TSA to regulate General Aviation

[FresnoR]

As manager of a small airport, and RV fan (really hoping to build one sooner rather than later), I would like to alert everyone who does not already know about the proposed regulations by the TSA, Large Aircraft Security Program, Other Aircraft Operator Security Program, and the Airport Security Program (LASP).

This is big, it will attempt to regulate the operations of private aircraft, warbirds and vintage aircraft, passengers, and pilots flying for personal or corporate use. At this point, it is limited to aircraft 12,500 pounds and over, but there is no doubt that number will be reduced as soon as the TSA needs a larger budget.

There is a huge movement to stop this by the AOPA, EAA, and other associations, please read into this, we need as many people to comment as possible. We were able to extend the comment deadline 60 days.

TSA Website:
http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2008/1009.shtm

EAA Warbirds info:
http://warbirds-eaa.org/index.html

EAA Article:
http://www.eaa.org/news/2008/2008-11-11_proposal.asp

AOPA Article:
http://www.aopa.org/advocacy/article...081009tsa.html

[az_gila]

...alter your airport master record to state a weight limit of 12,000 pounds or so....

I'm going to propose this to our Airpark. Other airpark residents might consider the same thing.

[rv7boy]

Originally Posted by az_gila

...alter your airport master record to state a weight limit of 12,000 pounds or so....

Gil, that might keep the dragon away for awhile, but in light of what he originally posted, i.e.,

"...At this point, it is limited to aircraft 12,500 pounds and over, but there is no doubt that number will be reduced as soon as the TSA needs a larger budget..."


...time might be better spent trying to slay the dragon.

We all need to be members of EAA and AOPA (even if we don't agree with everything they do) and we also need to let our Congressmen and Senators know how we feel.

As Barney Fife used to say, we need to "NIP IT! NIP IT! NIP IT!"

Don

[flyer46]

You can comment to the Feds on this potential reg here:
http://tinyurl.com/6oo5cm
I was #34 about 3 weeks ago. But it does not seem to do much good.

Here is a new reg the feds DHS/CBP put into affect today. You now need permission to both leave and enter the US, and it has to be done electronically, a manifest to include each person, etc etc
http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1226943273725.shtm

Sigh. Flying is getting more difficult if you want to go to backcountry strips north or south of the US. The way they define "United States" this reg includes trips from the lower 48 to Alaska and back.

[Bob Axsom]

As I understand it this affects all airports where these aircraft operate and thus all people and aircraft will be subject to the "filter" in whatever form it takes. The presence of that kind of controlling authority will impact everyone and all aircraft at airports where 12,500 lb aircraft operate. When the government management structure and workforce is employed to implement the new laws nothing will limit the power growth. Reduction of the freedom to fly will be the natural mission of the implementing organization.

Bob Axsom

[az_gila]

..it needs to be fought, and the dragon slain.

My thought was to exempt private airports (our Airpark) in the short term to give some breathing room -- until TSA realize there are other runways they don't control....

A weight limit note in the Airport Master Record is the "Controlling Authority" - just to prevent them catching you in their filter.

Originally Posted by rv7boy

Gil, that might keep the dragon away for awhile, but in light of what he originally posted, i.e.,

"...At this point, it is limited to aircraft 12,500 pounds and over, but there is no doubt that number will be reduced as soon as the TSA needs a larger budget..."


...time might be better spent trying to slay the dragon.

We all need to be members of EAA and AOPA (even if we don't agree with everything they do) and we also need to let our Congressmen and Senators know how we feel.

As Barney Fife used to say, we need to "NIP IT! NIP IT! NIP IT!"

Don

[FresnoR]

It will regulate airports that are considered "reliever" airports, and will regulate all operators with aircraft over the 12,500 lb threshold (this also includes warbirds that give rides at air shows). This will include:

-All crews and pilots to go through an extensive FBI background and fingerprint check
-All passengers to be compared against the terrorist watch list through the TSA
-TSA-Approved security plan
-Third-party audit of that plan 6 months after TSA approval and every 2 years thereafter
-an in-house security coordinator, being provided initial and recurrent training

Imagine how this can affect the economics and sustainability of the small business in the general aviation industry?

[skyfrog]

I wonder if this will prompt the use of some identification like the FlyClear program for all GA pilots and passengers. I hope not, (kill the dragon).

http://www.flyclear.com/

[kevinh]

Originally Posted by skyfrog

I wonder if this will prompt the use of some identification like the FlyClear program for all GA pilots and passengers. I hope not, (kill the dragon).

http://www.flyclear.com/

Especially because FlyClear (and the federal CAPS) program have been mathematically proven to be less secure than random screening.

The famous paper that proved this is here:

http://groups.csail.mit.edu/mac/clas...apers/caps.htm

[rv8ch]

The TSA will not do all the checking they will require for free - they already charge about 7 USD per trip. Get ready for more ridiculous costs and hassle.

If the government is going to mandate something stupid like this, they need to open it up to competition. Give the specifications for the checks that need to be done, and let either the airlines or other private companies have space at the airport to do the required checks. As soon as you set up a monopoly, we the people will get ripped off.

I am really disappointed that there are so few elected officials with the courage to stand up and decry this whole TSA charade as nothing more than security theatre. I guess we the sheeple are to blame, since we seem to just keep accepting it.