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 288
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 expanding airline-style security measures to private aircraft weighing over 12,500 pounds, requiring security directors, program approval, crew fingerprints, and individual passenger clearance.
- General aviation organizations strongly oppose the proposal, labeling it "mission creep" and raising serious concerns about civil liberties, government authority, and the lack of an identified security threat.
- The rule could broadly impact many airports and general aviation operations, prompting a call for public comments by the extended deadline of February 27, 2009.
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