Commercial airport security changes can squeeze GA
AOPA is working to minimize constraints
The pilot of a single-engine airplane lands at a small commercial-service airport and is cleared to taxi to the transient parking area on the public ramp. On arrival at parking, however, two surprises are waiting: The transient parking area has been downsized to a few tiedown spaces since the pilot’s previous visit—and a security guard is waiting to escort the arriving aviator and passengers to the fixed-base operation.
Why the changes?
An airport’s operational and infrastructure changes associated with security upgrades can be extensive and costly. Along with restricting or relocating parking or access points, airport management may also be required to conduct security screening and issue identification badges to hundreds of employees and other personnel authorized to enter movement areas.
That’s when the scenario can become tricky for transient pilots and their passengers. Transient pilots lack locally issued security credentials—a technicality that has prompted at least one airport, now coping with increased security obligations, to hire security guards to escort transient pilots and their passengers to and from secured portions of the airport and augment the fixed-base operator’s other security measures, and curtail general aviation parking near airline operations, citing a safety concern about jet blasts.
The scenario is not unique. AOPA has responded to member reports of adverse effects of security changes at airports that are expanding their commercial service or intend to attract larger carriers. AOPA has opened discussions with airport administrations to ensure that access to airport facilities is not curtailed.
AOPA members can help the association work on their behalf by notifying AOPA of changes they observe that are linked to security procedures at commercial-service airports, said Nobuyo Sakata, AOPA director of aviation security.
“Transient pilots may observe changes in airport security procedures when they fly to relatively small commercial-service airports,” she said. “Especially if you become aware that an airport has announced increased or additional commercial service, you may notice changed security procedures at the GA ramp as well.”
AOPA consistently works with airport operators and the TSA to minimize the impact of security requirements for commercial operations on GA operations. Security resources and courses are available on AOPA’s website.
