Some Like It, Some Say It Could Have Been Worse

How does the aviation industry react to the TSA's recommendations on GA airport security?

GAMA

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) applauded the release of general aviation security guidelines by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This "Information Publication", released after months of industry working with the TSA, is designed to establish non-regulatory guidelines for general aviation airport security.

"The release of this publication reflects a growing realization that information is a primary weapon in the war on terrorism. TSA understands that the best security practices come from working with people in the field. By working cooperatively with industry in an information sharing environment, we have done far more today than would have been accomplished by either the TSA or industry working alone," said GAMA President & CEO Ed Bolen.

AOPA

"AOPA worked long and hard to make sure TSA made the guidelines relevant to general aviation – that they didn’t apply airline airport security to GA," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Now that the federal guidelines are out, it’s crucial that decisions by state and local authorities reflect the guidelines and are appropriate to each GA airport’s individual situation."

The TSA guidelines state several times that they are not regulatory. The suggestions contained in the document are not mandated changes. The intent, the agency says, is to provide uniform, federally backed guidelines that give airport managers and sponsors a consistent way to evaluate their security needs. "Both TSA and the GA community agree that a single approach to security will not cover the spectrum of the nation’s GA airports," said TSA Acting Administrator Adm. David Stone.

AOPA is concerned about how the guidelines might be interpreted and implemented locally. Specifically, there are two appendices that assess security characteristics of airports and offer suggestions for security enhancements. The IP itself notes, "Airport owners and operators should rely on their experience and intimate knowledge of their facility, applying those items that are both reasonable and effective."

"AOPA will watch closely to see how the guidelines are implemented," said Boyer. "The very credibility of the TSA guidelines is at stake."

EAA

EAA has been reviewing and will continue to review the impact of the guidelines released by TSA on sport and recreational flight activities, but generally we appreciate TSA's desire to supply a measure of nationwide consistency to the dialogue being undertaken by states, municipalities, and airport operators who have been seeking some type of guidance as they develop airport-specific security plans.

That being said, the value of the document can only be measured by the level of common sense applied to its application in the field.  EAA will continue its efforts to ensure that any security guidelines and their implementation strike an appropriate balance between necessary security and the freedom of personal flight.

EAA is pleased that TSA recognized that there are an infinite variety of general aviation landing facilities in the US, and that security enhancements cannot be implemented with a single standard or set of standards and must be consistent with available resources.  TSA is to be applauded for using that common-sense approach.  EAA is pleased it could provide input at a number of levels throughout the process, and will continue to do so on specific issues regarding these guidelines.

NBAA

NBAA appeared to be still formulating its response to the new TSA guidelines at the time this edition of ANN was published.

FMI: TSA GA Security Guidelines