Government Report Praises Government, Industry Efforts to Secure GA Airports
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report issued recently acknowledged the relative lack of threat from general aviation aircraft, and concluded that continued partnerships between the GA industry and the government — such as AOPA's Airport Watch program — are vital to the long-term security at the nation's nearly 19,000 GA landing facilities.
Titled "General Aviation Security: Increased Federal Oversight Is Needed but Continued Partnership With the Private Sector Is Critical to Long-Term Success," the report — the result of more than a year of study — says, "The public/private partnership has been strengthened...through the teaming of TSA [Transportation Security Administration] and general aviation industry associations," such as AOPA.
"This new GAO report confirms and adds validity to what AOPA and the GA industry have been saying ever since the September 11 attacks," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "General aviation airports are so numerous and so varied that a 'one size fits all' security plan is just not feasible."
The report concluded that there was no need for any specific physical security mandates at general aviation airports. Instead the GAO's conclusions call for systemic changes within and better oversight by the TSA and the FAA.
"The fact that several of the recommendations are either already in place or in the works shows that general aviation security is on the right track," said Boyer.
The report cited AOPA's Airport Watch program, which it noted had already been implemented at many of the airports GAO investigators visited. The association developed AOPA's Airport Watch in consultation with the TSA, which contributed the nationwide toll-free hotline 866/GA-SECUR[E] (866/427-3287), staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for pilots and airport personnel to report suspicious activity.
The report also noted that many pilots have already taken effective actions to prevent unauthorized use of their aircraft, such as using prop or throttle locks, or locking their aircraft in hangars.
The GAO report chided the FAA for not developing a standardized, documented way to review and revalidate security-related temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) in order to determine their effectiveness and whether they are still needed.
"When all is said and done, this is a very positive report for general aviation," said Boyer. "It proves that our approach — a cooperative effort that draws on the government's security expertise and the GA industry's aviation expertise — is the best approach for making sure terrorists won't be able to use our world-class general aviation system against us."
NATIONAL ACTION
AOPA Tells TSA, 'Beware of Unintended Consequences'
When the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued its proposal for air-cargo security, AOPA warned that it may have harmful, unintended consequences on general aviation. Based on the association's analysis of the proposal, the rule could make it harder for GA pilots to get to their aircraft parked at the general aviation ramp at some airports.
"We were concerned that the rules, as drafted, could be interpreted to mean that the general aviation ramps at air-carrier airports would have to be included in the airport security identification display area [SIDA]," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. "That means pilots would be subject to a criminal history check and need an airport-issued security ID to get to their aircraft."
In its comments on the proposed regulations, AOPA said that the emphasis of existing airport design and approved security programs have been on physically separating air-carrier and scheduled air-cargo operations from general aviation. At almost all air-carrier airports, the GA ramp was designed to be outside the SIDA.
"General aviation areas are unique because individuals needing access to aircraft are generally not employees of companies based at the airport, but are individual pilots," AOPA told the TSA. The distance between the GA and air-carrier areas provides a sufficient layer of security. "This has proven to be an effective and efficient manner to control access at airports and manage operations," AOPA said.
"We strongly believe that the TSA must consider the impacts to general aviation operators at both TSA 1542 airports (with scheduled air-carrier operations) and non-air-carrier airports," Cebula said. "It is imperative that TSA allow flexibility to ensure that airports and operators are permitted to address the unique security needs of their facilities without unjustly hindering general aviation."
AOPA Clarifies Which Instructors are Required to Get TSA-Mandated Security Training
At AOPA's request, the Transportation Security Administration has clarified the part of the Alien Flight Training rule that required flight instructors to complete an online security-training course by January 18.
AOPA asked if even CFIs with expired certificates would be required to take the course. Officials replied that while all CFIs are encouraged to take the training, only CFIs who are current and actively training pilots in any capacity, including ground instruction, flight review, or other recurrency training, are required to undergo the training.
The TSA has told AOPA that it is more interested in compliance than enforcement, and wants CFIs who missed the deadline to take the course anyway.
AOPA Offers $25,000 Matching Donation for Tsunami Relief to GA-Based Aid Organization
As the scope of the tsunami devastation in Southeast Asia became known and pilots began asking, "What can I do to help?" AOPA began looking for the best way to answer that question.
