Accidents, Safety, Security and Training » Security

While many in general aviation were seeking to modify or eliminate the much-loathed Washington air defense identification zone (ADIZ), the FAA executed a 180-degree course change early last month and issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to make the ADIZ permanent.

Despite the dramatic August 10 revelation of a terrorist plot to blow up transatlantic airliners departing from the UK, European Union (EU) transport officials have not accelerated their plans to rework the existing EC2320 aviation security regulations. The draft rules are next due to be discussed at a meeting of EU countries’ transport ministers on October 9.

In a recent letter to the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said it has “begun the process of developing and instituting a security oversight and monitoring program for fractional ownership aircraft.” The letter was the latest correspondence between the TSA and ECAC about the European organization’s concerns about the security aspects of fractional operations.

The call comes as the FAA released its draft environmental impact statement on its airspace redesign–a project involving 31,000 sq mi, five states and 21 major airports. Four redesign alternatives are under consideration, and the FAA will choose one after the public comment period ends on June 1. Workshops will be held throughout the five-state study area over the next three months.