Follows Request Made At January 6 TSA Hearing

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) joined other general aviation associations Thursday in requesting that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) establish a rule-making committee to address questions and concerns raised by industry and government about the TSA's proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP).

NBAA made the request in a letter sent to TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides. The letter, available at the first FMI link below, is co-signed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

In the letter, the signatories state: "Given the [LASP] proposal’s substantial lack of data regarding the effect of this program on general aviation, and TSA’s numerous requests for critical information from the public, we are formally requesting that TSA begin the steps necessary to establish a rulemaking committee. Creation of a dedicated workgroup would allow industry and the TSA to work together on requirements that would simultaneously enhance general aviation security and facilitate general aviation operations."

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen first requested the formation of such a committee at a January 6 TSA hearing for industry comment on the LASP held in White Plains, NY. "Business aviation is an important industry, security is an important objective, and we deserve that kind of dialogue,” Bolen said at the White Plains hearing.

After signing the letter Thursday, Bolen observed: "The business aviation community is committed to security, and as we work toward a final rule, we need to get this right. I look forward to working with TSA officials on the formation of a rulemaking committee, so that we can effectively address the questions and concerns that have been raised."

The Transportation Security Administration is accepting public comment on the proposed rule until February 27. In recent comments, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano acknowledged the concerns raised by general aviation, but did not indicate what action the TSA might take to address the concerns.

FMI: Read The Letter (.pdf), www.nbaa.org/lasp