As baseball fans ramp up for the Major League Baseball All-Star game in St. Louis on July 14, the FAA and Transportation Security Administration are doing the same. Security at general aviation airports in the St. Louis area will be heightened in the days leading up to the event, in part because President Barack Obama is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the game.
The TSA has told AOPA that it will have Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) teams at seven GA airports: St. Louis Regional (ALN), St. Louis Downtown (CPS), Scott AFB/Mid-America (BLV), St. Charles County Smartt (SET), St. Charles (3SQ), Creve Coeur (1H0), and Spirit of St. Louis (SUS). The VIPR teams and FAA officials will be checking pilot certificates and identification and reminding pilots of the notams and temporary flight restrictions that will be in effect. The teams will not be screening baggage.
VIPR teams also will be increasing security for mass transit and commercial aviation.
AOPA encourages pilots to comply with the security checks. If any checks are more intrusive than a routine ramp check, members can contact AOPA via e-mail.
AOPA ePublishing staff
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