Upset With Political, Economic Entities In San Diego Override Efforts Of Federal Security Agency

EAA is warning that a dangerous precedent is being set this week in the airspace over San Diego, Calif., as local officials override federal jurisdiction during Super Bowl XXXVII on Jan. 26. Setting aside security expertise within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), San Diego officials pressured the White House to implement a general aviation no-fly zone in a seven-mile radius of Qualcomm Stadium, the site of Sunday's NFL championship game.  The ban, which extends upward to 18,000 feet above sea level, means that all blimp and banner-towing operations are prohibited from operating from 11 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time) until 8 p.m. (PST) on Jan. 26.  The ban also closes Montgomery Field, a major general-aviation airport in San Diego, during that period.

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge approved the no-fly zone Jan. 17.  Ironically, while general aviation flights will be prohibited, large commercial airliners will continue to fly from Lindbergh Field, which is well within the seven-mile restricted zone.

"There are many disturbing factors in the creation of this no-fly zone," said Earl Lawrence (below, right), EAA Vice President of Government and Industry Programs. "First is the notion that local officials can continue to leapfrog through the federal government, until they find a level that overrides the agencies created by Congress to have authority over airspace and transportation security. 

"Secondly, general aviation entities that have worked with federal officials to follow all security regulations are now left out in the cold, with no hope of recovering lost revenue. EAA is also concerned that general aviation is sent to the sidelines again by local officials, while federal agencies that have specific authority on aviation issues do not have the full opportunity to use their expertise."

General aviation did receive good news when the size of the Super Bowl no-fly zone and the duration of the restriction were announced, as severe weeklong restrictions covering a much wider area were among the initial proposals. The final determination, however, reversed direction on some security measures already underway.

Banner-towing operators, for instance, had been continually assured that they would be able to fly over Qualcomm Stadium on Jan. 26. Those operations had been willing to submit to a stringent list of security procedures, including police inspection of aircraft just prior to takeoff.  The banner-towing operations had prepared for the game upon receiving those regular assurances.

EAA, as well as other organizations, have continually fought measures brought by local officials, professional sports leagues and major colleges to ban general aviation overflights of their facilities. That includes federal legislation introduced to place a blanket prohibition on general aviation, but not commercial airline or military flights, over those large outdoor assemblies. 

EAA remains alarmed by a behind-the-scenes effort by major sporting organizations over the past decade. Those organizations have sought control of the airspace over sporting events because they cannot control the advertising or environment over the event, similar to the exclusive rights they may sell and maintain in all other areas in and around the event's location. 

"It's very easy for local officials to protect themselves by using the 'security blanket' technique - urging a prohibition on general aviation operations whether or not there is any evidence that any threat actually exists," Lawrence said. 

"This issue is not going to go away for general aviation.  Legitimate security concerns are one thing, but using them as a cover when the real issues may be economic is inexcusable. General aviation pilots, business and organizations must continue to educate local officials on what GA is ... and what it is not."

FMI: www.eaa.org, www.superbowl.com, www.faa.gov