The CBS reporter who worked last week's Anti-GA story on small airport security has responded to an e-mail sent him by ANN's Editor-In-Chief. His response is included below for everyone's consideration. CBS' Bob Orr gave ANN his phone number and we are pursuing the possibility of an interview in order to get more insight into how last week's story came together as well as the dialogue he advocates. We'll keep you apprised.

Orr's E-Mail

...I'm sure you're aware that I have been thoroughly castigated by AOPA members for a story that was completely about the GOVERNMENT'S responsibilities in protecting our national air space and security.

We're confident the story was factual, fair, and in context (when you consider we've done scores of reports since 9/11 about commercial aviation vulnerabilities and this ONE regarding general aviation). There's little doubt commercial jetliners and large metro airports are more likely to be targeted by terrorists than a Cessna sitting on an FBO tarmac in Iowa. But, since the mid 1990's terrorists have shown a continuing interest in using small planes to deliver explosives and/or chem-bio weapons. After 9/11 we cannot afford to assume that anything is safe.

The bottom line is the government has STUDIED the challenge of securing some 19-thousand diverse airfields, but to this point has relied on VOLUNTARY measures such as "Airport Watch" to provide the security. Now, I realize a number of aircraft owners and operatives don't want any more government regulations to go along with all of those bothersome flight restrictions.

But, I would maintain, now is the time to have an honest discussion about reasonable steps to make GA uniformly safer and more secure. I don't think any of us want to wait until after something happens. I'm not predicting an attack involving GA aircraft, and in fact, I pray that never occurs. But, that doesn't mean we should completely disregard any terror possibility no matter how small it might be or how irritating the report is to any particular sector, group, or association.

I'm sorry this story has stirred up so many hard feelings. That was never the intention. At the same time, I think the uproar is a bit overdone.

It's my hope now that some of the energies being spent in this debate over journalism might be applied to finding workable, affordable security solutions we can all live with.

Sincerely, Bob Orr

FMI: www.cbs.com