Clamp Down on General Aviation???

Guest Discussion
1

Read the following article which was in the Washington Post and write a thoughtful post to them. Education is the answer, not name calling. There are millions of reasons why GA is good for America. Give them a few.

BillW

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Clamp Down on General Aviation
By Joseph A. Kinney

Tuesday, September 25, 2001; Page A23 Since Sept. 11 much welcome discussion has been focused on ways to increase commercial airline security, which has often been lacking. But there is another, equally frightening problem: the small, private aircraft that clog our skies and populate small, often remote, countryside airports.

General aviation, which serves business and recreational fliers, encompasses 7,120 jets and about 25,000 multi-engine aircraft flown by about 200,000 pilots who have instrument ratings. Each of these larger planes could easily be transformed into a weapon of mass destruction if it were laden with explosives.

The sheer number of planes tells only part of the story. Anyone who has visited a general aviation facility knows that security is often poor or, more often, nonexistent. Most of these facilities have no aircraft control towers or patroling security officers. Worst of all, there is no requirement at these facilities that aircraft be locked, and many are left open or are protected by locks that can be opened in a matter of seconds. In most cases, starting a plane is easier than igniting the engine of a stolen car.

Before and after takeoff, there are few restrictions upon general aviation. The pilots simply file a flight plan with traffic controllers, often in distant locations, and away they go. Nothing can be done to stop them from entering urban airspace. As any pilot knows, these small aircraft frequently wander into restricted airspace, often jeopardizing commercial or military aircraft.

All aircraft should be locked and secured. Larger general aviation airports should be fenced and have controled entry. Ignition devices should be modified to eliminate the possibility of unauthorized use. Airspace around larger cities should be further restricted to prohibit entry by such aircraft. This may mean curtailing landing rights of such aircraft at commercial airports.

Such measures might make life more difficult for the general aviation industry. But if security experts continue to focus strictly on commercial aviation, we may find ourselves guilty, once again, of fighting the last war only to see ourselves outsmarted by a more creative foe.

– Joseph A. Kinney

is a security consultant in Charlotte, N.C.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company
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Write them now! This is scary stuff. BillW

2

Will write, but do you have a good e-mail address for them?

3

Read the following article which was in the Washington Post and write a thoughtful post to them. Education is the answer, not name calling. There are millions of reasons why GA is good for America. Give them a few.

BillW

--------start------------

Clamp Down on General Aviation
By Joseph A. Kinney

Tuesday, September 25, 2001; Page A23 Since Sept. 11 much welcome discussion has been focused on ways to increase commercial airline security, which has often been lacking. But there is another, equally frightening problem: the small, private aircraft that clog our skies and populate small, often remote, countryside airports.

General aviation, which serves business and recreational fliers, encompasses 7,120 jets and about 25,000 multi-engine aircraft flown by about 200,000 pilots who have instrument ratings. Each of these larger planes could easily be transformed into a weapon of mass destruction if it were laden with explosives.

The sheer number of planes tells only part of the story. Anyone who has visited a general aviation facility knows that security is often poor or, more often, nonexistent. Most of these facilities have no aircraft control towers or patroling security officers. Worst of all, there is no requirement at these facilities that aircraft be locked, and many are left open or are protected by locks that can be opened in a matter of seconds. In most cases, starting a plane is easier than igniting the engine of a stolen car.

Before and after takeoff, there are few restrictions upon general aviation. The pilots simply file a flight plan with traffic controllers, often in distant locations, and away they go. Nothing can be done to stop them from entering urban airspace. As any pilot knows, these small aircraft frequently wander into restricted airspace, often jeopardizing commercial or military aircraft.

All aircraft should be locked and secured. Larger general aviation airports should be fenced and have controled entry. Ignition devices should be modified to eliminate the possibility of unauthorized use. Airspace around larger cities should be further restricted to prohibit entry by such aircraft. This may mean curtailing landing rights of such aircraft at commercial airports.

Such measures might make life more difficult for the general aviation industry. But if security experts continue to focus strictly on commercial aviation, we may find ourselves guilty, once again, of fighting the last war only to see ourselves outsmarted by a more creative foe.

– Joseph A. Kinney

is a security consultant in Charlotte, N.C.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company
-------end---------

Write them now! This is scary stuff. BillW

Oh my God, another “know it all messiah” tell me his email and I will tell him he got it wrong. There are thousands of GA planes ,yet, how many aircraft are stolen in a year? I bet less than 10??

