EAA and Warbird Members Urged to Respond to TSA’s Ominous Proposal
November 11, 2008 — As reported last month, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has proposed sweeping security rules for the operation of aircraft that weigh more than 12,500 pounds. The proposed regulation, titled the Large Aircraft Security Program, would require owners of those aircraft to obtain permission from TSA to operate their own personal aircraft every time they carry passengers. Additionally, all flight crews would be required to undergo fingerprinting and a background check, all passengers would have to be vetted against the government’s terrorist watch lists, and numerous security requirements would be imposed on airports serving these “large” aircraft. EAA adamantly opposes this regulation and urges all members to respond to TSA.
In early November, the TSA did extend the comment period on the proposal, as EAA and other aviation groups had requested. Instead of the original comment deadline of December 29, 2008, TSA extended the comment period until February 27, 2009. EAA had asked for 90-day extension, but was nonetheless pleased with TSA’s prompt action.
“We thank the TSA for agreeing with the many industry group and EAA members’ requests for an extension, providing an additional two months to study and react to the proposal,” said Doug Macnair, EAA vice president of government relations. “This proposal would be an unprecedented restriction on the freedom of movement for private U.S. citizens. It would also, for the first time, require governmental review and authority before a person could operate his/her own personal transportation conveyance.
“I would think many more people, such as owners of large recreational vehicles, also would share many of the same concerns aircraft owners have about this proposed regulation.”
How to Submit a Comment
To comment - refer to Docket No. TSA-2008-0021, “Large Aircraft Security Program, Other Aircraft Operator Security Program, and Airport Operator Security Program.”
By Mail, In Person or Fax to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington DC 20590-0001. Fax 202-493-2251.
To comment electronically - access the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.Regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
You can review all the public comments to the TSA security proposal at the docket site on www.Regulations.gov.
EAA and It’s Warbirds of America Division Rallies Members to Demand More Time to Comment on Onerous TSA Proposals
November 6, 2008 — EAA is asking its members and the general aviation community to follow its lead in requesting an extension of the period during which citizens may comment on sweeping regulatory changes being proposed by the Transportation Security Administration. The TSA’s proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) would place numerous requirements on the operation of all aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds.
The current deadline is December 29, 2008. Last week EAA submitted a formal request urging TSA not only to extend the comment period until March 31, 2009, but also to schedule public hearings to examine the potential effects of LASP on owners and operators of personal and recreational aircraft. See comment instructions.
Now EAA is encouraging members to follow suit.
“The TSA’s proposal would create a major shift in the role of the federal government regarding the freedom of movement for private U.S. citizens,” EAA’s request read. “It would, for the first time, require governmental review and authority before a person could operate his/her own personal transportation conveyance. This significant intrusion into the lives of ordinary citizens and vast expansion of governmental authority must not be entered into lightly.”
Requirements contained in the proposal include fingerprinting and performing background checks on all flight crews, vetting passengers against the government’s terrorist watch lists prior to every flight, and imposing numerous security requirements on airports serving “large” aircraft.
“Such a significant shift that allows the government to review and approve the explicit rights of its citizens to assemble and the implicit right to their freedom of movement pose potentially substantial Constitutional rights issues and significant cost burdens,” EAA's request stated.
Accordingly, EAA encourages like-minded aviation enthusiasts to request an extension of the public comment period. Additional time is required to study this comprehensive rulemaking proposal and its potential ramifications. (Read more)
TSA Aviation Proposals Raise Civil Liberties Questions
EAA and allies appeal for extension of comment period
October 29, 2008 — Upon receiving and reviewing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that the Transportation Security Administration issued today, EAA immediately objected to the posted public-comment period of only 60 days. The NPRM calls for sweeping new security requirements on the operation of all aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds – commercial and personal-use aircraft alike.
Because of the onerous requirements and encroachment on personal freedoms suggested in the NPRM, EAA contends that the NPRM should have a comment period of no less than 120 days. Several allies, including Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, an active EAA member, have joined EAA in filing objections to the comment period's 60-day duration.
