Pilots who lose radio contact after departing from an airport located within the Flight Restricted Zone (an inner ring extending 15 miles out from National Airport) may return to that airport if it is within five nautical miles. If neither condition applies, pilots must leave the Special Flight Rules Area by the most direct route. 

To improve safety, the FAA added a speed limit of 180 knots within the Special Flight Rules Area for aircraft flying under visual flight rules. This will complement the existing 230 knot speed limit for aircraft flying under visual flight rules in airspace extending 30 miles beyond the outer ring of the Special Flight Rules Area. 

The agency made several clarifications to make it easier for pilots to file flight plans and understand radio requirements. The FAA added a phone number (866-225-7410) for pilots to call to file flight plans for the Flight Restricted Zone. Pilots will be asked to use their confidential pilot identification codes or their waiver numbers. 

The FAA also clarified that aircraft flying within the Special Flight Rules Area must be equipped with a functioning two-way radio capable of communicating with controllers on the appropriate frequencies or UNICOM. The agency strongly recommends that pilots continuously monitor VHF frequency 121.5 or UHF frequency 243.0 for emergency instructions while flying in the Special Flight Rules Area.