FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 20, 2002

NASAO PUBLISHES GENERAL AVIATION SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS

Washington, D.C. - The National Association of State Aviation Officials published a set of security recommendations for general aviation today.  The recommendations were written by a NASAO committee comprised of the state government aviation directors in nine geographically diverse states.  The full report may be downloaded from publications/pdf_files/NASAO_Security_Paper_2002.pdf.

The recommended security measures include securing unattended aircraft, the development of security plans for each airport, monitoring airport property and users and prohibiting unauthorized access to the airport.  The report urges the federal government to establish standards for a new aircraft pilot “smart card” to replace the current paper certificate.  It also calls for an additional federal funding source for general aviation security, separate from AIP.  Robert Mallard, the committee’s Chairman and the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission said,” These are commonsense guidelines that will enhance our nation’s security by limiting the opportunities of terrorists to steal or take command of general aviation aircraft”.

 Henry Ogrodzinski, NASAO’s President and CEO said,” These guidelines were not written in a vacuum.”  “The committee reviewed a great deal of existing data.  Most states have already issued general aviation security plans.  Some of the recommendations in this document are also very similar to positions taken by other advocates of general aviation because NASAO agrees with their views.  All of the associations representing the airports, airport businesses and aircraft operators have already made many positive contributions to increasing security.  NASAO looks forward to continuing to work with all of these groups as well as the Transportation Security Administration and the new Department of Homeland Security to establish greater security for all Americans.” 

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