Mario

4

I beg to differ. Look guy’s and gal’s don’t get me wrong. I dislike government interference in any part of our lives . But the guy that wrote the article has a valid and good point! We can not ignore the risk of leaving the GA fleet unsecured. Is is like sticking our heads in the sand. No one would think of leaving a car parked on a steep incline without the parking brake engaged, right? Right now the incline is very steep for GA ! Heaven forbid something unspeakable happens with a GA aircraft stuffed full of explosives or chemicals. Should this happen we can kiss our flying freedom goodbye for a long time. I propose a preventative and proactive approach. We should as pilots unite and do our civic duty and prevent such a thing from ever happening. How? It is very simple but it has to happen fast! Every GA aircraft on US soil should have an anti-theft device on it. Whether it is as simple and low tech as a prop lock or mixture lock or a wheel lock. It should be illegal to leave your plane parked without it. Pilots should institute a neighbourhood watch on their airfields and report any suspected activity. Furthermore AOPA and the FAA need to figure out a way to positively authenticate every pilot on the wheel. Sounds tough but is should not be such a big deal considering the availability of technological means and the gravity of the situation. Sure it will be an inconvenience but I think not too bad considering the alternative. I am an active GA pilot who values my right, priviledge and joy to fly an airplane and I don’t want terrorists to do harm to our families and our nation and truly destroy the GA business forever. Please do not SPAM me…just my opinion trying to figure our how to keep us flying happy!

5

Two thoughts -

  1. GA Pilots must very careful in reacting to the near hysteria gripping the US. Phil Boyer has done a great job, but his recent comment taken out of context that current VFR NOTAM’s were “lunacy” do not help.

  2. The people running our govt. are the not the best and brightest. They and the majority of the population are dangerous to the health of GA and possibly dangeous to our country. There is no terrorist crisis. This was a one shot - passengers will never let anyone take over a plane - (I always told my family if they were on a hijacked plane they should fight back immediately. The first 60 seconds are when you have a very good chance. Now at least a few passengers will fight to the death and create enough chaos to permit pilots to take evasive action (roll the plane 60 degrees should do it.)

So - everyone needs to calm down - private pilots as the 2nd most discriminated against group in America today need to lead the way.

6

FWIW,

I wrote to: letters@washpost.com

Urge others to do so.

7

FWIW,

I wrote to: letters@washpost.com

Urge others to do so.

You can also write Mr Kinney, to help him understand GA better…his address is jakinney@earthlink.net. This comes from the website “safespaces.com” which one may look at to ascertain, that in fact he is totally unqualified to make this commentary.

8

Jonathon,

Upon visiting SafeSpaces.com, I could find no reference to Mr. Kinney or his personal qualifications.

Where’d you get your information about his qualifications? I’d like to know before writing to the Washington Post.

Pete

FWIW,

I wrote to: letters@washpost.com

Urge others to do so.

You can also write Mr Kinney, to help him understand GA better…his address is jakinney@earthlink.net. This comes from the website “safespaces.com” which one may look at to ascertain, that in fact he is totally unqualified to make this commentary.

9

Upon visiting SafeSpaces.com, I could find no reference to Mr. Kinney or his personal qualifications.

Where’d you get your information about his qualifications? I’d like to know before writing to the Washington Post.

Pete

Here is some more info on Mr. Kinney (from the Mooney list; they are also forming a lynching party)

RE: Joseph A. Kinney

Our man is a author/lecturer: http://www.talewins.com/Kinney.htm

His resume lists no direct or indirect AVIATION expertise of any kind but he
has some following in the “Violence in the Workplace” arena. He wrote a book
in 1995 on the subject and stayed close since.

He has a new book (2000) “Conquering Violence from Within”.

Herewith a quote therefrom: " There was Timothy McVeigh, an unthreatening man
of slight build and boyish complexion, shackled for his dastardly crime, his
body shielded by law enforcement as he made his way to a vehicle for the trip
to the courthouse. The cries for justice overwhelmed the valiant and even
remarkable history of this young and flawed man." WOW! is all I can say.

He was a “aide” in the Senate and Governor’s Conferences (1974-84), according
to his references. Wonder which Senator/Governor he was serving. Might tell
a lot.

He is listed as having two graduate degrees although the subjects are not
revealed. Can just about bet they’re not revenant to the security issue.

He is listed as the principal of the “National Safe Workplace Institute” at
2400 Crownpoint Executive Dr., Charlotte, NC (704) 841-1175. Don’t know who
funds it.

His publisher lists him as having served in 'Nam with the USMC and receiving
a Purple Heart.

My opinion: His writing indicates to me that he had combat exposure and may
still be attempting to reconcile it within himself. I’ve got a feeling that
he is a guy with some VERY tangental credentials that the Post used to fill
space. I also have a feeling that he is NOT a bad guy. Just one who was
willing to pass his opinion off as expertise to get some exposure for himself
and maybe a few bucks.

It’s kind of sad… the guy just may have something worth saying about
“Violence: its causes and remedies” but he chose to take a cheap shot
instead. Maybe the Post was too full of that already that day. It’s
normally pretty full of it anyway.

10

I do agree but if they can steal an airliner what will stop them from stealing a single or a twin more likely. I will personaly always keep my sr20 locked up at any time on the ramp awy from home base. From Don