Critics Worry McGreevey's Plan Will Choke GA

Worried that general aviation aircraft could be turned into terror weapons, New Jersey Gov. James E. McGreevey (below) has ordered a series of measures to strengthen security at New Jersey's 47 small general-aviation airports.

Airport managers said the improvements seem reasonable and relatively easy to implement. But they also questioned how much the upgrades would cost and who would pick up the bill. The Governor's Office did not disclose a funding plan.

McGreevey spokesman Micah Rasmussen said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks tragically showed that airplanes can cause mass destruction if they fall into the wrong hands.

"It's an important part of homeland security to protect our airplanes and make sure our airplanes are not used as an instrument of destruction," he said.

The McGreevey administration said small airports are more vulnerable to terrorism than larger airports because they often have only limited security and lack air traffic control towers to monitor takeoffs and landings.

Beefing Up The Locks

Among McGreevey's new security improvements:

• GA aircraft parked on airport ramps or kept in storage for more than 24 hours would have to use a two-lock system to prevent theft. Locks would be placed on doors and another key part of the aircraft, such as the wheels or propellers. There are currently no federal or state regulations that require small planes to have locks, the Governor's Office said.
• McGreevey also wants airport owners to install surveillance cameras to monitor sensitive areas of their facilities.
• Airport managers will carry cell phones and pagers linked directly to state and federal aviation authorities.
• Large signs will be installed to provide pilots and the public with the telephone numbers of the airport owner, the police and other authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Jersey Division of Aeronautics.

Reasonable, But Perhaps Overblown?

Praising McGreevey's plan as "pretty reasonable," the president of South Jersey Air said airports should have little or no difficulty implementing the security improvements. However, James J. Toland argued that small planes should not be considered a serious tool for terrorists. He said they are too small for attacks on large targets like skyscrapers or nuclear plants.

"It wasn't general aviation planes that were used for the attacks on 9-11. It was a huge jetliner that rammed the World Trade Center," he said.

"A little plane would literally bounce off a nuclear reactor. You couldn't pack enough explosive on a general aviation plane that would scratch the concrete on a reactor," he added.

Toland's South Jersey Air operates the city-owned Bader Field airport in Atlantic City. His company also operated the Woodbine Municipal Airport before the facility's management recently was taken over by a government agency.

Toland said he already uses locks on the two planes owned by his company. He fears that pilots will be forced to pay for new locks to comply with McGreevey's directive.

Who Gets The Tab?

William R. Colangelo, general manager of Ocean City Municipal Airport, said he has already spoken to state aviation officials about installing surveillance cameras. At this point, it is not certain whether the state would pay for the cameras, he said.

Colangelo explained that Ocean City's airport is protected by a secure gate and regular police patrols. He endorsed McGreevey's security plan, noting that no community is completely immune to the possibility of terrorism.

"I guess it could happen anywhere," he said.

McGreevey's security initiative stems from the recommendations of a state task force headed by Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere. Earlier in the week, Lettiere and the governor implemented tighter security for the state's large commercial airports, rail lines and highways.

"The Department of Transportation is working around the clock to keep our citizens and transportation network safe," Lettiere said in a statement.

FMI: www.state.nj.us/governor