September 11 -- As people across the country and the world gather at memorials and ceremonies to reflect on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, one means of remembrance will be written in the sky.
Flights headed toward Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport today will likely be using procedures and waypoints that commemorate the victims of 9/11 and honor U.S. soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Aircraft flying in from the northwest will use the FRDMM arrival, which will take them over waypoints “WEEEE,” “WLLLL,” “NEVVR,” “FORGT” and “SEP11.”
Flights from the southwest, will use the TRUPS arrival and cross waypoints “USAAY,” “WEEDU,” “SUPRT,” “OOURR” and “TRUPS.”
Depending on the runway configuration, aircraft might pass through waypoints named “STAND” and “TOGETHER,” or “LETZZ,” “RLLLL,” “VCTRY” and “HEROO.”
The procedures are part of the FAA's Metroplex initiative, which is creating satellite-based procedures to bring greater efficiency to the airspace over several metropolitan areas around the country.
Lest We Forget.