Did I understand the last AOPA bulletin right in that TSA is planning to start regulating 300 small airports??? http://download.aopa.org/epilot/2009/090106lasp_airports.pdf I am not sure what that means. Hope it doesn't mean I have to wear a badge and go through airport security to get into my Ercoupe...
Anyway, I wrote the comments below in response to the TSA LASP (Large Aircraft Security Proposal). I encourage each to educate themselves in relation to this subject, and according to his / her degree of concern, submit comments before the Feb 27 deadline. Is it just me, or is the TSA going out of control? Eliacim COMMENTS TO TSA-2008-0021-0001 We appreciate the good job done so far preventing terrorist attacks on the United States. However, TSA's Large Aircraft Security Proposal is an incredibly burdensome rule, with negligible benefits, if any, on public safety. The low weight limit proposed includes many private, corporate and historical aircraft, which do not represent a significant safety risk and whose operation will be incredibly burdened, and in some cases completely shut down, by these requirements. I am a sport pilot with a tie down on one of the additional 300 airports that the TSA is proposing to regulate. The TSA proposal will unnecessarily increase security costs for this airport, which will be passed on to tie down tenants. In a time when all sectors of the economy are struggling, we can't afford to unnecessarily burden General Aviation, and the communities these small airports serve, with a rule that provides negligible, if any benefits. Why can't the TSA engage AOPA, EAA and NBAA and work on a less costly, less intrusive agreement? General Aviation has not been a threat to public safety. The World Trade Center 1993 bombing was carried on with a van. The Oklahoma City bombing was carried on with a truck. Wouldn't it make more sense for the TSA to spend their efforts, say, regulating truck and van access to populated areas, which is a true, proven threat? Crazy, but would make more sense than applying airline type security to 12,500 pound airplanes and small airports, which the TSA wants to do!
