The Federal Government and general aviation industry have implemented nearly 30 programs since 2001 to enhance general aviation security:

GOVERNMENT ACTIONS

Pilots

Advanced screening of pilot databases.

New counterfeit-resistant airman certificates.

Photo ID requirement.

Training restrictions for foreign pilots.

Background checks for non-U.S. licensed pilots seeking U.S. pilot's certificate.

Background checks for candidates seeking flight training in aircraft weighing more than 12,500 pounds.

Alien Flight Training Rule requires proof-of-citizenship (including U.S. citizens) prior to beginning flight training. Foreign flight students must complete a background check with Transportation Security Administration prior to training.

Also requires all active flight instructors to undergo and document security awareness training.

Commercial Operators/Businesses

Charter Flight Security Program requires non-scheduled commercial operators (charters) provide a level of security equivalent to that of scheduled airlines.

Flight school security measures improve security against the unauthorized use of a flight school or rental aircraft.

Flight school security awareness training requires employees be trained to recognize "suspicious circumstances and activities of individuals enrolling or attending" a flight school.

Airports/Airspace

Washington DC Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) and Department of Defense Airspace Restrictions.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is closed to all but a handful of general aviation operations except those which meet stringent security standards.

"DC-3" Special Flight Rules Area within 15 miles of Washington DC limits access at Potomac Airpark, Washington Executive/Hyde Field and College Park Airport to only cleared and vetted pilots operating in compliance with specific flight planning and Air Traffic Control procedures.

Limits on flights over stadiums.

No flights over nuclear facilities.

INDUSTRY ACTIONS

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) developed the Airport Watch program using the nation's 650,000 pilots that is supported by a TSA centralized toll-free hotline.

Airports & Airport Tenants have implemented physical security upgrades.

The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) "General Aviation Airport Security Task Force" developed security and threat assessment guidelines based on airport characteristics.

The General Aviation Coalition's recommendations for general aviation security have been implemented.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), works with the U.S. Department of the Treasury to help aircraft sellers identify unusual financial transactions or otherwise suspicious customer behavior.

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) coordinates security guidelines for pre-screening helicopter pilots, and for firefighting, offshore operations, Electronic News Gathering (ENG) sporting events, utility patrol requirements and heliport security.

The National Agricultural Aircraft Association (NAAA) produced security awareness training for 2,000 people involved in aerial application and coordinated industry-wide FBI background investigations.

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) developed extensive operational security measures for its members.

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) developed widely used security recommendations and best practices for flight schools and flight instructors.

The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) developed recommendations for airport security.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in conjunction with the TSA developed the TSA Access Certificate (TSAAC) program for establishing secure operations.

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) disseminated detailed security recommendations to its 219 skydiving clubs and centers across the U.S.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) led the development of new regulations which register previously unregistered ultralight aircraft and pilots.

GENERAL AVIATION SECURITY NOTES

"The small size, lack of fuel capacity, and minimal destructive power of most general aviation aircraft make them unattractive to terrorists and, thereby, reduce the possibility of threat associated with their misuse."

Source: Government Accountability Office
November 2004 Report (GAO 05-144) on General Aviation Security

 

The typical General Aviation aircraft (Cessna 172 and similar) weighs less fully loaded than a Honda Civic weighs empty, and carries less fuel and fewer passengers than an SUV. A Boeing 767 can weigh more than 400,000 pounds and carry 25,000 gallons of fuel.

Source: AOPA

 

In 2002, 13 General Aviation aircraft, mostly single engine piston aircraft, were stolen. Six aircraft were stolen in 2003: five light single engine aircraft and one medium twin engine aircraft. There are about 211,000 active registered General Aviation aircraft in the U.S.

Source: Aviation Crime Prevention Institute, Inc.

 

"General Aviation airports vary greatly in size, function and operational characteristics. Just as all commercial service airports differ in their security needs the same is true with General Aviation airports. Required adherence to a single requirement across the nation is physically and economically impossible and clearly not reasonable. TSA must instead focus on managing the risk associated with General Aviation facilities recognizing the characteristics that define each facility."

Source: TSA Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports, May 2004