It quickly became obvious that what was needed was financial support rather than piloting skills. AOPA identified a nonprofit humanitarian organization, Air Serv International ( www.airserv.org), that has been using a fleet of GA aircraft for more than 20 years to bring badly needed logistical support, equipment, and hope to millions of people in some of the harshest environments in the world. It provides aviation services to the international humanitarian community and direct aid during the most desperate crisis situations in the world (see " GA in Afghanistan," February Pilot).
"Air Serv International is in the midst of assisting in this disaster," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Their effort and other aviation efforts are a remarkable example of how GA airplanes and airports serve as a vital emergency link for people throughout the world.
"What a lot of people don't realize," he added, "is that, in many disasters, the first responders are often GA aircraft and airports."
AOPA established the AOPA Tsunami Fund, a restricted fund dedicated to the tsunami relief effort, with Air Serv International. "To stretch our limited member resources, the association pledged up to $25,000 to match member contributions in this time of worldwide support for the millions of tsunami victims," Boyer stated. Within three days our members had exceeded our matching goal and continued to contribute.
From Indonesia, where he was directing his organization's efforts at the time, Air Serv President and Chief Executive Officer Stuart Willcuts offered a word of thanks, saying, "We are, with the support of AOPA, making a difference!"
Members who wish to contribute to this aviation charity online should visit the Web site ( www.airserv.org/giveagift.html) to make their tax-deductible donations. Members and others may also pay by check. The check should be made out to "Air Serv International" and mailed to 6583 Merchant Place, Suite 100, Warrenton, Virginia 20187. Please be sure to write your AOPA membership number (or simply "AOPA" for nonmembers) on the check, but do not send your check to AOPA.
REGIONAL ACTION
AOPA Fights Effort to Close Pine Mountain's Airport in Georgia
When developers in Georgia moved to try to close Pine Mountain's Callaway Gardens-Harris County Airport so they could build a five-story hotel addition to the existing Callaway Gardens Resort, AOPA fought back. In a letter to the county commissioners, AOPA warned that they would risk legal trouble with the federal government and would be destroying a valuable community asset if they caved in to the request.
"What makes the Callaway Foundation proposal to close the airport almost surreal is that dozens of other communities, particularly those reliant on tourism, are literally competing to attract an on-site airport," said Roger Cohen, AOPA vice president of regional affairs. "For the county to consider destroying a 5,000-foot runway literally within three-wood distance of a world-class golf resort defies all economic logic."
It also would expose the county to federal action because the county has accepted federal grants to improve the publicly owned airport, which is a protected airport under the congressionally approved National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).
The developers had told the county that they could repay the federal grants, but AOPA set the record straight. "Federal grants to airports are not loans that can be repaid," Cohen wrote. "Repaying the money is not an option."
AOPA Member/Senator Introduces Airport Protection Bills in Minnesota
AOPA-supported airport-protection legislation has been introduced into the Minnesota legislature by state Sen. Michael Jungbauer (R-Dist. 48), an AOPA member. Jungbauer recently introduced two bills that would establish airport land use planning commissions and a model airport-zoning ordinance. Both would help stop incompatible development from threatening general aviation airports.
"The land use planning bill is modeled after California legislation, and it makes it much more difficult for unrestrained development to spring up around an airport," said Roger Cohen, AOPA vice president of regional affairs.
AOPA spoke with Jungbauer and his staff about protecting airports and suggested using California's legislation as a model.
The bill (S.F.0079) would require that Minnesota counties establish airport land use commissions that would be charged with coordinating "planning at the state, regional, and local levels to provide for the orderly development of air transportation, and protecting the public health, safety, and welfare" around general aviation airports. The resulting land use master plans would be used to set zoning around airports. Some commission members would be required to have aviation knowledge.
The airport land use planning commissions also would review any development plans or requests for zoning changes. If the commission disapproves the plan, the governing body would have to go through a public process to override the airport land use planning commission's decision.
The other bill (S.F.0080) directs the Minnesota Department of Transportation to develop a model zoning ordinance to regulate the height of objects around airports. Local governments would be required to adopt zoning regulations that would conform to FAA obstruction standards.
MEMBERSHIP ACTION
AOPA, MBNA Return $15 Million to Members with the FBO Rebate Program
AOPA member Gary Phillips holds a unique place among his fellow members. He received a rebate from his credit card company that included the 15-millionth dollar returned to members in the AOPA 5% FBO Rebate Program. Phillips, an aircraft owner, uses the card primarily for fuel and maintenance charges. He says he finds the online rebate claim process through MBNA's NetAccess Web site an easy way to submit charges for rebate.
