Shortsighted ... ridiculous ... outrageous ... lunacy ... these are just a few of the terms that quickly filled the air after U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) introduced a bill into the House last week that would impose onerous security procedures on general aviation. The bill (H.R. 5035) would require the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the screening of all passengers and property on each flight of every passenger aircraft in the U.S. -- including general aviation aircraft of all types. It would also prohibit any non-airline aircraft from flying within 1,500 feet of any structure or building and prohibit non-airline aircraft from flying over any U.S. city with a population of 1 million or more. Land of the free, home of the brave. It would further require that pilots of all aircraft in U.S. airspace remain in contact with the FAA, presumably by radio, regardless of altitude or location. "It's sad that the solemn anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is being used to introduce this bill, which does nothing to enhance security and smacks of election-year grandstanding," said EAA's Doug Macnair, vice president of government relations. "Preposterous, unrealistic, and unnecessary," were the choice words from AOPA President Phil Boyer. "General aviation is not a threat. The TSA has already said so."
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