Administration Officials Take Another Look At Allowing Biz-Av Back At Reagan National

As late as last week, Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) was confident that Reagan National Airport in Washington would be reopened to business and charter aviation. "I think Homeland Security has signed off on it. I think we're very close to having it open again for private aircraft. I'm very pleased about that." Graves told ANN he thought DCA might reopen to GA aircraft within "the next couple of months."

But after Wednesday's incursion deep into the Washington ADIZ by a Cessna 150K -- an aircraft that came within three miles of the White House before being turned away -- that sort of optimism has been all but dashed. "These incidents should give pause to the whole question of reopening National Airport to small planes," an administration official who spoke on the condition of anonymity told the Washington Post. "Certainly a high-profile incident does not help the case."

Wednesday's incursion forced the evacuation of the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court. Government leaders were hustled to undisclosed locations. Foreign dignitaries were whisked away in armored SUVs and limousines.

"In light of significant security concerns about general aviation in the national capital region, Homeland Security continues to work to finalize a security plan for Reagan National Airport," agency spokesman Brian Roehrkasse told the Post.

It's the sort of talk that frustrates general aviation and business aviation advocates.

"I'm sometimes the unluckiest guy on the planet," NATA President Jim Coyne told the Washington newspaper. "The people who have a hysterically overcautious mind-set have got us to where we are today. That cautiousness is clearly going to be fostered by this incident."

FMI: www.nata.aero