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United States Pilots Association |
USPA officers and members are writing their Congressmen, and the alphabet groups are lining up in opposition to a new bill introduced by Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.). H.R. 5035 would require the Department of Homeland Security to create a method of screening all passengers and property on all flights of all passenger aircraft in the U.S., including GA aircraft of all types. It would also prohibit all non-airline aircraft from flying within 1,500’ of any structure or building, and prohibit non-airline aircraft from flying over any U.S. city with a population of 1 million or more. It would further require that all pilots of all aircraft in U.S. airspace remain in contact with the FAA.
With 17,000 landing facilities and nearly 200,000 aircraft in the U.S., it is unlikely the TSA could accomplish such screening, and they have repeatedly stated that GA is no greater threat than other forms of transportation. Perhaps it would be advisable for the TSA to also screen every driver and passenger and all cargo of every domestic automobile, truck, motorcycle, etc. operating in the U.S.?
Although it is not likely such an extreme bill will be passed, we should ASSUME nothing. If you agree GA should not and could not bear such restraints, please write your Congressman, or better yet, write ALL Congressmen, expressing your feelings. You can easily send emails through http://www.house.gov/.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association