ANN: Fear Without Facts

The TSA warning regarding the possibility that al Qaeda terrorists may use general aviation or part 135 aircraft as weapons of mass deestruction is, on the surface, chilling. But it's a chill on two different levels. For those who fly general aviation, which would you rather do - go to the airport and be subject to special searches, long delays and possible grounding, or simply stay home and watch Discovery Flight? If you're a high-powered business executive who usually makes the round on charter flights, which would you rather do: Take the same search, delay and grounding chances (when the point of flying charter is to get their faster and on your own schedule instead of the airlines') or go commercial?

GAMA last week reported a 33% drop in deliveries during the first quarter of 2003 as compared to the first quarter of 2002. The general aviation end of the flight industry continues to languish in fear - justified or not - worries and restrictive government behavior on a scale never seen before. ANN applauds the efforts of GA and Sport Aviation advocates. But enough is enough. It's time for a million-pilot march on Washington. Perhaps a fly-in at College Park... no wait. It's closed because of the Washington ADIZ. Get the point?

FMI: www.aero-news.net

AOPA: Concerned About Generalizations

"AOPA fully supports heightened vigilance and has shown this commitment through the AOPA Airport Watch Program," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "However, we're very concerned about the sweeping generalizations in the DHS advisory that aren't necessarily accurate."

For example, the advisory states that a GA aircraft "loaded with explosives is the equivalent of a medium-sized truck bomb." That is far from reality for the majority of GA aircraft. The typical general aviation aircraft, particularly one that could be flown by a "less skilled pilot," can only carry several hundred pounds. The "medium-sized truck bomb" that killed six in the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 weighed 1,500 pounds.

Nevertheless, pilots should do their part and watch for persons loitering in areas with aircraft, aircraft with unusual modifications, persons who appear to be under stress or under the control of other persons, and persons loading unusual payload into aircraft.

FMI: www.aopa.org

EAA: "We Take Exception..."

EAA is taking exception to several of TSA’s points in the security advisory.  The advisory warns of potential domestic terrorist threats from al Quaida based upon an apparent planned airborne suicide attack on the U.S. Consulate in Pakistan.  However, comparing the use of a small airplane in a developing country to a threat on domestic soil is much different given the additional aviation security precautions already in place in this country.  In addition, TSA’s estimate that a small GA aircraft could carry the “equivalent of a medium-size truck bomb” is patently false.  The size and payload of a small aircraft falls far short of any medium-size truck.

TSA’s indication that charter aircraft are also at risk fails to consider new security measures already in place by charter operators, many similar to the new airline security procedures. In addition, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has reiterated many of the security measures already taken by the GA community to thwart possible terrorist activities using smaller aircraft.

EAA continues to communicate with federal officials, the media, and EAA members about maintaining a balanced perspective in the use and interpretation of these advisories. Continual vigilance by pilots and other airport personnel is critically important, but the facts remain that GA aircraft are not well suited to be used as weapons themselves and that  other modes of transportation have far better payloads, are much easier to obtain and operate, and are far less conspicuous.  As the government learns more about terrorist organizations and contemplates the possibility of terrorist threats from aviation sources, EAA continues to urge policy makers to measure their responses in context with all other available threats or methods of delivery.  Under no circumstances should general aviation be singled out as being a greater threat than other equally or more viable and available conveyances.

FMI: www.eaa.org

GAMA: Crying Wolf?

"The safety and security of general aviation aircraft is, always has been, and will continue to be our members' number one priority," said GAMA President Ed Bolen. "It is our understanding the alert is not based on new information. Rather it is a reminder that, despite reduced threat levels and the conclusion of major military action in Iraq and Afghanistan, we need to remain vigilant. We will remain proactive in our cooperation with law enforcement and in the education of the general aviation community."

Since the September 11 attacks, GAMA and other general aviation associations have been working closely with the federal government to enhance security. The following are examples of how general aviation has changed over the past 18 months:

The FAA now requires that pilots carry a government-issued photo ID along with their pilot's license whenever they operate an aircraft.

Airport Watch programs have been established at general aviation airports, and details about the program have been mailed to every active pilot in the U.S. TSA staffs a toll-free hotline - 866-GASECURE (866-427-3287) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for reporting suspicious activity at general aviation airports.

The federal government is combing the FAA's Airmen and Aircraft registries for persons believed to be a security risk.

New security procedures, including passenger screening, have been mandated by the TSA for charter operations involving aircraft weighing more than 12,500 lbs.

All non-U.S. citizens seeking flight training in the U.S. on aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds must first undergo a Department of Justice background check.

Foreign registered general aviation aircraft must be approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and submit a complete passenger manifest before they are allowed to enter the United States.

To prevent money laundering, companies that sell new or used airplanes follow new industry guidelines developed by GAMA to ensure the identity of aircraft purchasers is verified and suspicious financial transactions are reported.

FMI: www.GAMA.aero

NATA: Outraged!

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) today reacted with outrage at a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Advisory warning the general aviation community against planned al-Qaida terrorist attacks using "light aircraft."  The Advisory was dated May 1.

"The Advisory is fundamentally flawed.  It includes obvious errors and unjustified pseudo-threats about general aviation operations and, in particular, charter operations," stated NATA president James Coyne.  "I am mystified by how DHS officials would allow such a document to be released.  It represents an egregious abuse of government authority."

"For the past year and a half, we have devoted an extraordinary amount of time and energy to work with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and educate them about our industry and how it works," continued Coyne.  "This Advisory makes it abundantly clear that the TSA has not been listening to what we have been saying and doing all this time.  This Advisory is an outrageous insult to everyone in this industry." 

In a sharply-worded letter to Asa Hutchinson, Under Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Coyne wrote:  "Quite simply, the Advisory presents an irresponsible picture of the U.S. air charter and general aviation industry.  Further, it demonstrates the inability of government officials to distinguish between private, non-commercial flight operations and those of certificated commercial air charter operators subject to TSA security regulations.

"In scores of public and private security-related meetings attended by NATA staff over the previous 20 months, officials have consistently stated that the federal government is unaware of any specific or credible threat involving the use of a private non-commercial general aviation aircraft or, especially, a commercial air charter aircraft as a terrorist tool.  In fact, this Advisory was issued the very same day TSA general aviation security officials were in a secured meeting with industry and those officials made absolutely no mention of any security threat prompting this Advisory."

FMI: www.nata-online-org