Markets

Large Aircraft Security Proposal Threatens to Strangle General Aviation

By Brett Snyder

Updated on: February 25, 2009 / 8:46 PM EST / MoneyWatch

The TSA's Large Aircraft Security Proposal (pdf) sounds harmless enough, right? I mean, big airplanes should have security, I'd say. But as you've probably guessed, this rule isn't all that it seems, and it actually has the potential to be extremely harmful.

In short, this would effectively apply security similar to what is required on commercial aircraft to charter/private airplanes with a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of more than 12,500 pounds. Not sure how big that is? Let me introduce you to the King Air 350 with its 15,000 pound MTOW.

This is not a big plane, and the idea that when it's in private operation it should face the same security as a commercial airplane is laughable. Do we need to screen all five passengers that are traveling together from the same company? Should we not let them on with a knife just because they're on a plane instead of anywhere else? Please. . . . This would put another dagger in the heart of general aviation, an industry that has already taken more than its share of pain this year.

This is just another overreaction from the TSA. For more information, I'd recommend visiting Jetwhine and reading the official response from the National Business Aviation Association. The public is invited to comment through this Friday.