KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Industry gets together to pre-empt the imposition of legislation by the USFAA
The business aviation industry has drawn up a list of short-term recommendations to strengthen security measures at "all aviation businesses" across the USA after the 11 September attacks. The move, which is designed to enhance further the appeal of business aircraft travel, is expected to pre-empt any future legislation imposed on the industry by the US Federal Aviation Administration.
The Business Aviation Security Task Force is drawn from all sectors of the industry including US trade bodies, headed by the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), charter and fractional ownership operators, fixed base operators, flight departments, training schools and aviation maintenance providers. NATA says: "These measures are designed to reassure the public and the government that safety measures are in place to prevent terrorism through the illegal use of business aircraft."
Although the recommendations are voluntary, the task force is urging aviation businesses to adopt the measures immediately. Security procedures include:
all employees with aircraft access must have FAA-compliant employment background verifications; all employees should be instructed and encouraged to challenge anyone not known to them or without proper identification when seen near an aircraft; verify all vehicles and escort them to their destination; inspect photo identification of all incoming and outgoing flight crews; gather passengers and baggage at one location inside the building; require the pilot-in-command to know all passengers; use security tape on aircraft doors when away from the aircraft and visually inspect wells for tampering prior to reboarding the aircraft.The task force is also drawing up near-term (30-60 days) and longer-term (up to a year) recommendations including "always on" transponders and "smart start" anti-theft devices.
Source: Flight International
