CAA: GA News, "Rules still restrict small planes"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thursday, October 18, 2001

Rules still restrict small planes
The Detroit (MI) News

 
   WASHINGTON -- The chairman of a House aviation panel is threatening
to subpoena National Security Council officials to find out why many
restrictions have not been lifted on small airport operations such as
business charters, flight schools and aerial surveying. 

   At the urging of committee colleagues, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., said
he will issue the congressional subpoena because security council
officials have refused to appear before the committee. 

   The security council did not return a call for comment. 

   In Metro Detroit, the security measures have grounded the majority of
flights from Canton-Plymouth Mettetal, Grosse Ile, Willow Run in
Ypsilanti and Monroe Custer airports. The airports are within a
restricted 23-mile radius of Detroit Metropolitan Airport. 

   Although the federal government has gradually lifted many
restrictions in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, 132 of the
282 airports originally closed by the government remain shuttered.
Losses have been estimated so far at $400 million. 

   "After more than a month, I'm concerned that many of these businesses
have suffered irreparable damage and face financial disaster," Mica said
during a hearing Wednesday. 

   The Federal Aviation Administration this week began permitting
limited general aviation operations within 15 of the nation's 30 largest
metropolitan areas. Still, more than 65,000 pilots and 20,500 aircraft
remain grounded while the FAA awaits clearance from security officials.

   Post your opinion on this story in the CAA General Aviation Forum
http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID2

*****************************************