At a United States Senate hearing on general aviation security and operations Thursday, NATA President James K. Coyne discussed the efforts NATA has made to improve general aviation security since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as the difficulties the industry has faced resulting from ineffective and burdensome security restrictions imposed by the federal government.

Testifying before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, chaired by Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), Coyne noted the successful participation of NATA members in the government-sponsored Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP), a security program certified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or more. He also described the difficulties program participants face in getting proper recognition for complying with the program’s often-expensive requirements.

“These Twelve-Five operators have invested thousands of dollars and man-hours to comply with security mandates and yet are treated exactly the same as operators without security programs… NATA believes that non-scheduled carriers in compliance with a TSA-approved security program should receive similar airspace and access benefits as the scheduled carriers,” Coyne stated.

Coyne also took the opportunity to detail the struggles non-scheduled operators face when the government issues temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) around a particular area, which usually closes to general aviation any airport in the range of the TFR. He mentioned the success NATA has had in obtaining permission for cargo-only operators participating in the TFSSP to take off and land in airspace restricted by a TFR. Coyne called on Congress to expand the policy to include passenger aircraft participating in the program as well.

Coyne praised the Department of Homeland Security’s recent decision to implement a program allowing for the resumption of non-scheduled operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and thanked officials both in the Congress and the Administration for their efforts to bring back general aviation to the airport. “I am enthusiastically looking forward to this Labor Day, when Signature Flight Support begins to welcome its first charter and business aircraft in nearly four years,” Coyne said in his statement.

While praising the decision to reopen DCA, Coyne also voiced some concerns about the potential cost to comply with the requirements necessary to fly into and out of DCA. Coyne argued that the provision requiring an armed Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) should be expanded to allow local law enforcement aboard the aircraft. He asserted that by broadening the pool of qualified LEOs aircraft operators would more readily find officers to accompany the flights while not lessening the security of the overall operation. Coyne stated, “There is no reason why local LEOs cannot be counted on to perform the same tasks as federally trained officers on these operations. Armed law enforcement officials are considered one of the last lines of defense on these flights, and offering a wider pool from which to find qualified officers benefits both the operator and the government.”

In regards to the compensation of a potential LEO, Coyne asked that the Department of Homeland Security share at least partial responsibility for compensating the officer. “The association feels that placing the burden for compensating these officials on aviation businesses will undoubtedly serve as a deterrent for using the airport. The federal government should take responsibility for this compensation, as it is an issue of both local and national security. The costs associated with paying for an armed officer for what could amount to a significant period of time will make it quite difficult for many air carriers to participate in the program. NATA notes that scheduled airlines are not required to pay a specific fee when LEOs serve on their flights.”

Coyne concluded by declaring his desire for as many qualified operators as possible to use DCA and called on the Department to ensure that the security requirements do not act as a deterrent for using the airport.

FMI: www.nata.aero