Immediate Release
Contact
Rob Kulat: (732) 219-5816 or
Tom Carver: (609) 599-3031
NJAA PRODS THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION ON A YEAR OF INACTION
TRENTON (9/9/02) -- The New Jersey Aviation Association today called on federal authorities to establish understandable, realistic and sensible security regulations for the nation’s general aviation industry in a timely manner in order to stave off a potentially disjointed array of state laws nationwide.
“For the past year, the multi-billion dollar business and general aviation industry has been in a holding pattern waiting for the Transportation Security Administration to issue rules covering this critically important economic generator,” Association Chairman, Hugh McElroy said. “Unfortunately, individual state legislatures have begun to step into this vacuum proposing a patchwork of new legislation which has the potential to severely handicap aircraft operators and airports throughout the country. Proposed state legislation not only fails to offer tangible levels of increased security but could cripple operations, add excessive costs and confuse an industry which operates beyond the boundaries of any individual state.”
The Association represents all segments of the aviation industry including pilots, airport owners and operators, airlines, charter companies, aircraft manufacturers as well as aviation service companies operating in New Jersey.
In an effort to prod the TSA to have the federal government declare it has sole authority in such areas as pilot certification, a survey of NJAA membership showed strong support for federal identification of pilots as well as a standardized process for flight training applicants.
“Our members supported a photo identification card to supplement the existing licensing process as a logical measure,” said Tom Carver, NJAA President. “In addition, all airport personnel should carry ID badges, while working within airport operating areas.”
The Association has received considerable feedback from its members that General Aviation pilots should be responsible for securing their aircraft to ensure that planes cannot be commandeered by unauthorized parties. Although securing cockpit entry seems to be the preferred method, locking mechanisms for throttles, propellers, wheel locks or a combination of methods were also favored as sensible and cost effective security upgrades.
While the Association favors a level of increased identification and aircraft security, it does not believe in a uniform standard security encompassing every general aviation airport. According to Carver, “Obviously, there will be a need for different security procedures at a facility such as Teterboro or Morristown containing large turbine powered aircraft than an airport with a grass strip which caters primarily to light planes.”
“For example, Teterboro, which handles charter operations, is required to have perimeter fencing similar to commercial facilities such as Newark Liberty and Kennedy International. Requiring fences around small general aviation facilities would be an excessive response with little reward,” Carver noted. “We believe the industry is conscious of the need to establish appropriate security measures however, these measures must be tailored to the type of aircraft, level of operations and degree of activity at each airport,” Carver added.
The Association leaders urged all airports to coordinate security planning with municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies; since these respective agencies would likely be among the first to respond to a security problem. “Local law enforcement must be familiar with airport security measures, operating procedures and targets of opportunity such as fueling areas and aeronautical maintenance facilities,” Carver said. The Association intends to address this with the State Department of Transportation and airport operators during the upcoming weeks.
“The New Jersey aviation industry recognizes its responsibility and expresses a desire to operate at the highest practical level of safety and security. However, the federal government must also address its area of responsibility. Security concerns must be dealt with at the federal level to produce a consistent, reasonable approach across all US civilian airspace. “The federal government and the TSA has had ample time to consider security concerns at general aviation facilities. It is time to take appropriate action,” the McElroy concluded.
New Jersey Aviation Association
1 Airport Road, Morristown, NJ 07960-4651
Phone: 973 734 9994 - Fax: 973 734 9995
