Association Applauds TSA Action To Reopen DC-3

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) issued a statement on Friday welcoming a ruling from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that re-opens three general aviation airports in the Washington region to "transient" aircraft, which are aircraft based outside the Washington, DC, area.

"NBAA believes the TSA's ruling represents a positive step in restoring access to the Washington region for general aviation aircraft operators," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "In lifting the restrictions at the airports, TSA has recognized that security protections for general aviation must take economic considerations and personal liberties into account. NBAA will continue working with TSA to develop an even more streamlined and manageable set of general aviation security requirements that apply to airports and airspace in Washington and across the country."

The airports affected by TSA's ruling are located in Maryland, and include College Park Airport (CGS), Potomac Airfield (VKX), and Washington Executive/Hyde Field (W32). The facilities were closed to all aircraft traffic following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In February 2002, the airports were reopened only to aircraft based at the three airfields.

The TSA's rule, issued Thursday and effective February 13, requires enhanced security procedures for pilots of transient aircraft that are already in place for pilots based at the airports. The security measures include, but are not limited to, background checks, fingerprint tests, criminal history checks, aircraft registration, and submission of flight plans.

(Ed: The sole TFR in today's edition, below, implements the TSA ruling. - JJ)

FMI: www.nbaa.org