General Aviation Security - Federal, State, Local Coordinated National Response

he aircraft and pilots of America’s General Aviation community do not pose a significant terrorist threat to the U.S. In fact, no General Aviation aircraft has ever been used in an act of terror anywhere in the world. Nonetheless, the General Aviation community takes security concerns very seriously. As a result, a proactive, nationally coordinated security partnership has been hard at work since shortly after September 11, 2001 to safeguard America’s General Aviation aircraft and airports from potential acts of terror.

The primary participants include federal and state government, major cities, local municipalities, airports, flight schools, aircraft rental facilities, aircraft maintenance facilities, aircraft owners, pilots, the military, and all levels of law enforcement. Together they’ve deployed a multi-layered system of proven security procedures to identify and thwart an act of terror involving a General Aviation aircraft before it occurs.

States Enhance GA Security

The typical General Aviation pilot has witnessed tremendous changes with numerous new security requirements. Pilots are carefully screened, their names are cross-checked against terrorist watch lists, new security procedures have been implemented and equipment installed at General Aviation airports, and the airspace anywhere in the country can be closed or restricted at anytime.

At many of the nation’s 5,261 public-use airports, the local pilots, airport managers, law enforcement officials, and first responders are a critical element of General Aviation security. In coordination with federal and local officials, every state in America has taken steps to review and enhance GA security. Here are some examples >

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