Answers for Pilots

Dealing with airport security

Airport security has become a major issue in the aviation industry, as any air traveler will tell you. But security now extends far beyond the excruciating lines in the terminal building to certain considerations for the general aviation airport user. Separating regulation from recommendation can sometimes be frustrating and difficult. AOPA's Pilot Information Center has heard many airport security horror stories of late. Whether it is a new fee for a badge or a complete denial of access because of a security breach, one thing has become clear — the GA community will be dealing with security issues for the foreseeable future.

The line between regulation and recommendation is drawn by 14 CFR Part 139. This regulation mandates security for air-carrier airports. If the airport has commercial service, security is handled by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The airport sponsor, in connection with the TSA, develops a security plan that is approved and implemented. Security plans are airport specific and dictate security procedures at that airport, define the secure area, and possibly include information about badge requirements.

If the airport does not have commercial service or is not a so-called 139 airport (referring to Part 139 regulations), security is completely at the discretion of the airport sponsor. The TSA has repeatedly said that GA airports are too varied and not enough of a security threat to require additional security regulations. Instead, AOPA, in connection with the TSA, developed AOPA's Airport Watch. This is a neighborhood-watch type of initiative that encourages pilots and airport staff to be on the lookout for suspicious activity. A national hotline (866/GA-SECUR[E], or 427-3287) was established as a means to report unusual activity. The program has been highly successful because of the close-knit nature of the aviation community. You can read more about AOPA's Airport Watch online ( www.aopa.org/airportwatch/).

Instead of further burdening those airports not required to have a security plan, the TSA decided to issue a set of recommendations for GA airports. The recommendations were drafted by the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, of which AOPA is a prominent member, and implemented with relatively few changes by the TSA. The document was issued in May 2004 and is available online ( www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2004/04-2-087x_guidelines.pdf). AOPA has always encouraged pilots to use vigilance and common sense when it comes to security.

Membership Q&A

Answers to frequently asked questions about your AOPA membership

Q: I've been a member of AOPA for years and just got a mailing asking me to join. Why?

A: It sounds like we have you in our database two different ways. This can be caused by address or name variations. For example, you use both a work and a home address, or you sometimes use your legal name and other times a nickname. Although our computer system catches the majority of these duplicate listings, if you receive what appears to be an erroneous notice, please call AOPA Member Services at 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672) or send us an e-mail ( [email protected]) and we'll be happy to eliminate any duplicate records.

Q: How can I find out if the N number I want is already taken?

A: Visit AOPA's home page (www.aopa.org). Select Info Resources/FAQs under the members-only section in the left column and then choose Aviation Databases. From there, select Aircraft Registration Numbers. You'll be able to search by N number, serial number, year manufactured, city, state, zip code, manufacturer, or model name.

Q: Is AOPA Aviation AD&D a life insurance policy?

A: No, it is a supplemental aviation accidental death policy. It is designed specifically to provide protection when you are piloting, flying in a GA aircraft as a passenger, or instructing. With this guaranteed coverage, premiums don't increase as you age. There are no health questions, no rating restrictions, and no limitations or minimums on flight hours. To obtain coverage, call 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672) or visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/aviationadd.html).

Member Services contact information:

Phone: 800/USA-AOPA (872-2672), 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday
After hours: Renew your membership, reset your Web password, or enroll in Automatic Annual Renewal using our self-service touch-tone phone option.

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: Update your personal information, renew your membership, and much more by clicking on My AOPA in the left column of our home page.

AOPA Web resources

Cold-weather operations are discussed in detail in more than 26 aviation subject reports and AOPA Pilot and AOPA Flight Training magazine stories.
www.aopa.org/members/files/topics/winterfly.html