"These proposed rules would have dramatic ramifications for aircraft operators," said Earl Lawrence, EAA vice president of industry and regulatory affairs. “Furthermore, they raise serious questions in the areas of interstate commerce, government authority, civil liberties, and Constitutional rights. Rulemaking proposals that present the potential for such dramatic consequences require more than a mere 60 days for public to study and comment on them.” (Read more)
Connie Bowlin Inducted Into Hall of Fame
October 24, 2008 - Established by EAA, the Sport Aviation Halls of Fame recognize the accomplishments and contributions of aviation’s pioneers. Since 1953, EAA and its members have been leaders and innovators in all aspects of recreational aviation—from homebuilding to warbirds, vintage to ultralights, aerobatics to flight instruction. While their interests are diverse, EAA members share a singular passion for the freedom that flight offers, and through the contributions they’ve made, aviation as a whole has benefited. To recognize these contributions, each year EAA inducts a new class of members into its Halls of Fame, each of them nominated by their peers.
On Friday, October 24, during a special ceremony in the EAA AirVenture Museum’s Eagle Hangar, seven special aviators were inducted into the EAA Sport Aviation Halls of Fame, including EAA Warbirds of America inductee Connie Bowlin. (Read More)
Hall of Fame Video
TSA Proposal Ensnares Historic Aircraft
October 16, 2008 — EAA is continuing its review of the Transportation Security Administration’s proposed Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP), which would require all U.S. operators of aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds maximum take-off weight (MTOW) to implement extensive TSA-approved security programs. As noted last week, EAA is concerned about the proposed security measures, which would include fingerprinting and background checks of flight crews; vetting passengers against the government’s terrorist watch lists prior to every flight; and security requirements for airports serving “large” aircraft.
TSA estimates that the proposal would affect more than 15,000 aircraft and more than 10,000 operators. The proposal caused immediate concern to operators of large business aircraft, but what has become increasingly clear is that many historic aircraft familiar to EAA members at air shows and other aviation events around the country would also be subject to the requirements.
EAA is concerned that the new proposals are very likely to impose highly restrictive operating requirements on these aircraft, many of which are flown in tribute to those who fought to secure the very freedoms now being threatened.
Over the past week EAA has begun to compile a list of historic aircraft examples that would fall under the proposed security regulations. EAA will continue to work with EAA Warbirds of America and the Vintage Aircraft Association to review the proposal and develop an appropriate response. (Read more)
A list of historic aircraft
World’s Only Civilian Harrier Debuts at Virginia Air Show
October 15, 2008 — The world’s first - and only - civilian-owned Harrier jump jet made a flawless debut performance on Saturday, October 11, at the 9th annual Culpeper Air Fest in Virginia. Art Nalls, EAA and Warbirds of America member, acquired the Sea Harrier FA/2 from Britain’s Royal Navy in 2005 and has spent the last three years getting it back into flying shape. His 12-minute demonstration flight closed the air show and included several high-speed passes (one clocked at 537-kts) and the Harrier’s trademark hovering exhibition at about 100 feet AGL.
A retired Marine Lt. Col pilot with more than 1,400 hours flying the Harrier AV8-A and B models, Nalls said the first public flight went about as planned. “Considering that was the third time I’ve done it in 16 years, I was pretty pleased with it,” he said. (Read more)
EAA Examining TSA Large Aircraft Security Program Proposal
Several concerns apparent on initial review
October 9, 2008 — EAA is reviewing a new proposal released Thursday morning (October 9) by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that would require all U.S. operators of aircraft exceeding 12,500 pounds maximum take-off weight (MTOW) to implement a TSA-approved security program. This is the first time that the government has proposed mandatory security programs on aircraft used for personal transportation. The proposal would implement a host of new security measures, including fingerprinting and background checks of flight crews, vetting passengers against the government’s terrorist watch lists prior to every flight, and security requirements for airports serving “large” aircraft.
The Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) TSA says, would “strengthen general aviation security by reducing “the susceptibility of large aircraft misuse by individuals wishing to harm the United States and its citizens.” But EAA’s initial review of the 260-page notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) raised several concerns. The agency is seeking public comments on the proposal in the next two months. (Read More)
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