to facilitate completion of MD-3 applicant background checks. Contact the NATA CS help desk at +1.703.842.5317 between the hours of 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM Eastern, Monday - Friday for more information. 

Update July 3, 2024: Hyde Executive Field (W32) has permanently closed. The program name will remain unchanged.