AOPA members who carry the AOPA FBO Rebate credit card, issued by AOPA Member Products partner MBNA America Bank, N.A., receive 5-percent credit rebates on their first $5,000 of qualifying purchases from participating FBOs each year (up to $250 in rebates annually). That could be used for products or services ranging from charts and pilot supplies to fuel and aircraft maintenance. In addition, there's no limit to the savings at Sporty's Pilot Shop ( www.sportys.com). Sporty's offers an instant 5-percent discount on almost all purchases paid for with the AOPA credit card.
The program is growing rapidly in popularity. It took nearly six years for the program to rebate $10 million, but only a year and a half to rebate the next $5 million.
"By using the AOPA FBO Rebate card, or the AOPA WorldPointsSM or AOPA Rewards American Express cards, members are supporting AOPA's mission," said Karen Gebhart, AOPA's senior vice president of products and services. "Those small amounts add up quickly. Our members' participation in the AOPA credit card program generates revenue that allows us to fund special initiatives like AOPA's Airport Watch." But only the AOPA FBO Rebate card has the rebate that directly reduces the cost of flying for pilots.
For more information, or to sign up for AOPA credit cards, visit the Web site ( www.aopa.org/info/creditcard/).
AOPA to Once Again Host AOPA Day at Sun 'n Fun
AOPA members planning to attend this year's Sun 'n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida, from April 12 through 18 can once again look forward to a special AOPA Day, held this year on Friday, April 15.
Outside the AOPA tent, AOPA members and other visitors will get to check out the progress on the grand prize in this year's AOPA Commander Countdown Sweepstakes, a 1974 Rockwell Commander 112A complete with Chelton FlightLogic glass cockpit. To keep track of the restoration project, visit the Commander Countdown Sweepstakes Web site ( www.aopa.org/sweeps/). Anyone who joins or renews membership in AOPA during 2005 is automatically entered. Complete rules, eligibility requirements, and alternate methods of entry are available online ( www.aopa.org/sweeps/officialrules.html).
Inside the tent, there will be giveaways especially for AOPA members. In addition, members will have numerous opportunities to talk to AOPA President Phil Boyer and several of AOPA's senior staff, including AOPA Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg, Editor in Chief Thomas B. Haines and Editor at Large Thomas A. Horne from AOPA Pilot magazine, AOPA Director of Medical Certification Gary Crump, John Yodice, AOPA's general legal counsel, and representatives of the Aviation Services Department — the people who staff AOPA's Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA).
AOPA Day activities kick off the night before, on Thursday April 14, when Boyer will host a Pilot Town Meeting.
New Congress Brings New Challenges on Capitol Hill for AOPA
Now that the 109th Congress is in session, AOPA is facing a new challenge with the creation of a permanent Committee on Homeland Security. The new committee will have responsibility for oversight of the Transportation Security Administration.
"The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Rep. Don Young of Alaska, used to have responsibility for TSA," said Andy Cebula, AOPA senior vice president of government and technical affairs. "Chairman Young is a pilot from a state that depends on general aviation. He's a good friend of AOPA, so we had a sympathetic ear when we went to Congress with issues involving TSA.
"Our challenge now is to develop that kind of relationship with the key members and staff of this new committee."
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
ASF Adds TSA Training to FIRCs for 'One-Stop Shopping'
Flight instructors who attend the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's in-person Flight Instructor Refresher Clinics (FIRCs) receive an added bonus that fulfills their TSA-mandated security training while they attend their CFI refresher. The ASF FIRCs are the first FAA-sanctioned FIRCs to offer TSA-approved training that satisfies that agency's mandatory security training.
"We already had instructors seeking mandatory FAA recurrent training," said Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg. "It seems like an obvious solution to offer the mandatory TSA training at the same time. It means that flight instructors can turn to ASF as a 'one-stop shopping' source for their training needs."
Any flight instructor who is current and actively instructing is required to take the training. The TSA encourages all other flight instructors, whether their certificate is expired or they are current but not teaching at this time, to take the training. The Air Safety Foundation plans to continue offering the TSA training as part of the FIRCs for as long as necessary.
Helping Pilots Prepare for Spring's Increased Airport Activity
With the return of spring and better flying weather not far off, now might be a good time to start knocking off a winter's worth of accumulated rust — beginning with a review of airport operations.
