The Department of Homeland Security is proposing to extend to private aviation many of the security rules imposed on commercial airlines. Operators of international private-plane flights to and from the U.S. would be required to electronically provide full lists of passengers and crew one hour before departure. There also would be some limits on what people can take on board.
The proposal could affect air operators, but also fractional jet ownership companies of any airplane weighing more than 12,500 pound - nearly all of the jets will be over this limit. The meeting at Westchester County Airport was the first of five scheduled nationwide. More than a hundred aircraft owners argued that the proposed rule will have a major impact on general aviation. Also the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) the lobbying group for the private jet industry says the rules are “overly broad,” expensive and cumbersome.
The requirements will hit especially smaller airports, which do not have the funds to match the large airport security protocols. This adds cost and bureaucracy, but the new proposals will not significant enhance security. As the world is facing the most dangerous financial climate since the great depression, is this the time to harm an industry which already has suffered that much?
More information at: http://www.nbaa.org/news/pr/2009/20090106-001.php
Homeland Security is proposing to extend to private aviation many of the security rules imposed on commercial airlines. Homeland Security and TSA do they really know what they are doing? They make all these changes on the private aviation industry. But they look the other way when Air Canada Jetz, a Canadian charter service that fly’s professional sports teams and corporate clients,to fly in and out of the USA with absolutely no security screening. This company has completely re-configured four of its Airbus A320 aircraft to offer its clients comfort, and of course convenience their clients save lots of time without having to screen, a very big convenience to them, but where is the safety? As I said before TSA and Homeland Security must think that an Airbus A320 can not do any harm, because it’s Canadian. What only USA airlines are vulnerable? They need to make all the rules across the board, if they are carrying passengers.