New York Congressman Hears GA ConcernsÂ… A New York congressman has pledged to work with general aviation groups and other members of Congress to address GA security concerns without unduly disrupting the industry. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) caused a big flap in Washington last week when he proposed a bill that would require airline-type security measures for all non-air-carrier aircraft. Weiner spokesman Anson Kaye told AVweb that on Wednesday, Weiner told the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure he would not introduce the bill as written and would consult with GA groups and other members of Congress on ways to achieve the bill's goals without crushing the industry. (Just maiming it.) Weiner's bill would have required the same level of screening for passengers on charter, air taxi and other non-scheduled services as is required for airlines. It would also prevent non-air-carrier aircraft from flying within 1,500 feet of any building or over a city with more than a million inhabitants. Aviation groups were naturally outraged.
...What He Meant, Not What He Said... While the effect of the proposed bill would be enormous, it had its start with a very narrow focus. Weiner told the House Committee on Wednesday that his primary focus was on helicopters but that he'd try to fashion a bill that accommodated the full range of GA security concerns. Weiner spokesman Kaye said, "There are a lot of people who are worried about how close those helicopters fly to their residences" in the city's taller buildings and that those concerns prompted the bill. Washington insiders told AVweb that Weiner's bill was a political long shot at best, and was unlikely to make it into the current legislative session, which ends in a few days. Weiner's comments on Wednesday virtually assure it won't see light of day in the current session. Said Kaye, "It seems appropriate to start thinking about how to make our skies safer from not only jumbo jets but from smaller aircraft." ...AOPA Pledges To Help Kaye said the congressman is not particularly worried about the practical implications of such a bill. He said it would be easy for the Transportation Security Administration to distribute their watch list to small aircraft operators. As for the physical screening of passengers and baggage, he said such measures are accepted as necessary. "For better or for worse, people are getting used to it," he said. AOPA spokesman Chris Dancy said his organization is willing to help Weiner modify his bill. "We'd like to work with Congressman Weiner to develop legislation that addresses his concerns but isn't a detriment to general aviation." Dancy said Weiner had obviously heard the concerns of the GA community. "We were pleased to hear him recognize that the original legislation was too broad."