"Despite our improving statistics, general aviation pilots' involvement in runway incursions continues to worry the FAA," said David Wright, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's director of training. "That shouldn't be the case because runway incursions are almost completely preventable."
The online course, "Runway Safety," reviews everything a pilot needs to know about operating in a busy airport environment.
Online offerings are available ( www.asf.org); click on the Online Courses button.
AOPA AIRPORT SUPPORT NETWORK
Public-use airports in the United States are closing at the rate of about one every two weeks. The AOPA Airport Support Network designates one volunteer per airport to watch for threats and encourage favorable public perception of general aviation. For more information on how you can help support your airport, visit AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/asn/).
Action in the States
Arizona. Tucson: Ryan Field ASN volunteer Barbara Harper was recently named to the Governor's Advisory Council on Aviation. She says that the Tucson Airport Authority, which manages Ryan Field, has adopted a policy calling on real estate developers and property owners to provide avigation easements and home-buyer disclosure statements for proposed residential developments around the airport.
Michigan. Troy: ASN volunteer Charles Griswold has been working with the manager at Oakland-Troy Airport to develop an alternative to a plan that would remove 270 feet of asphalt and a taxiway from the approach end of Runway 9. The plan was developed to answer complaints about car windshields allegedly broken as jet aircraft applied full power for takeoff. Griswold and the Oakland County airport manager are looking at a blast fence as a more effective solution.
Volunteer of the Month: Peter Polen
When an out-of-town developer wanted to rezone the Pittsburgh-Monroeville Airport in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, from commercial to residential, AOPA Airport Support Network volunteer Peter Polen sprang into action.
Polen recognized the inherent danger of this rezoning effort. It would destroy the 52-year-old airport and put 350 homes in its place. Since the Pittsburgh-Monroeville Airport is a privately owned, public-use airport with no federal or state funding and it is not listed in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), the initial outlook was bleak.
But Polen went to work anyway. He contacted the airport manager and through him found that the airport owner, Helen Brown, opposed closing the airport. She wanted to keep it open as a memorial to her late husband. With that support, Polen then reached out to the local business community to determine the economic value of the airport. In his research, he also discovered that the airport served as an essential "staging area" for public safety and welfare operations. Both the Pennsylvania State Police and the Monroeville Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol's Pennsylvania Wing use the airport for disaster-preparedness training missions.
After concluding his research, Polen took his findings to the ASN headquarters staff, which wrote a detailed letter to the Planning Commission chair of the Municipality of Monroeville outlining the benefits of the airport. Polen attended the Planning Commission meeting and presented additional comments in support of the airport. Ultimately the Planning Commission rejected the rezoning request. So Pittsburgh-Monroeville Airport will remain as a memorial to Brown's husband and can continue to support the local economy as well as the safety and public-welfare interests of Western Pennsylvania, thanks to Polen's grass-roots activism.
AOPA ASN Volunteer Update
FACT: Volunteers Help AOPA Save Airports
Each month, the AOPA Airport Support Network staff works with numerous volunteers across the country to help protect local airports. In fact, in 2004 we worked with volunteers at more than 400 airports.
Whether it's preventing incompatible land use or keeping an airport open, one thing holds true: ASN volunteers' local efforts and knowledge are major contributing factors to any successful effort undertaken by AOPA.
The ASN program currently has more than 1,700 members helping AOPA save airports. In this issue's "Volunteer of the Month" column we congratulate Peter Polen, ASN volunteer for Pittsburgh-Monroeville Airport, for his outstanding efforts to save his local airport. Polen's extensive research and outreach in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, provided AOPA with the necessary facts to successfully make a case to the mayor and council members that the airport is a viable and integral part of the area's economy.
In Washington State, thanks to the actions of ASN volunteer Annie Brogan, AOPA was able to weigh in with port officials at Anacortes Airport regarding proposed fencing issues that also involved a controversial land-buy-back plan and potentially pricey associated expenditures. Brogan alerted AOPA about the local political battles after it became clear the airport was caught in the throes of this heated debate.
Although not every action AOPA takes guarantees a total victory for local pilots, the fact that the volunteers are on duty keeping watch sends one very clear message to anti-airport groups; as FAA Administrator Marion Blakey once said, "If you want to get to my airport, you have to come through me first." Thanks to our volunteers, 1,700 airports across the country have a 24-hour surveillance system. Does your airport? To find out, visit the ASN Web site ( www.aopa.org/asn/) and click on the Volunteers Needed at These Airports link, and then select your state.
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