But What About That Ridiculous Washington ADIZ?

Do you feel a little less threatened? The Federal government reduced the terrorist threat level from "orange" to "yellow," (otherwise known as an "elevated risk of terrorist attack"). The Department of Homeland Security said that the decision was based on careful review of the specific intelligence that had first led to raising the level on February 7, new counter-terrorism measures, and the end of the Hajj, a Muslim religious period.

While changing the threat level doesn't directly affect pilot operations in most parts of the nation, pilots are still urged to remain vigilant for suspicious activities at airports. A number fo aviation association are already wondering how this effects us... especially in regards to the expanded airspace restrictions ostensibly created due to the previously increased threat level. In other words, what about that ponderous Aviation Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) around the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., established on February 10; and the 10 nautical-mile temporary flight restrictions that follow movement of President Bush? Hmmmm????

Statements issued Thursday by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Attorney General John Ashcroft read, "Returning to the elevated level of risk is only an indication that some of the extra protective measures enacted by government and the private sector may be reduced at this time."

This has apparently sent the signal throughout the government that only some, but not all, of the new restrictions and security measures can be removed or reduced. Allegedly; some within the TSA and FAA have indicated that this is really a period of "yellow-plus" activity and that it is only a matter of time before the threat level is elevated again due to tensions in Iraq (like the onset of hostilities that may come as early as a few days, according to a number of sources).

AOPA Weighs In

In the Washington, D.C., area, AOPA has already contacted high-ranking FAA and TSA officials to urge suspension of the Washington Air Defense Identification Zone.

"The government used the 'orange' threat level as justification for implementing the ADIZ," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Now that the threat has been reduced, so should the airspace restrictions."

EAA: Concerned Flt Restrictions May Remain

The U.S. government announced today, February 27, it would lower the nation's terror alert status from orange, or high risk, to yellow, or elevated risk after declaring a decreased threat level for terrorist activity.

EAA learned Thursday afternoon that no action on airspace would be taken today, but that inter-agency meetings will take place Friday, where these issues will be discussed. EAA is deeply concerned that the orange security threat level was used to justify expanded airspace restrictions, but now, as the threat level is being reduced, the restrictions will remain in place.

"There was a certain level of tolerance by the general aviation community when the threat level was raised to orange," said EAA President Tom Poberezny. "But as the nation moves back to yellow status, we fully expect the additional restrictions will be reduced to where they were before. Despite the Administration's threat level reduction, there is a general sense throughout the government that we really have not fully returned to yellow."

FMI: www.tsa.gov. www.faa.gov, www.aopa.org, www.eaa.org