AIRPORT SECURITY'S CHANGING COURSE: GENERAL AVIATION BECOMES FOCUS

General aviation has generally been ignored in air transportation security regulations. However, after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the general aviation industry and the government began working on a solution that would extend security regulations to general aviation. Two main general aviation security objectives have been established: protect passengers and aircraft from attack, and prevent aircraft from being used as weapons. However, general aviation airports currently are not subject to Transportation Security Administration security requirements. Various task forces and other groups have developed some best practices and recommendations for general aviation security. To standardize these recommendations, the Transportation Security Administration has established a working group to develop security guidelines that would be consistent throughout the U.S. general aviation community. The group's final recommendations are due in early 2004.