AOPA testifies against proposed Maryland GA task force

AOPA testified Tuesday before the Maryland House of Delegates in opposition to a bill that would establish a security task force to study general aviation issues. Under House Bill 1160, sponsored by Delegate Darryl Kelley, the task force would be required to examine environmental problems, including any problems with low-flying aircraft; safety and land-use compatibility questions; security issues; the monitoring of flight schools; and the recording of operations at airports. In his oral testimony, AOPA Manager of Regional Affairs Owen Sweeney noted that "studying land-use, safety, and environmental issues is generally a local issue" and that security issues "are under the jurisdiction of the FAA and TSA." Sweeney further noted that the Government Accountability Office, in a November 2004 report, concluded that GA aircraft are "unattractive to terrorists."

March 18, 2005