Mission Creep

Last month in this space, I wrote about the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and its proposed rule to expand airline-style security measures to private (i.e., Part 91) operations of aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds. The new proposal was formally released October 30, 2008. The proposed rule would require operators to assign a security director to oversee flight operations, obtain TSA approval for a security program addressing every operation of the aircraft, submit fingerprints of all flight-crew members and seek government approval of each passenger for each flight. A copy of the full, 67-page proposal is available in PDF format at this address: tinyurl.com/5nxn55. General aviations alphabet soup is expressing strong opposition to the proposal. Both AOPA and NBAA formally requested a comment-period extension, to 120 days, which the TSA granted. The new deadline is February 27, 2009.

Key Takeaways:

• The TSA proposed a rule (October 2008) to extend airline-style security measures to private aircraft over 12,500 pounds, requiring security directors, TSA-approved programs, crew fingerprints, and individual passenger approval for each flight.
• General aviation groups strongly oppose the proposal, arguing it raises serious questions about civil liberties, government authority, and is an example of "mission creep" without any identified security threat.
• The proposed rule would broadly impact general aviation operations and airports capable of handling large aircraft, requiring them to adopt security programs.
• The public was urged to submit comments on the proposal by February 27, 2009, to oppose its implementation.

Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->

See a mistake? Contact us.