Bill Would Re-Examine Large Aircraft Security Program

The NBAA has welcomed a congressional proposal that would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work more closely with the general aviation industry on its controversial proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) and other security initiatives.

Representative Charlie Dent (R-15-PA) introduced legislation that would require TSA to create a rulemaking committee with GA industry stakeholders when developing security measures for the industry. H.R. 3093 was cosponsored by eight other House members.

"This legislation shows that Congress understands that we can accomplish more good if we work together rather than separately," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. In the time since the TSA introduced the LASP last October, Bolen has repeatedly called for a rulemaking committee like the one envisioned in the legislation introduced today.

"The business aviation community has a long and demonstrated history of partnership with government in developing effective yet workable security measures for the industry," Bolen added. "A rulemaking committee, like the one proposed by Rep. Dent and others, would provide a consistent forum for stakeholder information sharing and the development of measures that enhance security while recognizing the need for mobility and flexibility."

More than 7,000 comments were submitted to the TSA in February regarding the LASP proposal. Almost all of the comments suggested that the proposed changes would be onerous to the thousands of businesses that rely on GA aircraft.

FMI: www.nbaa.org