Resavage Points Out GA's Important Role
Helicopter Association
International (HAI) President Roy Resavage submitted testimony to
the House Aviation Subcommittee for the record concerning the
re-opening of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to
general aviation, including private and corporate aircraft. On
Tuesday, Chairman John Mica (R-FL) held a field hearing at DCA's
Signature Flight Support Services (general aviation terminal hangar
7). As ANN reported on Thursday, several industry groups offered
their respective testimony on the subject.
Authorization from the federal government to resume private and
corporate aircraft operations at DCA has been a priority of HAI
since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 when the
prohibition was placed in effect. As a member of the General
Aviation Coalition, HAI has worked to address and meet the security
concerns of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of
Defense (DOD), the Secret Service, and Congress.
Mr. Resavage's testimony pointed out the fact that "no general
aviation aircraft, including helicopters, have been used as weapons
by a terrorist organization," yet numerous actions affecting
general aviation have been taken by the federal government. Those
actions include, advanced screening of pilot databases, the
issuance of new airman certificates, a requirement for pilots to
carry photo IDs, restrictions for foreign pilots, and background
checks for certain flight training. His remarks submitted to the
Aviation Subcommittee recognized "the unique challenges that must
be considered when operating within the seat of our national
government," and Mr. Resavage offered solutions to mitigate
potential risks for the Subcommittee to consider.
On behalf of HAI member companies that formerly operated to and
from DCA, HAI pledged the civil rotorcraft industry's cooperation
in meeting and conforming to reasonable security requirements,
including in-house security inspections, the verification of
corporate flight crew and passenger manifests prior to departure
from the point of origin, the conduct of flights under Instrument
Flight Rules (IFR), and the use of ADS-B technology to allow
uninterrupted flight following.
HAI says a close working relationship exists between Roy
Resavage and the House Aviation Subcommittee, and the organization
will continue to represent the interests and concerns of the
industry before Congress. More information on the outcome of the
hearing will be posted on this website when the hearing has
concluded. Contact Ann Carroll, Director of Legislative Affairs for
additional information.